Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-12-03
GOVERNORS sMESSAGEt
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Columbia, S. c., Nov "a, 1856.
Gentlemen of the Senate

Columbia, S. c., Nov. "a, 1856.
Gentlemen of the Senate
and House of Representatives
The object for which you were recently con-
vened in extra session has been determined.
The popular voice has declared in favor of the
party of our preference. The past admonishes
us to reserve the full measure of our rejoicing
to the day when the ayowed policy Of the party
shall have been honestly carried out; when
Justice shall be re-established, and tranquility
be restored to the country. Then, indeed, will
the victory be one worthy of the strongest de-
monstration which patriotism can indulge So
far as the result may be regarded as rebuke
to that Northern party, whose principle of cho-
hesion is hatred TO the South, we share in the
general satisfaction. Considered in reference
to the vital issue between the North and the
South, fear that il will be barren triumph
that it will prove to be, at best, but brief re-.
spite of feverish, exhausting excitement, des-
tined to end in embittered feeling and distrac-
ted counsel among ourselves. Slavery and
Freesoism can never be reconciled. Our ene-
mics have been defeated-no vanquished. A
majority of the free States have declared against
the South, upon purely sectional issue, and
in the remainder of them, formidable minorities
fercely contended for victory under the same
banner The triumph Of this geographical par
ty must dissolve the confederacy, unless we are
prepared to sink down into state Of acknowl-
edged inferiority. We will act as wisely to EN-.
ploy the interval of repose afforded by the late
election, in earnest preparation for the inevitable
conflict. The Southern States have never de,
manded more than equality and security. They
can not submit 10 less, and remain in the Union,
without dishonor and ultimate ruin.
The internal state Of the commonwealth
over whose affairs you are called to deliberate,
exhibits gratifying condition of general pros
perity and contentment. The State has been
mercifully spared tine scourse of the "pesilence
which wasteta," and our people have sown and
reaped in peace. Impressed with sense of our
mutual obligations, and with hearts full of graft
tude to God, we enter on the work of duty be-
fore us.
In the performance Of the part assigned to
me, proceed to lay before you such informa-
tion Of the condition of the State, and to re-
commend to your consideration such measures
as Judge necessary or expedient."
The profits of the bank Of the State for the
: last year, amount TO- .S2s0,A69.4O, exceeding
those of the previous year by S7,4ls.4s.
During the fiscal year the public dabl charged
on the bank has been reduced S64,340.7S. The
President of the bank informed me that .e ex-
pected 10 make u further reduction OF about
$4,000, the arrangements for which could not
=cosapietea- before-.ho close of the fz,nl-
year.
[ refer you to the report of the Comptroller
General for detailed statement Of the finan-
cia condition of the State. Since the first of
October, 1855, the public debt has been increas-
rs follows: BY issue of bonds to construct
New State House, S25O.oOo; by subscription
to Blue Ridge Railroad, 100000.
The following table exhibits the debt, liabili-
ty, and assets Of The State: