The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-12-03
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Executive Department,
Raleigh, Nov. IL, 1856.

people of the State to represent them in this
General Assembly. They have confded to
you powers, the highest and most important
known to our government and laws. Coming
as you do fresh from the great hody Of your
fellow-citizens and from every section Of the
State. it is supposed that you are acquitted
with their wants and necessities, and that
these will be provided for, so far as it can be
done by wholesome and enlightened legisla.
tion. doubt not that every effort will be
mode on your part not to disappoint these
reasonable expectations. For my own. al
low me to assure you that my aid, however
feeble, shall at all times be given towards
facilitating your labors.
Before touching upon matters concerning
more especially our own State and poity,
allow me TO congratulate you upon the hap
py termination of the exciting political con-
test through which the country has lately pass.
ed. For the first time in our history we have
seen an attempt seriously made by one sec
tion, or more properly speaking, by politi-
cal party Of that section, 10 get the control
Of the different departments Of the general
government, with the determination express
ed to administer that government on strictly
sectional party grounds. II was virtually an
attempt TO degrade one section and to en-
danger its Institutions, and to deny to it those
equal rights and privileges to which all the
States in the Union are entitled, and which
hitherto they have enjoyed.
True il is, that all this was sought to
be done according TO the forms Of the con-
stitution. But the attempt was not the less
atrocious for that reason.
The general government was intended
by its trainers to operate for the protection
and safety Of all, and If properly administer
ed, will only be felt in the most beDeficent
manner. But whenever it is seized upon,
even under the forms of the constitution, by
one section Of the country, and so wrested
and perverted from its legitimate purposes as
to become an instrument Of oppressionor or de-
graduation To The other, he knows very little
Of the Southern people who believes that they
would submit tamely and ignominiously to
such a government and TO such a Union,
however dear one Of different kind may be,
and, trust and believe, is TO all. Whatever
NAV have been said 10 the contrary, we Of the
South have not sought to control the affairs
Of the country or its government. so as to adj
vance our own peculiar views and interests
al the expense of any other section.
All we have asked for is to be protected in
the rights secured to US by the constitution, ia
be let alone in their enjoyment, and 10 be
treated as equals among the States AID in the
common Territories Of the Union. More than
this we have not sought TO obtain. Less, il
true TO ourselves, we will never submit tC
; take.
E United, as we have been, mainly, in ths
late contest. We have nothing TO fear. For :
time madness and fanaticism ruled the day
and the wisest, the best and most patriotic
in the land were filled with fear and misgiy'
ing. but the result shows that we have a,
friends large and influential body Of patri
otto, conser, alive, national men at the North
who, in crisis like the one We have passed
are ready, at every hazard, TO stand by th'
Union and the rights Of every section. Th
task set before them, regret to say, was on
not easy of accomplishment. But well an,
successfully have they performed it, and en-
titled themselves TO the thanks aud plautlit
Of all and the enternal gratitude Of the South
For the present the contest is ended, perhap
10 be renewed in short time. Let US hap
otherwise, and that peace. order and goo
feeling NAV return and abide with US.
One Of the foremost statesmen Of the land
man eminent for his talents. olgreat know
ledge and experience in public afairs-jus
IN his purposes, national in his views, mode
rate in ali things, and whose private life ha
been as pure and irreproaehable as his publ
one has been honorable and useful-has bee
elected President Of these United States
Scarcely inferior in all the qualities Of
statesman, though Of fewer years and less E,
I pericnce in public affairs, is he who has bee
elected 10 lie second Office within our gift.
With Tie legislative department Of ii
government in accord, surely We have ampl
), reason 10 hope for successful administratic
Of our national affairs, restoration Of peas
and harmony, and Strengthening Of the ti'
h. which bind together the States ~ one NJ
tional Union.
y II gives me pleasure 10 be able to state
you that since your last session, :he gener
condition Of The State has been one OF pro
perity and improvement. Our public wcr!
are steadily advancing, our colleges a.
to schools arc on the increase, and are general
in high state Of prosperity our Connie
School system, though by no means periec
ds is yet gradually improving and lnaniiestlI
" very decidedly some Of the beneficial resul
anticipated Iron il. 0us great interest, q
- rieulture, to say nothing Of others, Is attrac
: ing the notice u deserves, and our people a
on the inquiry for the best modes.cf impro
ing their lands and increasing their crop
Upon the whole, our physical comforts a
being increased, while Il % believed that q
moral condition, as people. is improyin
And though one Of our grain crops ior the pr
sent year has been cut short Tor the want
shi timely rains. yet, in view Of the manic
on blessing we have enjoyed, and The evils fro
'ss which We have been spared, We have amp
- cause TO render thanks 20 that Kind Prov
,lence which hitherto has so cmincnty bIes