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

but to the plsinest declaration of the
views OF public policy, which investiga.
tion and reflection have led me to adopt,
subject always to the corrections Of rea-
son and experience.
IF I may not hope for generalicon
renee in these views. may at least ex.
pect, from the intelligence and justice Of
the people, candid consideration and i'm
partial Judgment. =
The sovereignty Of the People is the
distinguishing charaeteristic of our In
stitutions. The People constitute the
State. Governnsut is nothing but the
decentralization of the affairs of the peo-
pie by the agents Of the people. select
ed in such manner and invested with
such powers as are best adapted, in their
judgment to the security of their own
rights and the advancement oftheir own
interests.
To the successful working Of such in
s.itutions two conditions are indispensa-
ble. The frst is, personal freedom the
second is official responsibility. With
out personal freedom, inyioiably secured
to every individual. there may be a COM
munity Of privileged superiors and de-
graded dependents; but there cannot
be, in the true sense Of the word, Peo-
pie. Without responsibility, constant
ly exacted and vigorously enforced, the
servants Of the People are but too apt
to become their masters Eternal vigi-
lanee..it has been we'll said, is ,he price
of Liberty.
In our cwn State personal freedom is
guaranteed by the fundamental law !;
and the responsibility of public servants
is secured by the partition Of govermen-
tai powers, BY strict limitations of au-
thority, aud by frequent elections.
To you, Senators and Representa-
tiyes. belongs exclusively the function
of Legislation. No part of this power,
and no control whatever over your exer-
else of It is eonfded to the Executive
To hiu belongs the duty of recomnend-
ing to your consideration such measures
a. he may think best adapted to pro-
mote the spuplic welfare; but there his
duty ends. The rest is yours
To secure Individual rights against in
vasion; to furnish adequate remedies for
the redress of injuries Ito provide the
means and diffuse the benefits of educa-
ton; to rescue, from unhappy destinies
those children of sorrow, the deaf, the
dumb, the blind, the insane; to define
the just course and limits of individual
and associated action; to develop the
resources, protect the interests, and de-
fend the honor of the State; to main
tain the p bic faith, and make provis-
ion for the discharge of the public obli-
CATIONS: these are some of the high du-
ties which the Constitution of the State
aud the choice of the People deYolve
upon you.
For the supply of the means necessa-
~ to the due performance of these du-
ties, aud to the proper administration of
the State government, the patriotism Of
the people may be safely trusted; but
they will jastly require that no more
revenue be collected than is indispensa-
bly, necessary to these ends; and that
clear accounts be rendered of its faith
ful application to proper public purpo-
| ses.
The burdens of taxation have become
very grieyous Reform, both in mea-
sure and in mode Is universally demand
ed and earnestly invoke your most
serious attention to this important m at
ter. As far as possible, the aggregate
of taxation should be reduced by the in.
PRODUCTION of rigid economy into every
branch of the public service; and the
greatest care should be taken to appor-
tion its burdens equally upon all non ex-
empt property Of every description, by
whopsoever held. No favor and no dis
favor should be shown toward one de-
seription of property or class of owners,
rather than towards another
Under Instructions issued by the late
Auditor of State, the statutory right of
each citizen to deduct his debts from
his credits, in listing his property for
taxation, has been denied. In issuing
these instructions, the late Auditor was
governed, doubtless, by respect for q de.
cision of majority of the Judges of the
sapreme Court. by which tho section Of
the act which allows this deduction, was
declared to be unconstitutional. Not
vithstanding that decision, however, the
Legislature has not thought 6t to repeal
the Law. and it may be doubted whether
the Court, upon reconsideration, will
adhere to the opinion heretofore express
ed. Should the present Auditor, un-
der these circumstances, think it his du-
~ to conform bis Instructions to the
statute, which.remnins unrepealed, rath-
or than to the opinion Of the majority of
the Court, the right denied By his pre-
decessor will be restored.
| A sound aud sufficient currency Is In.
dispensable to the welfare Of every civ
ilized 5oommunity. The best practices.
BILE currency, in my Judgment. would be
: egrsspsy If q9in, ssdamaisting I'd the uss Of
Elarge notes only for The ee96dgl,elnliisnee 9t
tcommeroe. Such . ouyyepcy, however,