Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1849-01-20
ANNUAL MESSAGE
OF THE GOVERNOR OF WISDOM
SIN.
Felloar Citi-ens of the Senate
and assembly:


again come together to legislate for the wei
fare of the State, and to pass such measures
as will advance and preserve their rights
and prosperity. The condition of our State,
in all its diversified interests, presents graf
flying spectacle of successful enterprise, and
the abundant products yielded TO the hand
/ of toll, IN all the branches of labor, exhibits
a capabllity of resources unsurpassed. Our
population is rapidly increasing, and their
indomitable energy is fast developing the
productive capacity of the State IN every
branch of industrial pursuit.
In viewing the prospects of our State, 1t
is source OF high qualification that we pos
sess all the elements OF State wealth, and of
individual prosperity aud happiness. All
our great interests are advancing and sue
cesstully extended. Recent discoveries have
opened IN various parts OF the State rich
beds of iron ore, which Is SAID To he unsur-
passed in quality aud richness, and mex
baustibe ia quantity. The county OF Dodge
is the seat of one of the beas discovered,
aud is obtained with great facility. fufna-
ces are now IN process OF erection at this
mine, for smelling and manufacturing the
ore. The county north of the Wisconsin
river, is also sand To abound IN this mineral.
Should the reasonable antcipatons, as 10
the productlveness and value OF these mines
be realized, the advantages, resulting to the
State, will be iDcalculable, and another great
interest will be added 10 its internal wealth.
The National Government has recently
effected a treaty with the Menomonee lndl-
ans, by which their title has been eXtlnguish-
ed TO the country north of the Fox river,
embracing all their lands in the State. This
is an important acquisition, as 1t opens
Element, and has been for long time greatly
desired by that section of country. These
lands are said 10 he well adapted TO agricul-
tural purposes, possessing soil rich and
productive. Ii has saubrious climate, is
we'll watered, with sufficient hydraulic pow
err for all necessary manufacturing purposes,
and abounds in fine timber, which will add
greatly to our numbering interest. Our in
creaslng migration, and the adventurous
enterprise of the American character will
soon make these wilds of the Indian the
happy homes of an eRterprizng and indus
trous people ana the trail of the savage
will soon be turned into the pathway of
civilized life.
The Unprecedented rapidity with which
our State has been settled, the rapid devel-
opment of its physical resources, aud the
intelligence of Its people, are subjects of
rational pride. From these facts it is evil
dent tina: Wisconsin possesses superior adj
vanIages, and to these advantages and TO
her liberal institutions, is to be attributed
the high comparative position wh'ch she
occupies among the new States of the fed
eral union.
The government of the Union and of the
several States, being based upon the prnc-
pies of equality Of rights, the great object
of Legislation Is, to secure and preserve that
equality, both to the States and TO every
member Of the community. But while such
is the basis of our national and State insti-
tutions, there is, incident to this, principle
of no less importance TO individual happl-
ness and The moral elevation of the people,
that Should not be lost sight of by statesmen
and philanthropists, and that is the equality
lof the social relations. The equilibrium of
the social condition of the people is the
greatest safeguard to the permanency of our
institutions, and will produce the largest
amount OF individual happiness and pros
perity. The nearer the members of COM
munity approximate TO this equality IN their
relative condition, in wealth, IN education,
and in all Tie social duties of life, the great
or will he the extent of their rational ENJOY
ment. la enlightened Europe, where So
cial inequality exists to All alarming extent,
the amount of misery, want and depravlty,
among the masses of the people is incredi-
bic ; and he inquiry may well be made
whether the present struggles IN the Euro
pean nations for the establishment Of con-
stitutiona liberty is not more the result of
this inequality than the unequal distribution
Of political rights. While our own country
possesses an approximate equality as well
z - 4 nf
citizens, it Iehooves those III whose hands
/ its legislation is entrusted TO take care that
its equality il preserved as far "a possible,
and that the interests of the most humble
are cared for. Whether positive and direct
Legislation can be justly applied to extend
this equality, is predetermined but much
may be accomplished by avoiding all class
legislation, az the expense of the many Tor
the benefit of the few.
/ IN your hands is entrusted the high and
Irresponsible duty of legIslaiing for the good
Of the State, and by giving liberal dIrec-
ton to lis policy much may be done to Sc
cure the permanency of our Incompatible
system Of government, and TO promote the
progress of social equality aud political
4 freedom.
The term Of service Of one Of the repre-
lsentatiyes Of this State, IN the Senate OF the
Omitted States, will expire on the fourth OF
March next. The subject is brought to
your notice that the vacancy may DO suppl
ed at your present session.
The constitution, in the 18th article, pro-
vides that corporations, without banking
powers or privileges, may be formed under
general laws, bat shall not be created by
special act, except for municipal purposes,
and in cases where, IN the Judgment of the
legislature, the objects Of the corporation
cannot be attained under general laws.
From this clause in that instrument It Is ap-
parent that the power Of the legislature 10
pass special acts of incorporation IS restric-
ted 10 extraordinary cases, and that every