The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-19


Governor johnson, OF Virginia, sent his mes sag e
to the Legislature on the 18th instant. The d5cu-
ment is well drawn up. 1t begins by adverting TO
the recent organic reformation OF the state laws
lie people OF Virginia are congratulated upon the
extension OF popular rights by the constitution
The speedy organization Of a rev Board Of Public
Works is recommended. The attention of the
Legislature is drawn 10 the agricultural interests
Of the comm onwealIh, and it is advised TO extend to
it governmental aid. Comment is made upon the
advantages resulting from the application of science
TO agriculture; and in illustration OF his position,
Governor Johnson cites the increase in the value Of
lands in Eastern Nirginia. where, within the last
ten years, the farmers have been adopting an i'm
proved mode OF cultivation, the result Of which is
that the assessed value Of their lands in 1850. is
twenty millions Of dollaIs moe than in ISIS
The subject OF primary education is recon-
mended to the attention Of the Legislature IL
s advised that the minimum period OF con
Gnenert in the reni.entiaTy be Increased Al
tenticn Is directed to the condition of the free
negro population Of the State, which has increased
more tnap seven per cent within the last ten years.
and the Legislature is advised to sGopt cfcctual
measures for It's removal from the commonwealth.
The question Of a direct trade between the ports
Of Virginia and foreign ports, Gov -rRof J. tanks
should engage the serious attentitu OF the Legs-
!ature.
In regard to the RAJ relations Of he State,
the message, says
Since the adjournment of the las. Legislature
nothing has tIanspired particularly c1lcglacj 70
G
growing out Of an unwarrantablc and ugconstitu
tional inference by the general government win
the subject Of slavery, has partially sU53Iaj. and
i is 10 De hoped that the agita:eu d ID s&Ojce:
VIII Hereafter BE avoided-that 10 TgGtlcss sprit
Of iaua:icism which kindled the fame will be dis
eounsenanced, and peace and qGet restored to the
public mind. il in this patriotic AMI reasonable
expectation we shall be disappointed TIC mos Sc
nous afprentnaons may well he er.c taiaed Tor
TIE safety OF tue Union, which bss sst pass
Ell through difficult and mcmsnsCus crisis.
i he series Of laws passed durisg tie last Con.
gress. denoninated The Compro Disc" were un.
equal ard unjust to the South, ADD '1ast Gtei Just
cause ii complaint. But regarding t1cra IS n !aii
aBa final settlement OF that dang l1u. and yex8d
question (ana in that light oEiy.) tae H. uthefu
> -ates very generally manifest Willingness to nc.
quiesce; not because of their justice g. equality,
tut for the sake Of that nion to m4iEJsiu which,
whilst under and controlled by the wr, "a cousti.
tuition every patriot would plcdRe his fortune
Lis lie and bis sacred honor" but dhich, without
the CO.'S tiution, il worthless and deserve not the
yepe ration Of any. II II be true that those pro-
ysions effect settlement OF this question, BE il
80: ID Is what we want 10 let u ana j, alone Is
All sc have ever contended for: AID aay fort TO
reopen the wound or renew discussion upon the
su cct, should be lrowEed upon by every patriot.
WAils.. therefore, proper regard for selirespect
Tie respect OF the nation, vel o. patriotism
aud policy. dictate that Virginia should naeylbly
maintain The position She has heretofore taken upon
tL question, let us do so calmly and with as little
agitation rs possible If the law for I'll rcnd ton
q fugitive slaves, which but provides the means
'er the exercise Of right secured to " BY ex-
provision Of the federal constitution aud the
only one Of the series calculated to 10 acceptable
Or beneficial TO the south, should be ma 1e dead
letter upon the statute book, either by open resist
snce, or ~ evasive legislation, or other devices
which shall prevent its faithful execution in the
states, or should Congress repeal
OF materially modify its provisions, the last homo
.ntertained BY the south for that justice and pro-
lection guaranteed to her by the writtan corn
under which she entered into the Union, will DO lost.
Though the spirit in which this Las has been 70.
,eyed in the Northern States is well calculated to
Excite our serious apprehensiops, yet IL ia to DO