The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-01-05
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Fe!loic Ciiiseps Of The Senate
md H,Xse Of RfDTfseufd

enabled 10 congratulate YOU upon your as
sembing at the seat Of government, prepar-
atcry to fhe discharge Of important duties
under circumstances so well calculated TO
interest and encourage every true friend to
our common country. The past season has
been distinguished in peculiar manner Tor
the prevailing general health Of or citizens.
Our fertile soil has yielded more thanits ac-
custorned return, as an abundant reward 10
toll aud Industry; thereby placing US under
more deeply impressive obligations TO the
Almighty Dispenser Of all Good for his rich
and varied blessings so hountifnily scarrit
ed over the face of the whole land. With
that warmth OF attachment TO the spiiit OF
our institutions which characterzes our
people, we are preserved in the undisturbed
endowment of all our social, civil, and reli-
cions rights and privileges, an example TO
The world of the value OF constitutional liber.
~, and of the great truth oil the capacfy Of
free, educated, an! intelligent community
fer self government. We cannot escape
observing the thrilling contrast between the
condition of our comparatively happy land
and that Of Eirope in its terrific struggles to
obtain that which we So peacefully enjoy.
While spectators al distance, and viewing
that vast theatre of oppression, prejudice,
passion. and bloodshed, and deeply sympa-
thising with the feeble,t struggle orfreedom
in every part Of the world, We may read a
lesson which ough; never TO be forgotten.
Perhaps at no peiiol in the history Of our
state has its legislature convened at the call
of more important duties than the present,
or when more depended upon the manner
in which these duties were to be discharged.
Since the adjournment Of the last general
assemble, new constitution has been adop
ted by the people Of this state, with unan-
unity scarcely paraleed. Many OF itSpro-
visions differ materially from those OF the
constitution by which we have heretofore
been governed and the laws enacted under
it. This will suggest 10 You the necessity
OF making such alterations in our statute
laws, and the enactment Of such others, as
will be required to meet these changes in
the Fundamental law of the state. The de-
licacy AS well as importance to be attached
to this peculiar part OF your labors, can
scarcely be over estimated. Tor 1t is matter
Of common history that some OF the most in
veterate evils which states have been call
ed upon TO encounter in their subsequent
grogresS, hal their origin in errors or mis-
takes committed in the infancy Of. their
constitutions. II is from the early action oi
government under new constitution that
presidents derive their greatest strength.
and length Of tins render them not only
more influential, but il un>o0nd, dangerous.
In this connection, | cannot ldrbear express
sing the hope that, inaSmueh as the more
important provisions Of the new constitution
will have gone into operation previous TO
your assembling under il, no haste or incon-
siderate attacks may be made upon II, but
that the entire instrument may be allowed
to remain nnAi>urbeA to be judged Of after
q fair and impartial trial. Little precent
good could be expected to follow premature
opposition, while disalfrrtion and diStrust
would be sure 10 spr,ng UP hostile to that
calm an dispaSsionate observation so indiS-
pensab!e TO the formation o! a correct judy
ment of its practical influence upon the d.
versiied Interests it was intended to pro-
mote.
After fair trial, If any Of its provisions
shall be found not to answer the design in
ended by them, the remedy is with the PEG.
pie, and can &c applied wheneverthey may
see proper. By giqing yout legislative ac-
ton wise direction, allowing 10 each pro-
3 vision of the constitution IFS legitimate force
and bearing, proyidng adequate checks
against the Introduction Of abusor, and by a
frequent recurrence 10 the wisdom taught
by experience, yon may succeed in placing
the affairs OF state upon such footing that,
while we escape the errors and dangers Of
the past. we shall be the better able 70 move
forward in our careerofprosperiiy with grea-
ter vigor and cheeriuluess.
Allow me again to invite your attention 10
the really seriou; evils resulting from the
frequent changes in our statute laws. Ia
general there is far greater danger TO be ap.
pretended 10 the social quiet Of state from
too much than too little legislation. Laws
are often enacted aud alterations made in
those existing which can be Justified neither
by necessity nor good policy, and which
serve little better practical purpose than 10
confuse or embarrass those entrusted with
their administration, or ensnare those whose
Interests they were professedly designed to
protect. II is better to forego trivial incon-
veniences than tolerate constant changes.
which too often tend TO disturb the common
order of business relations with which orr
people are familiar, aud introduce anxiety
and dispuietude where there should exist q
feeling Of confidence and security. The DO
dy Of statute laws for this state has beer
maturei with care and revised at great ex'
pense, and for the most part is probably
snted 10 the condition, the habits and spiri
Of the people, and it is believed that will
such changes as may be demanded to max {
them conform to the new constitution, ant
the gradual changes in the condition of tn,
state, our duty viii be mainly discharge,
ani the wishes OF the people realised.
Among tae various subjects ofimportauc,
which wsll engage your early attention il
that OF the revenue. The new constitution
come sound and salutary provisions in re
ference to this subject, but they by no mean
cover the whole ground. A careful review
OF the existing laws relating directly or indi
rectiy TO this important department of tn,
public service, may serve TO show that som,
changes or notifications are required to pro
duce that uniformity and exacthess SO indis
peDsable to every well devised system O
revenue. The laws relating to this subiec
have been enacted at different times, inten
deh and framed to answer a specific purpos
rather than make part Of uniform and con
sistent system. These discrepancies hav
given rise to embarrassment TO tn Sc entru 5
ted with their execution. The recent pop
ular vote upon the single subject of increas
ed taxation, taken with express reference I,
The eventual discharge Of the state debt, is
sufficient indication of the determination q