Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-12-01
MESSAGE.
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To the Homorabte the Gensrnf assembly
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Assembly, fit presented
members upon the blessings which kind Providence has
bestowed upon the people Of the State and especially upon
their exemption to considerable extent from the diseases
calantea which have visited other States and
with such sad and devastating consequences 1t Il also
subject congaulaton that the spirit of progress and i'm
provement which, at present anmates people, presents
bright prospect for the destiny of our beloved state
Agriculture. in North Carolina has undergone an 1mpor-
improvement which has increased the reward of the
husbandman and impaired additional interest to this
great pursuit. the amount of crime committed is believed
will compare avoraby with that OF any other State the
laws have been executed faithfully and justice admins
tered mpartay as in country the faith of the
State has been scrpuousy and her credit stands
deservedy high, both at home and abroad Improvements
being extended afford the Farmer and Mechanic
cheap and expeditions mode of transportation Cor the surplus
products Of their labor and for the supplies they to
ceve in University of the highest rank aided by
system Of Common Schools, which will soon be second to
that other State rapidly extending the facilities of
illogical examinations almost daily disclosing valuable adj
dtons the nexhaustibe mineral wealth of the Sate and
added all these have population that is unsurpassed
the essential elements of greatness But notwith
standing this gratifying condition of things there are many
subjects intimately connected with the welfare and prosperity
Of the people of the State which require the action of the
General Assembly.
In government like ours where the voice of the people,
great controls public Education not
only subject which every good citizen feels deep in
the fostering care of the State Hence that clause
in the Constitution which declares
That school schools shall be estab he'd by the Leg
ature for the convenient instruction of YOUTH with such
salaries to the masters, paid by the public enable
them low prices and all useful learning shall
be duly encouraged and promoted in one or more Cnver
stes.'
The University of State in successful operation
tanning the high reputation has long and deservedy enjoyed
each Commencement sends forth number of gradu
ates engage in the various pursuits ofe This institution
every year eucang gratutousy no num-
her mertorou young gentlemen VINO nave not the means
purpose 1t would be difficult to estimate the bene-
fetal Influences the University has exered in North Caro-
Our Common Schools have been in operation but for "A
haps. as we have light to expect when consider the
many faculties that have to be encountered in the com
ny defects the of these Schools, which time
and experience will enable to correct he SYSTEM how
doing incaculable good and its beneficial influence
will be srkingly obvions to the generation which
succeeds There subject more worthy OF favorable
State depends upon her people In few years those VINO
direct public affairs will pass from the stage of action,
will be committed to the charge of new generation If
that generation shall be found wanting in wisdom virtue
what is to be the fate OF
by its The education of the masses Of the people
is the best security for the OF persons and OF property
and in free government where Intelligence and virtue are
the true passports to fame and Distinction places the poor
aud obscure upon equality with the rich and powerful
and will the best means of perpetuatng the blessings
OF liberty.
During the last year, there distributed from the Lit
erary Fund for Common Schools In the various counties
the State the sum of hundred and
hundred and two dollars fourteen cents ($l2o O2 I4
and during the present the sum of one hundred and
eighty thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars eight cents
S $50 03 has been distributed for the object 1t
beev that nearly the amount has been collected by
taxation the counties for the support of Common co0
The report of the General Superintendent of Common
Schools for the past year, gives account in detail of the
nbors and observations of that officer 1t states gra
tfng facts and various suggestions in regard
the mprovem of the schools 1t is herewith transmitted
His report for the present year will be communicated in du
1t desirable that the principal of the Literary Fune
should be increased to permanently secure large drhu
ton for the support Of Common Schools.
The Swamp Lands uncertain source of income ant
their successful requires degree of personal at
tenon that it would be extremely nconyenent for the tx
ecutve besow The titles large tracts of the land
in dispute and it s believed that trepasses materially i'm
pairing their value have been committed them for
When counsel instructed to bring suits difficulty ar
in procuring the information necessary their
full prosecution The lands in instances inacces
be except who have experience in their expor
alton Further legislation necessary protect the publ
interest these lands 1t believed that public policy de
provision should he made for the appointment
efficient Agent to be paid enable salary whose dat
should be- under the instructions of the Literary Board
procure facts to enable the Board to protect its interest
the Swamp Lands.
The Institution education of the Deaf and Dunn
and Blind successful operation and affords great facil
population, vino by the knowledge they receive
pared to become intelligent and useful members of society
The Institution is under the management Of Board of
recors who perform good deal of labor without receivn
any compensation respectfully recommend that proTsio
be made to paw the members of Board reasonable
their services and that Executive other State
cer be associated with the Board in the management of tn
The President and Directors of the Literary Fund WILL
due time, submit Report, showing the condition of tt
Fund and the proceedings of the Board in relation to oh
subjects committed to their management
Under the existing provisions of the Constitution Of tn
State freehold of Fifty land is of the ndspe
General Assembly This requirement unjust and ougI
J., The question of Free Suffrage has been
much discussed and its Importance has become we'll
de~sood that does require lengthy discussion tn
occasion The propost that no man ought to vote for
Representative branch of the legislature without
fifty of land papably wrong, that the tin
will when the fact that ever had place in the Co
sution will be regarded with profound establishment.
system be based upon the suppos
that the people politically corrupt and incapable of
This feature of the Constitution DISTINGUISHES in one brant
of the Legislature at least fifty thousand of the free viii
ofthe State. These ready any portion
population, contribute their for the support
and to ssrhce their lives in defence Of the hon
Industrious and merorios part Of citizens, and may
y be entrusted with political equality The larger number
freehold of fifty of land and engaged in the varo
honorable persuts Of life Every candid mind adm
fifty Of land does not endow its owner with know
edge, does impar to him virtue patriotism, when
- goes to the balot-box.
enjoys but will give the nonandhoder great pr
lege, which unjuy withheld from him. The peor
at their ese'oi have reEeaed by large a
they in favor of efecting it by Legislative mode II
One bya three fhs and wothrds of each House
consecutive Legislatures, and subsequent ratification
the voters Of the State the other BY Convention autho
stature The former mode preferable for obtansng F.
the the The Constitution requires
by the Legislature to be submitted the voters of
State for ratification but there no such injunction pos
~ in regard to amendments by Convention.
p earnestly recommend that amendment to the COns
ton giving every qualified for the Commons the rig
also to vote for Senator passed by the requisite maort
the Houses othe General Assembly to be suhmitt
in conformity the requirement of the Constitution to the
ton of the General Assembly, and subsequently
ii people of the State for ratification.
The justice Of Free Suffrage is manifest that
mong eeholdrs themselves there overwhelming maj0
As ty who favor adoption The elective franchise
I'd the dearest right of American Citizen and is the
of this invaluable privilege that distinguishes free
from despotsms 1t is hoped the ordous distinction betwe
will be erased from Contribution, and that shs
fact become people Of equal rights and equal pri
It leges."