The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-11
Message or the Governor or Massachusetts.

"AesseBe oA the coscrhor Oh mAssachusotts.
Governor Briggs's annual message is brief and
able paper After presenting lucid statement of
the financial condition of the State, the governor
states that there has been large increase of the
number OF inmates of the State prison during the
past year, while the proportion of second corners
has been somewhat less. Further provision is ne
cessary for the accommodation Of the prisoners.
The various public charitable institutions are
commended TO the continued fostering care of the
Legislature. The subject Of erecting another State
unatc hospital isagan brought to the notice of that
body.
The remarks Of the governor in relation to the
educational system Of the State conclusively show
the importance of carrying out the wise plan of en-
couraging popular education, which is distin-
gushing feature in our State legislation.
The governor states that the State reform school
is crowded, and that Legislation is required to in
crease the accommodation or to limit the number
of admissions. He pays well-deserved tribute to
the noble generosity Of the late Hon. Theodore Ly-
man, through whose bcnefcencc the school
tablishcd and placed on enduring foundation.
The subject of agricultural legislation is COM
mended to the consideration of the Legislature.
The governor warmly commends the message Of
President Taylor-particularly those passages rel
ativc to protection to American industry river and
harbor improvements, cheap postage, the sacred
ness of the Union, &c.
On the subject Of slavery Governor BIS message
says:
''rhc question whether negro slavery shall or
shall not be excluded from the Territories of the
Union which are now free, is seriously agitatng
the public mind",
He then gives outline of the arguments for and
against the extension of slavery to the new States
and Territories, and concludes:
''The people of Massachusetts,, come what nav
will be faithful to the Constitution and the Union
Her patriotic statesmen helped make that Constitu-
tion and her citizens agreed to and adopted it. She
would not knowingly withhold or violate any right
secured by it to any citizen section of the conn-
try.
.'Her opinions upon the subject of slavery have
been known to the world from the time of the De-
claration of Independence to the present time
GAS member of the Union, she is content to
leave slavery where it is left by the Constitution
that is, within the limits of those States where it ex
lists Whilst it is clear that Congress has no right
to pass the limits Of State to interfere with
the institution of slavery within it. is equally clear
that State has the right to push the institution
beyond its limits into and over the territory of
the Union where it does not exist
&c Entertaining doubt of the constitutional
power of Congress to exclude slavery from its own
Territories, and believing thatsuch exclusion is de-
manded by the highest principles Of morality and
justice she consent to its extension over
one foot of territory where it now is not. If the
other free States concur with her in this resolution
the thing will be done and consequences be left to
themselves