The true Democrat., 1856-01-01
Message of the Governor of Vir-
 oinia.

NC Copy llOiIl tue nlCuIllOllu Examiner the concluding portion or the message of his ex- celency the Governor to the Assembly of Vir. ginia. The Legislature was convened and or ganiZed on Monday. St. George Tucker, esq, was elected clerk, and Oscar M Crutchfed, the late incumbent, speaker
 On Tuesday the message of his excellencv the Governor was presented. It shows that the State is heels over head in debt deficiency of $5OOOO0 is reported by the auditor, and ap- propriations to the amount of moro than S3OO,- GOO have not been met. Besides this, several internal improvement companies will fail to meet the interest on their bonds for which the State is responsible, and they also will throw an additional onus on the State. To meet the emergency, however, the Governor proposes that the Legislature shall step forward and de- clare unequlvocally, by imposing the necessary taxes, that the credit of the State shall be sus- tained.
 He alludes to the recent action of the State of Massachusetts, in nulllfying the fugitive slave law, and in relation to that subject, speaks as follows:
 We have warned our northern brethren O. the evil tendency of their acts, not only in the direct assault upon our rights, but of the nev table effect of such course to destroy friendly relationship. We have reminded them of ou former happy intercourse and unqualified bro thcriy affection. We have remonstrated, pro tested, appealed to them "They too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and consan guinlty." It becomes, then, to enquire SO lemnly what course we shall pursue? Many suggestions have occupied the public mind.
 By some 1t has been suggested to adopt sys tenn of retaliation, by taking possession of the vessels and other property when within ou jurisdiction, and by acting towards the.r own CTS, when attempting to assert their rights, yre clsely as they act towards a master attempting to secure his slave, passing laws similar to theirs and harrasslng and annoying them with crimi nal prosecutions, penalties and forteitures By others It has been thought best to discriminate against the States which exhibit hostility to oul institutions by imposing rigid commercial re- strlctlons, laying taxes upon their goods, and obstructmg ther intercourse by every means sanctioned by the constitution. Some would appeal to our sister States who suffer similar ills with us, and recommend the call of a southern convention to consult together for our safety and the security of our property, and if need be, resume those sovereign powers now dele gated to the general overnment-.whle others would at once rush into the alternative of dis solving the Union, and refuse to submitt to con sttutional provisions, which are violated with mpunlty under the sanction of State autho rity.
 Such propositions, gravely mooted by legis lative bodies, by executive functionaries, and b, the pc )ple in their primary assemblies are SO lemn warnings of imminent danger. History teaches to what they lead. When men begin to talk of pledsing their lives, their fortune: and their sacred honor to preserve their rights weneed not be told that the spirit of the father: ot the revolution Is reanimated. The subject Is one for deep reflection and wise council .- l Threats and menaces are useless I leave it tC the calm consideration and dignifed action o the General Assembly, confidently believing that no rash step will be taken, but that wher acton IS decided on, it will be such as will vin- dlcate our rights, rebound to the honor of the commonwealth and to the glory of the Union
 1 have thus frankly exhibited to the General Assembly my views of the condition of the commonwealth, of her great works, institutions and interests, recommended such action as my mnd suggested, and invoked your aid in rais- Ing Virginia to the eminence she ought to oc. cupy. My term is about to expire by constitu- tonal limit. My successor has been appointed by an overwhelming ma jority, demonstrating that he possesses, as he deserves, the confidence of the people. l shall retire to private life with the consciousness of having discharged my duty to the best of my abli y looking to Vrglnla's advancement with a longing eye, and trusting with the most perfect reliance to you, and to my successor, to protect her interests, guard her rights and her honor, and perpetuate her fame JOS. JOHNSON
 December, 3, 1855.