The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-12

Inc states tudt Tue finances oil the State
are in sound and prosperous condition. The in
terest upon the State debt has been punctunlly
paid from the current resources appropriated for
that purpose, and large surplus remains, which
Ia applicable to the reduction Of the principal.
Total amount drawn from the treasu-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, 81, $50 1927 6S
Balance remaining in the treasury
ON the 10th November, 1850. 1872, goo IL
5000, 1893 80
The State debt is rapidly decreasing.
Common schools are recommended.
The lunatic asylum and other matters Of local
interest are discussed.
The Governor, after noticing the death Of Gene
Taylor, In feeling and appropriate manner, comes
to the subject of federal relations. We give this
part OF his message without abrdgement:
For some time past muc h excitement and ag-
t,tlon have prevailed in different sections of The
country on subject OF absorbing interest, which
has seemed to awaken in the minds of come alarm
for the safety OF the Union. In the southern sec
ton there have been passed resolutions by State
legislatures threatening secession of certain
anticipated action Of Congress and there has been
the assembling and re- assembling of Convention,
imposing in its pretensions, which met and acted
with an open and avowed purpose of disunion. On
the other hand, in the North there have been and
are individuals and assemblies Of persons W no
threaten to defy and resist, in one particular, the
execution OF the laws. In none of these demonstra
TONS however, viewed by the light of the past his
tory OF the country, do discover ground for seri
GUS alarm In no country, however great or sna A.,
can all the policy, all the laws made to carry
out its policy, give satisfaction to all; as a conse-
quence, excitement more or less prevails. Thus
we have seen our own Constitution threatened by
the demon OF civil dlscord but 1t stood the shoe
and still stands like the granite rock at the base OF
the mountain, unframed by the waves that have
beat upon it.
eve contemplate with just pride the inestma-
BILE blessings which this Union of States has con-
ierred upon each individual State, by making equal
and uniform regulations for the trade and com
merce OF all, thus increasing the wealth and pro-
noting the general prosperity. We have still
more cause to rejoice when see how much il has
added To our strength and power a nation, and
that power still increasing, by this means giving
US guarantee OF peace with all other nations, and
protection from hostile incursions anon ourselves
yea, more, standing among the nations of the
earth that will add an immense power to the moral
influence Of our free institutions throughout the
world He, therefore, would desire to see this
mighty nation reduced to thirty more petty
States, distracted with the feuds of bitter civil dis
cord and desolated with all the horrors of border
warfare is not only traitor to his country, but an
enemy to the best interests of mankind. Too much
praise cannot be bestowed upon the true friends of
the Union; but it is difficult to single out individuals
to whom that term is to be emphaticaly applied
II reaches and embraces nearly all he Amer lean
people. Though complaint may sometimes be made,
rally the great body Of the people around the
Constitution, and save it from the hands of the
spoier.
"Alarm and agitation of late has mostly grown
out OF the subject Of slavery. The Constitution
provides in substance, that if slave shall escape
from his master into another State, that he shall be
given up on claim and proof being made. What
ever rights secured to the slaveholding States
by this provision of the Constitution and Law
should be strictly and in good faith maintained;
but, in enacting law for this purpose, should be
taken that the rights of other States well
dividuals thereof, be not infringed upon. The law
denominated the 90 Fugitive Slave Law has
awakened much of the present excited feeling and
action in the country 1t is claimed first, that il
Is in violation of the Constitution of the United
States. Yet il is an enactment of the supreme law
making power of the land, and forcble resistance
to its execution cannot be jusfable without sus
tanning that practice of lawless violence which
strikes at the foundation of government. 1.-THE law
be unconstitutional, that question must be settled
by that tribunal which is provided to settle mat
tiers Of this kind, to whose decision, as good cit
liens and as law abiding people, are bound to
submit
''This law, in its whole fabric, implies general
dstrust of the good faith of the people of the free
States To abide by the provisions of the compact
under which VIC exist as government. Such dis
trust, which believe ID without any real founda-
ton, wcakens the ligaments which bind Us together
and Of course strikes at the foundation of our gov
ernment. But the whole law, in all of its provi-
sions, cannot be considered in this document Suf-
nee III 10 say tnat IL is objectionable, because 1t
makes slavery national instead of State insti-
tuition, by requiring the costs of retaining the
slave in some instances TO be paid OF the United
States Treasury; because it attempts to make a.
parfe testimony taken in another Jurisdiction final
and conclusive, in cases where its effect may be to
enslave man and his posterity for all time and
commits the decision of this question of civil liberty
TO officers not selected for their judicial wisdom or
experience because IL attempts 10 compel the cti-
OF free States to aid in arresting and return
ing to slavery the man who is only fleeing for Ia
boty, in the same manner as they would rightfully
be bound to aid in arresting a man fleeing from
justice, charged with the commission OF high
crime and misdemeanor.
Finally, in relation to the mode of trial, and
other particulars, the law is contrary the genius
and spirit of our free institutions and therefore
dangerous to both free and slave States, and con-
sequentiy ought to be amended or repealed. But
forcibe resistance TO this, any other law is only
rebellion, and Is not the way TO procure the RENE
dy. Let there be generous confidence in all parts
OF the nation, each with the other Let the evils
be plainly laid before the law making power of the
country. Let arguments, and reason, and love of
country, be the ruling principles, and the oonsttu-
ton will prevail Let a law be passed, giving to
the master his constitutional rights only, based
upon common principles of evidence, adjudication,
and execution thus being consistent with the spirit
OF our free institutions and venture the assertion
that II will be fulfilled to the letter and spirit in
parte Of the Union, and the country again settle
down in harmony and peace. Once more the
interests Of the people are committed TO your wis
dom. And, again, would add my fcrvent suppli.
cations to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, that
His provideDtial care may still be continued TO the
State, that virtue and the love Of country may be
liked in the breasts Of the people, and their lber-
tics be perpetual. SEABURY FORD"
CALIFORNIA SgsAToR.-Some Of the accounts
from California represent the Legislature n, Dem