The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-01-14

Such. then, being The condition d our az
fairs, We arr about % enter a new era in our
civil and political history. The great ad-
vances which have been made, within the
las: few eaIs, ia many of the Departments
OF science. in the mechanic arts, in the va
riOus branches OF Industry, in the ~applira-
ton of electricity and s,eam power 10 the
control, the useful purposes and wants OF
man, and, by no mes ais The least, the inven-
tive american genius which has been dis
played in producing labor saving machinery
both for the mechanic, the manufacturer
and the agriculurist, have already astonish-
ed the civilized world, and it is yet entirely
uncertain bat still greater Developments
may be nude and more beneficial results at
tanned.
While these things have been going on
arcand us, and have caused this TO be de-
nominated the "ProgressiSe Ags," q spirit
Of reform ana improvement in civil and po-
lifical affairs has been excited and widely
dat the science of government should not
: alone be permitted to stand still.
Acting under these influences, the peo-
pie of the State, the Legitimate sources Of
civil and political authority, through their
representatives, a new Organic Law. 1t
has been adopted by a large majority. 1t
makes many encroachments ON antiquated
notions. Under it, useless legal forms and
absurdities In the proceedings of courts of
Justice viii be abolished, and their modes of
doing business brought home to the compre-
hension and understanding Of all.
1t makes officers responsible to the peo-
pie by frequent elections, by themselves and
not by the General Assembly. 1t provides
against future corporate monopolies and i'm
proper monied influences, and for an equal
distribution of the benefits and burth ems of
government. These are some Of the dis
tinguishing features of the new Constitution
which is now in force. 1t is Radical, Pro-
g~ressive and | emocratic. Very many of its
provisions are called for the spirit of the age.
1t was brought into existence by no onepar-
ty, but by all. 1t is for no one, but for all.
All have an equal interest in it, as the SUI
preme law of eur state, in connection with
the constitution of the Union, treaties and
laws OF Congress.
Such being the case, the people have the
right to expect that this General Assembly,
which has been honored with their conf
dence, will feel deeply the responsibility
with which its members have been clothed,
in their legislative capacity; that, without
distinction as to party, they will keep stead
lily in view the public interest, and uniting
their counselS, that with harmony and a com
mendable zeal the first General Assembly
under the new constitution will revise the
existing or frame new statutes to meet It's
acquisitions, and. with fidelity, endervor to
provide such legislation as in their opinion
will be the most likely to secure TIE benefits
the people have anticipated they are to DE-
rive from their New Organic Law. For
myself, | trust that every Senator and Rep
resenta,iy4 is fully conscious of the impor-
tance of his position, and feels the necessity
of making this a thorough, harmonious, bu-
siness session of the Legislatura-one to
which reference may be made hereafter with
pride and satisfaction, that each member
himself had done essential service to the
Commonwealth.
The Governor is required by the Constitu-
ton to recommend to The General Assembly
at every session, such measures as he shall
deem expedient. Under this injunction
breviry and clearness will be his object. 1t
is deemed entirely unnecessary toeven touch
but a few of the subjects OF legislation which
will demand your action at the present ses-
+ sion, to provide a system for the new organi-
cation Of the different departments of the
State Government; as complete as human
fraility will permit, and to secure other OBJ
jects Of vital Importance to the interests and
welfare ofthe people of Ohio. Those objects
TO which no particular mention is made in
this communication, are believed 10 be sutli-
ciently apparent to commend themselves to
the good sense and better Judgment of the
Legislative authority. Should other matters
hereafter occur to me, rs They doub' less
will, with that frankness and confidence
which should ever exist between coordinate
branches Of the Government, they will be
made The subject OF special communications.
Of all The duties which the executive is
called upon to discharge, there is no one
more difficult to be rIghtfu!ly performed,
more delicate, or better calculated TO create
dissatisfaction, howver honestly executed,
than that which arises under the 18th Sec
l!pl Ol ulc ora hEGICie Oh bHC NOlSlltublOu,
chat the Governor shall nave power, after
couEiction, to grant reprieves, combinations
AZ / pardons," We. There is reason to be-
lieye, thaC petition for pardon have, some
times, been presented to the Governor,
where many OF the names ofthe subscribers
had been obtained by false re presentations,
and, perhaps, by those who had a pecaniary
interest III the result Of the applications thus
made, which was concealed. They have
doubtless been accompanied with assurances
favorable to the success of the applications
not always consistent with truth; and, in
some instances, have produced the desired
result. Had such applications been %notori-
GUS, it is thought, remOnstrances would have
ordinarily prevented imposition, as the Exc
cutive would have had both sides of the
question before him when he came to deter
mine whether a pardon shoVld be granted or
no.. This section contemplates legislation.
1t e%onfers this power upon the Governor,
Subject to such regulations as to the man
ner Of applying for pardons, as may be pre-
scribed by law" 5000 u
1t has occurred to me, that it might be
we'll to provide, that no application for par
don shonld hereafter be considered by the
Governor, without satisfactory evidence that
notice had been given to the Prosecuting
Attorney of the county where the conviction
tOoL pIuna III tho anplieuiinu and for n raa-