The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1849-12-07
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of the Senate

Oh LHe people. lu ODeuiGlCC 10 Tic
ments of the constitution, for the purpose OF
celebrating upon such measures of public pol
icy as are best calculated to maintain and adj
vance the political and social prosperity of the
people of Indiana, the acknowledgment OF our
gratitude is due to Almighty God for the
manifold blessings with which he has crowned
the year.
This assembling Of the peoples representa-
tives, devolves upon me the performance OF
constitutional duty. which [ discharge with
cheerfulness, yet l trust with becoming diff
dence.
A retrospective view of the affairs Of our
State presents as many substantial causes for
congraulatioa as at any former period Of her
history; agricultural industry. the great and
reliable source of the prosperity OF cur people.
has met with its merited reward, and the en-
terprisinr spirit Of our citizens has been crown
ed with that success which it so richly de-
serves; the people of our own. in common
with those many ofthc other States Of our
beloved country. have been during the past
year severely afflicted by the chOlera-that
desolating scourGe of mankind. Yet it Is
gratifying to know that the melancholy re-
miniscences of its fearful march through our
midst are being obliterated by the smiles of
returning health.
The general prosperity Of our beloved coun-
try is lust source o(pride and congratula-
ton to every American citizen. Whilst some
of the oldest governments ofthe world are tot
tering to their fall, by the revolutionary spirit
of their citizens. our republican institutions.
simple yet sublime in their structurc-based
in the affections identified with the interests.
incorporated with the feelings, and sustained
by the will OF a free and intelligent people. are
diflUsng over their citizens the benign lnflu-
ences OF domestic quiet, wholesome laws, and
the preservation Of their civil and religious
rights and privileges.
The permanent and continued prosperity
Of our country in every department Of bust
ness. especially in the agricultural portion of
it, upon which we must manly rely for the
great bulk of our national wealth. | cannot
but think is mainly attributable to the health
FIJI influence Of the national revenue system
adopted by the Congress Of the United States
lit 1916
1t is a political axiom, too obvious 10 becon-
tgoverted. that the ability of'the people Of one
nation to buy the produce a another. is lin
tied by the ability 10 pay for the same, by the
surplus products OF their own industry. The
adoption Of low rate of tariff duties in 1916
lat home. and q corresponding relaxation Of
the stringent restrictions upon commerce
luiOttti. iltNE ltOt DIf it'ttl t'lJ tutCt ~
into the Treasury Of the United States IL
greater amount ofrevenue. but also 10 increase
greatly the profits Of the agricultural mann
featuring. and commercial classes Of commu-
nifty. Should this beuiGcent system, by which
the millions engaged ia agriculture are cna-
bed to procure Il wider and more favorable
market tor the surplus products their labor,
be suffered TO continue, it is confidently be
lieved that the permanent prosperity Of the
toIlnG millions Of cur population, will be
placed upon a durable basis.
By Il treaty Of peace recently entered into
between the United States and the Republic
ol Mexico, our government has acquired IL
large extent Of territory, which must at no
distant day be erected into separate State
governments and provided with organic laws;
the public mind has become too much arita-
ted upon Il question Of vital Importance con
uected with the character Of those organic
laws, to be passed over in silence upon the
present occasion. There is but little diversi-
ty Of sentiment amongst the people OF Indi-
ana upon the question Of human slavery;
yet as decidedly as are the opinions Of our
.people opposed to this institution, we have
ever manifested an unWiliingness to interfere
with the constitutional rights OF our brethren
.of the slave States upon this very delicate
subject. The territory thus acquired has
come too us free: the question is now pre-
sented t. the American people, whether this
territory shall REGAIN free. 1t cannot be
doubted but that the response Of the people
of Indiana 10 this momeniOus question will
be Unanimously in favor OF freedom. Whilst
we are in favor oil freedom. let us exercise
that tOrbearEnce towards our political breth-
rem of the slave States OF this Union. which
characterzes tt c conduct Of the patriot and
statesman. Nevertheless, it is our impera-
tive duty to assert our rights as members of
the same great family; and manfully resist
by all legal and constitutional means. the
further advancement OF. slavery into territory
belonging to the general government. That
Congress possesses this power does not add
nit of Il doubt and tine only remaining uueS-
ton to be determined is whether it is expedi-
ent to exercise that right. To decide this
question alirmaiivey. the rejecting mind
need only glance over the history Of our be-
loved country, the rise and progress in the
tie arts and sciences. in manufactures. me
chancs, internal improvements. and every
other grent element OF social and political
happiness IN the States OF this Union but too
plainly admonish US that bounds should be
prescribed to the baIeful influences OF human
slavery. Itmay be said, however, that this
territory was acquired by the common blood
and treasures of the nation, and consequent
~ we should not agitate this subject To
this objection it may we Il be answered. that
tins territory IS common property; the people
Ioi the Union arc the owners; they constitute
one great cOulederacy of States, and that all
questions involving common property apd the
common welfare must ever he Submitted IN