Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-10-18
STUFF nf Drrnunt.
ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR.
Fellow Citisens Of the Senate and
House of Representatives


for the public service The chronicles of the political year
% closed bear no record of adversely inflicted upon
upon our cherished institutions In prosperity we and they
stand testimonials of the goodness of Him who reth over
all and as well the secret the audible invocation will
rise from each heart these institutions alike glory
and security may remain hitherto they have bccn
the supports of civil political and religious liberty.
In presenting you such topics deem appropriate to
this communication may to draw too largely on
your courtesy by commenting on subject which dis
cusscd extent former occasion My reason Tor
revivng the consideration of is that am confirmed IN
the conviction that involves the vitality of the State gov
eminent u.s. and the welfare of those who shall succeed
u.s. In performing the various duties constutionally
Joined upon Them the General Assembly charged with
a large number which special temporary which re-
late to persons offices and corporations which, in Short
are not laws political character of law Inn
poan highly So indeed all these are they do not make
any part of legislation of the State the framing Of
statutes that constitute the law of the land The
influences from of the former kind transient they
ne public interest," disturb public peace 1t is not
so with the latter These depict the prevalent characters
tics of the times both moral and intellectual that the
laws of State may be justly called the reflex Of the char
acter of the people
clear perception of the qualities of the people, and
aiming provide only much of government should
meet their actual wants, the trainers of Constitution
carved it out simplicity of design and thus rendered easy
the task of developing the principles of that instrument
1t was the peculiar felicity of the earliest political age of
this State that the framing of the statutes was committed
to men who in performing that work. added to the purest
intentions the soundes Judgment the knowledge derived
nd eudv and oh
admirable system, or codfed SERIES of laws which for
many years remained intact and which consi-
tutes the vigorous body of our statutory enactments.
But the spirit of the age and that spirit rest
less innovating upon what has laid its hand, well
on the laws of country other things valuable
The consequences in the decay of that
for the law which is its best sanction in the contempt of
legal restraints, many portions of the Union daringly
avowcd- and the greatly multiplied outrages that
heard of, are forgotten, and never punished
At the present. the bias of many of upright minds
but ardent temperament is strongly set towards the most
serious changes the rules of civil duty and conduct and
principles long held be essential the security of hui
man rights as never be debated much less mpugned,
are regarded by obstacles in the path of i'm
ovenent which the genius of reform to remove
much lumber of the past Such spirit, having ascen-
dency would make the laws bend to the impulses of soc
ey-in other WORDS they would have force other than
that popular passion of things which the chief
condition of anarchy Believing that instability III the
laws of any state invariably opens the way for ultimate de-
NAL of obedience to the civil power submit that prudence
demands seadast opposition to every legal change which
is RADICAL until its necessity shall be made manifest Let
preserve something of the past to hold on by The
Choir drag. Whatever changes in legal code
may be projected hereafter to be erventy
that the cardinal doctrines which fathers settled the
government of this State, may be held firmly in their places
and have all honor The celebrity in which the thoughts
have in charge the public peace and safety watch
intently the tendencies of the day.
Our little republic contains all elements of great
ness with unlimited for all innocent enjoyment
social life. That many of these elements have been
put in motion and many of these have been
openedproducing her people ahappness
surpassed, shared by all in remarkable equal
ty-s Justly to be ascribed the vigorous impress made
the character of our political foefathers by the excellent
constitutional and legal doctrines under which they depos-
tied their rights and privileges citizens freemen
In of this subject and trusting in your indulgence OF
these prolonged remarks upon it, have embraced the few
opportunities falling urge upon the elevated patr-
on and discrimnative judgment of my fellow-citizens
the exercise of increasing vigilance lest the nnovatng spr
it of the day shake our honest poty.
In dschagng the duty assigned to me by the Constitu
ton, have to inform you that in compliance with the
of of General Assembly of 1919