Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-16

s.
same point, heyswill pursue diferen, roads
to effect the same result, in fnosl human
affairs.
Ii parties are thus formed, scrutiny fol-
lows, and the adoption Of those measures
which will not stand The test of experience
and investigation, are prevented. If not,
they react upon and diminish The strength
Of that party that brought them into prac-
tical operation, and sometimes effectually
overthrow it. -.
The masses Of the people being honest.
:here is. and there should be, no party OBJ
ligatlons not readily yielded TO the higher
and more permanent duly every man owes
TO his country.
But, Notwithstanding party exists. and
three distinct organizations are found in
our State, and in each braRch Of the Gen.
eral Assembly, it is not perceived, that
any difficulty need occur, in the early des.
patch Of the public business, and which
economy and duty both require, as the
best service to our constituents, II there is
an honest determination to pursue an ele-
vated and an honorable course towards
each other: 10 investigate with candor, or
cultivate spirit Of Cancellation and charity
! towards those who differ with US in sen,i-
men'; yielding proper respect TO the opin-
ions and moiivos of oil; but above every
other consideration keeping the character
and dignity of the State directly in view,
and with firm determination, that neither
its interests, nor its character shall be i'm.
paired by any unwise, or selfish adherence
10 the discipline OF party organization.
| Permit me on this occasion, to suggest
to you, the proprie.y, at this time. oi dis
pensing with general and multifarious
subjects Of legislation, Of q permanent
character. .a- .- .z.
The ordinary appropriations, which are
necessary to continue the operations Of The
government, another year. with such meas.
ures as may be deemed important to keep,
invIolate, the public faith, and to project
and preserve the public credit with such
action as is required to prescribe the times
Of holding the Judicial courts, are believed
to be the most important Of temporary
measures. r-.. Ire
would, particularly. recommend that
your early attention should he directed 10
the Cour, Bill. s..
Great inconveniencies have, sometimes,
arisen, expences occurred, and grieyous
delays of Justice resulted to suitors, from
the late periods Of the passage Of the act.
and the want Of information Of its provis-
ions, in the distant counties Of the Stale. in
time TO prepare for the disposal OF The pub
lie business, in pursuance Of its requisi-
lions. = .1*E .4.
The reason for the suggestion. that most
objects Of permanent general legislation
should, nj this session. be dispensed with,
IS The fact that the Constitutional Conven-
ton is now sitting in neighborlng city,
and from the acknowledge wisdom and ex-
perience 10 be found 10 that bedy, it IS be-
lieved. in the course Of q few. months. a
new Constitution, worthy of their accept.
ance. will be submitted to the people, for
adoption, receive their appreciation, and
become the organic law of-oi the Stste.
+ II so, an entire revision Of the most OF
our public statutes may be necessary. au.
! other year, with many new enac,men's. to
carry ou. the requisaion. Of the new Con-
lt.is beliesed,~no substantial: evils can
result from pursuing the course suggested,
. while much useless labor may be saved;
the treasury relieved from heavy addition.
al burthens.. and the Representatives of The
people enabled, at an early day. to return
10 iheir constituents and their homes.
The 5th Sec. Of the same article Of the
Constitution, confers on the Executive the
authority "to grant repfieves and pardons,
after conviction except in cases Of i'm
peachment."
This power, so necessary 10 be veested
somewhere. in every complete system Of
government, is extremely liable to abuse.
This may rise by Withholding The exercise
Of this power, rs we'll as by its too FIRE.
! que application. .....--..,
| No definite rules Of action can be estab.
lished. by which TO guide the discretion OF
the Executive, if ,enac:ously adhered to,
without the certaiaty Of occasional public
injury, or private injustice. Every appli.
cation for pardon, or reprieve, must rest in
the exercise of sound discretion, and de.
pend upon its own merits, and its own in.
dividual circumptances.
The certainty, rather than the severity
Of punishmenis, is conceded, as the better
course to secure thu observance of those
rules, which every government must adopt
for the security of itself and its citizens,
agains, the lawless violence Of the licen.
tious and profigate.
The penal code Of this State inflicts no
cruel nor unusual punishments. 1t is. in
the main, as mild in its penalties for guilt,
as the law of any civilized country, and
our modes OF trial are as we'll calculated to
secure and protect innocence. as could
we'll be deyised. with any regardto public
justice. @: "
1t always appered to me, therefore, be-
fore the Law should be interrupted in its
course, tho Governor should be we'll satis-
fled of the illegally, or injustice, Of the
sentence which 1t had pronounced; that
the example which had been set, and the
reformation of the offender had fully salts.
fed the claims of public justice; or that
extraordinary circumstances had arisen,