Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-12-06
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of the Senate
and OF the House of Representatives:

and Of the House of Representatives.:
Having assembled as the representatives of the
people, in obedience TO the requirements of the
stitution for the purpose Of celebrating upon such
measures of public policy best calculated to
maintain and advance the political and social pros-1
perity Of the people of Indiana, the acknowledgment
of gratitude is due to Almighty God for the
fold blessings with which he has crowned the year.
This assembling of The peoples representatives,,
devoves upon the performance of constitutional
duty, which discharge with cheerfuness, yet trust
with becoming dfidence.
A retrospective view of the affairs of State
presents many substantial causes for congratula-
tion at any former period of her history; agrcul
tural industry, the great and reliable Of the
prosperity of people. has met with its merited
reward, and the enterprisng spirit of citizens
has been crowned with that which il so rich
ly deserves the people of our own, in common with
those of many of the other States of beloved
country have been during the past year severely af
ficted by the cholera--that desolaiing scourge Of
mankind. Yet il is gratifying to know that the mel
ancholy "reminiscences Of its fearful march through
our midst being obliterated by the smiles of
turning health.
The general prosperity of our beloved country is a
just of pride and congratulation to every
American citizen. Whilst some of the Oldest gov
ernments of the world toterng to their fall, by
the revolutionary spirit of their citizens repub
lican Institutions, simple yet sublime in their sruc
ture-based in the affections, Identified with the in
terests Incorporated with the feelings and sustained
by the will of free and intelligent people, are DIFF
fsing their citizens the benign influences of do
nestle quiet, wholes me laws. aud the preservation
of their civil and religious rights and privileges
The permanent and continued prosperity of our
country in every department of business, especially
in Il e agricultural portion of II, upon which must
mainly rely for The great bulk of national veal h,
cannot but tn nix is mainly attributable to the health
fnl influence of The national system adopted
nv fha of he ted Stats in
Ii is political axiom, too Obvious 10 be contro-
verted, that the ability Of the people of one nation
to buy the produce OF another. is limited by the
ability to pay for the sane by the surplus products OF
their own industry. The adoption Of low rate of
arilf duties in 1916, at home. and a corresponding
relaxation of The stringent restrictions upon
abro ID, have not only had the effect to bring into the
Treasury Of tie United States greater amount Of
revenue, but also to increase greatly the profits of the
agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial classes
of community. Should this benefcent system, BY
which the millions engaged in agriculture enabled
TO procure a wider and favorable market for the
surplus products Of their labor be suffered to
ftinue, it is confidently believed that the permanent
prosperity of the ioiling millions Of our population,
will be Elaced upon a durable basis.
BY treaty of peace recently entered into between
The United States and the Republic of Mexico, our
government has acquired large extent of territory
which must at distant day be erected into separate
Slate governments and provided with organic laws
the public mind has become too much egitated upon
question of vital importance connected with the char
acter Of those organic laws, 10 be passed in si
ence upon the present occasion. There is but little
dive -siiy of sentiment amongst the people of Indiana
upon the question of human slavery; yet as decided
ly the opinions Of people opposed TO this
ms tuition, have ever manifested unwilling
ness 10 interfere with The constitutional rights of our
brethren Of the slave States upon this very delicate
subject The territory thus acquired has come to Us
fire the question is presented to the American
people, whether this territory shall remain Free 1t
be doubted but that the response of the people
of Indiana to this question will be unanI
mnusly in favor of freedom. Whilst are in favor
of freedom, let US exercise that orbearance towards
our political brethren Of the slave States of this
Uuion which characerzes the conduct Of the pairiut
and statesman. Nevertheless, it is our imperative
duty to assert our rights members of the same
great family; and manfuy resist by all legal and
constitutional MEANS the further advancement of
slavery into territory belonging to the general gov
eminent. That Congress possesses this power does
not admit of doubt, and the only remaining ques-
iinr to be determined is whether it is expedient 10
exercise that right. To decide this question afirmn
lively. the rejecting mind need only glance the
history of beloved country the rise and progress
in the arts and Sciences in manufactures, mechanics
internal improvements. and every other great element
Of scal aud political happiness in the States Of this