The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-01-23

General Government. Connected as we
are on all sides with States in which
banks of circulation are established, our
actual currency, in the absence of ade-
quate banking capital within our limits,
must necessarily be supplied, il great
measure, by institutions beyond our con-
troll and exempt from our taxation. All
attempts to exclude. by penal legisla-
tion, the bank notes Of other States from
circulation in this, have proved inefecs-
ual; and the public sentiment demands
an increase of banking capital, organized
under our own laws, contributing in just
measure, to our own revenues, and suf-
fcieut to furnish the necessary facilities
for the transaction Of BUSINESS. The
Constitution of the State indicates the
mode in which this demand may be sat
is6ed. It provides for authorizing as
sociations with banking powers, by act
of the General Assembly, to be submit
| ted to the people at the next general
election, and not to take effect, unless
then approved by majority of all the
voters. In framing such an act, should
you deem it expedient to exercise the
power thus vested ib you, the utmost
care should be used to secure the prompt
and certain convertibility of every note
issued, into gold or silver coin, upon de-
mand Of the holder; to protect the COM
munity against all abuses of granted
powers and to guard against the evils
of monopoly by extending the benefits
of the act to all who viii give the ample
securities and guarapties which you will
doubtless, require Ne general, objec-
ton exists to mixed currency of coin
and notes exchangeable for coin at the
will of the holder without loss; while all
mere paper money systems, pregnant
with fraud and fruitful of ruin, justly
incur universal reprobation. = : -
For several years past the law. has al
lowed contracts for interest at the rate
of ten per centum. There seems to be
no valid reason why the capitslist should
be encouraged to demand SO large pro-
portion of the earnings of the producer,
and the profits of the manufacturer and
merchant, I therefore respectfully sug-
tgest a material reduction Of the maxim
ium rate allowed.
need not commend to your judicious
consideration the. Educational and Be-
nevolent Institutions of the State. Uni
versal Education is our cheapest defence
and surest safeguard, and most endu-
ring wealth. Cur Common Schools,
which secure to the people this great
benefit, are firmly established in their
affections, and will justly claim the fos-
tering care of their representative. Our
Benevolent Institutions are noble COM
pliment to our educational system.
Their existence honors the State, and
every patriotic citizen must feel deep
interest in their Improvement and pros
perity The duty of the State will not
be fully performed until the benefits of
these institutions shall be extended to
all. without distinction, who need their
care.
The organization and discipline of the
Militia will rexuire your early consider
alton. The laws on this subject need
thorough revision, to adapt them to the
requirements of the Constitution. Ad-
equate provision should be made for the
enrolment of all citizens liable to mill
tary duty, in order to secure to the
State her due proportion of the public
arms. No necessity, however, seems to
demand actual service from any who do
not feel disposed to perform it. Eli
cheney aud energy will probably be bet
ter secured by the judieious encourage
ment of voluntary organization. The
patriotism of individual citizens, prop
erly sanctioned and supported by legis-
lation, will doubtless be military force
fully competent to all the exigencies of
police, and to whatever more serious
contingencies that may possibly arise.
The Constitution of the State pro-
vides for its own amendment, and as
signs to the Legislature the duty of pro-
posing such notifications as experience
suggests. Changes in the fundamental
law should ever be made With caution !;
but amendments which commend them
selves by their intrinsic merits to the
judgment of the, Legislature, and seem
to be demanded also by a general opin-
ion among the people, have just claim
to be submitted to the final test of pop
ular decision at the polls.
That the people are the source of all
political power is the fundamental prin.
ciple of democratic institutions. To se-
cure true and complete expression Of
the popular will must therefore be a
leading object in every system of repre-.
sentative government. And this object
cappet be attained unless representation
to be so apportioned among the differ.
ent parts Of the State as to give each
it's just weight in legislation and ad min
istration It is obvions that there can
be no complete expression Of the pnpu-
liar will unless the representative be
brought into the closest possible rela-
tious of sympathy and responsibility
with his oonstItHsnts; and that there
can be no iuat anportioument where the