The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-10


stitution, the Blind Asylum, the New York
Hospital, and the State Lunatic Asylum, are
all favorably spoken Of, and commended to the
care of the Legislature; and the establishment
of an institution for the instruction of idiots is
recommended.
Some alterations are suggested in the home
stead exemption law passed at the last session,
and it is thought that the exemption ought not
to include debts contracted previous to the pur-
chase of the estate by the debtor.
An appropriation is recommended for more
complete exploration of the lands in the north
ern counties of the State, with view to plank
roads and other facilities of access.
As a remedy for the anti-rent difficulties, the
Governor recommends purchase of the mano-
rial titles by the State, and resale to the ten
ants on equitable terms.
The condition of the statute laws will re-
qure the serious consideration Of the Legisla-
ture. Revision and amendments are necessary
in order to produce harmony between the prin-
cipes introduced by the code of practice and
the general statutes. The final report of the
Commissioners on Practice and Pleading will
come up for action at the present session and
the Governor recommends thorough examina-
ton, by the Legislature, of the new code, with
a view to its adoption, in such form as may re-
ceive their sanction, at the earliest practicable
period.
Passing over several matters of more local
interest, we come at last to that part of the
message which treats of national questions.
"a
ures, and to the disposition which is evnced to
regard them as final settlement of the slavery
controversy, Governor HUNT says
"The people of this State continue to indulge
strong desire that harmony and mutual good will
may prevail between all portions of our widely
extended Republic. They law abiding peo-
pie; they cherish the most friendly sentiment
toward their brethren of the South; and have
always conceded to the slave States the entire right
to maintain and regulate slavery within their own
limits, and to exercise all those rights without
abridgment hindrance which the Constitution
confers More than this ought not to be claimed
or expected"
He considers it a source Of profound surprise
and regret that any portion of the Southern
people should find in the terms of the adjust
ment an occasion for nurturing the spirit of
disunion; and thinks that their feelings of alien
alton proceed from misconcepton of the views
entertained by the people Of the North. Great
injustice is done in assuming that encroach-
ments are medtated by the latter upon the
rights of any portion OF the Confederacy:
at should not have been regarded
croachment upon the rights of any State that we
objected to the extension of slavery a country
acquired by common efforts, and which had
been made free by the action of its legitimate
| authorities No wrong was inflicted upon any
State by the effort to give to the people of the
quered territories government best adapted to
| their sentiments and their future happiness.
"By the ordinance of 1877 large portion of the
American people had declared their conviction that
slavery ought not to be extended over free terrific
| ry; but the exclusion of that institution from the
States of the northwest not then deemed suff-
cient to prevent the formation of the Federal Union
The sentiment still exists in the Northern
mind, to be manifested whenever and only when
its exercise is provoked by new aggressions; and
cannot concede that it affords any ground for com
plant the part Of any of the States still less that
it can justify secession, revolution, any effort to
overthrow the free Constitution established by our
| fathers"
The Governor declares that the great body
of the people of New York are aware that the
Constitution of the United States was framed
and adopted in spirit of compromise, and that
it must be faithfully maintained in the same
spirit, and that they cherish an ardent devotion
to the Union. Although New York might
maintain respectable attitude before the world,
and would not fail to preserve her liabilities as
an independent State, she would regard dis
solution of the Union from any cause as the
greatest calamity that could betall mankind.
With regard to the Fugitive Slave law, the
Governor alludes to the dissatisfaction which it
has excited in many portions of the country,
| and adds:
| "Apprehensions have been entertained that I'M
der the hastily considered provisions Of the act,
passed during period ofunusual agitation, persons
of COLOR claiming to be Free and really free, not
allowed those reasonable opportunities, and those
customary legal safeguards, necessary to enable
them establish by adequate proof the fact of their
| freedom.
| ga recent case has shown this belief to be not
merely speculative, and that the danger that free
man, under the summary mode in which that law
can be executed, may be hurried into captivity, is
not wholly imaginary. Wccannot, and we do not
believe, that the South, any more than the North,
aims at or desires such result, or will insist
tanning proVlslons leadlng 10 such e&ciuhS Cohse-
auences We shall rely not only on their sense of
propriety and reciprocal justice but their calm con-
victon that the law itself, TO be permanent, must
be reasonable, for their uniting, after due rehec
ton with their brethren of the North, in kind and
dispassionate spirit, in reviewing such clauses az
may be found defective or Objectionable, and in
consenting to such judicous notifications as may
command general approval"
Before dismissing the subject of the Federal
relations of the State, the Governor adverts to
the evils which important interests have suf-
fered from the failure of Congress to extend that
protection to American industry which expert
ence has shown to be necessary; and also to the
detrment suffered from the neglect of the Gen
eral Government to make appropriations for the
Improvement Of lake harbors, and the re
| mnyal Of distinctions In the Hudson river. The