The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-12-07
GOVERNORS MESSAGE NO. /
ExrcurrvE DrrAarxrsT., Nov "a, 1855
Gentlensen Of, the Senate -
-FsAssfs and Hoese of Represen f;,,es

ExrcurrvE DrrAnrsENr, Nov "a, 1858. f,lt.
Geatteusen Of the Senate rs - ~
and Hoase Of Representatives.
You have resumed the discharge OF your
constitutional duties under the most encour
aging circumstances. The pecuuiary pres.
sure which, at the beginning of the year.
bore so heavily uponS all classes of society.
has happily passed off without its anticipa-
ted disasters Commerce, continue to pros
per and widen her domain; agriculture re-
jpices over full harvests land labor of every
description feels the stimulus of remunera-
ting prices. The year has been one of un..
exatnpled health, and our people, in quiet
and security, have successfully devoted them
selves to their various vocations. Repre-,
sentiug Commonwealth thus blessed, you
will unite with me In Offering to the Giver
Of all Good the homage of grateful hearts,
and devoutly surplicating a continuance of
His f,vors. 81 y s,..s, "a. =
In the discharge Of the duty imposed On
me by the Constitution, shall recommend
TO your consideration various measures which
think important to,the public veal. Your
intelligence willenable you to select. and
your patriotism will prompt you TO adopt.
sucli Of them as will advance the, interests
anrasnrcinote the general prosperity of our
Common constituents. The public GOOD es-
isrially committed TO your keeping, cannot,
in my judgement, be more Certainly attained
THAI bya steady adherence to the long set.
tied policy of the State. New enactments.
and d,modiiications Of existing laws, are some.
ti,,r.s required to suit the varying circnm.
stances of our condition; but Legislation
which seeks TO break down the forms and
usuages TO which a people have. long been
accustomed, should not be resortd to excent
under the exacii1g pressure of necessity
The people of South Carolina have great
reason to orest content with their ,,onstilu-
tion rs il stands. IL Is far sbetterth t its inn
material defects should be borne, than that
weshould beginthe hazardous work Of consti,
tulional reform. All Of the old States of
the Confederacy, except our town, have at
different times +nade fundamental changes
in their Constitutions These changes. may
have served for the moment to cap,ivate the
populace but 1 have not been able to dis
cover That those for whose especial Benefit
they wsse introduced have been distinguish
ed by a higher elevation Of sentiment, or
been rewarded with greater prosperity Than
our own people, who still cling with conf,
dence to their old forms, and s.,sher hope
for, the future from the encouraging rrcolec-,
.tioifs Of the past. Continue, then, ly your
example and policy, to teach your constiu-
ents not to lean on government, but to rely
on their own energies, TO work out their des-
tiny. A people thus trained will be more
jealoas of their rights, and when assailed
will stand up more manfully in their defence
than If their minds are bewiIdered and their
time wasted in fruitless efforts to better their
condition by periodical changes their organ
iclaw. The procliyities of the age are, to
my mind, o.nipous OF ofeyeryliing but good
TO the eause.of true progress. In certain sec
tions oflhecountry doctrines have been ayow-
ed and scenes enacted which In tie bstssf DAYS
Of the Republic wonld have consigned their
authors TO lasting infamy and execratiop,--
The adyocates Of q .higher law" sit in high
places faRaticism rules triumphant in the
land of Hancock and Osis; and mobs and
riots are 90 common that the misguided
masses are fast acquiring taste for blood
Ip the view Of the hideous phases which
Eadicalisni has elsewhere assumed, and the
bitter fruits Of his triunphs, Conservatism
may confidently appeal 70 the patriotism Of
the resormers Of q inilder latitude to post
poue their labors 70 more suspicious peri.
Cd. There Is wisdom and safety in the in.
junction Of Holy Writ aProvc aIf tfincs
hold fast that which is good" I commend
to you the preservation Of our Constitution
in Al It's integrity Il has served US, and
" owe 4 70 ourselves 70 trapsmit II intact
70 our p9starity. ~ ~, =. :. lfist
g g nss IL otdee, and highest in importance,
tinvits your especial stten:ion 10 the finan-