Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-01-04
ence or necessity were essential to the protec-

Is
written in the rise aud fall of every extinct
republic-we read it in the wise laws of every
contemporaneous civilized government--in
the obligations OF our official station and our
duty alike t. the stranger who shall come
among us,aud to our children who shall come
after us, demand it at our hands.
When the original founders of onr Repub-
lie erected the framework of our institutions,
at period when the immigration to our shores
was but five thousand per annnm, with Just
and patriotic jealousy OF those reared under
opposing systems of government, and scam
ming with searching eye the experience ofhis.
tory, they wisely declare, by an organic and
fundamental law, that the chief executive Of
Ulcers of our government, those to whom al me
are entrusted the gravest duties and highest
responsibilities of selecting the Cabinet, of
appointing the Judiciary, of signing or veto
ing all national enactments, of commanding
the army and navy, of making treaties in con.
junction with the Senate, and Of presiding
over the august deliberations of that body,
should be those alone who we're then citizens
or should thereafter be born within the iuris-
diction of the United States. Were those pa
triots to-day to reconstruct their work, with
the experience of the past three quarters of
century before them, with that trihing num-
Der swollen into an immense annual imini-
grafton of five hundred thousand, half mill
lion souls-a population of great State, and
SURPRISING that OF many OF our confederaey-
increasing with an increasing ratio-it is not
too much 10 suppose that the safeg uard as to
birth then applied to OR highest officers,
would be extended to ALL if not also to every
voter whose ballot is instrumental in their
election
That duty is handed down from them to
us. Nobly and fearlessly did they perform
what fell to their generation. confident in the
belief and expectation that their children
could be safely left in their turn to complete
their work, as experience should require, or
danger demand
L have spoken of the principles of he
amendments you will be called upon to con-
slider. Unfortunately, in the hurry of the
closing days of the session, the phraseology of
the one last referred to, is so imperfect. as to
need, in my judgment, essential modification,
and therefore renders necessary its renewed
passage in all amended form. 1t provides that
"no person shall be entitled to vote in this
Commonwealth, unless he shall have been
resident within the jurisdiction of the United
States twenty-one years, and legally natural
lied" Doubtless the phrase "of foreign
brit" was intended TO have been inserted inn
mediately after the first two words.
In consonance with the above principles, l
would also suggest the expediency of con-
stitutIonal amendment, similar to that which
the people of neighboring State have re-
Gently ratified, that no person shall be permit
ted to waite who cannot read and write.
One additional amendment yet remains for
your consideration, which provides that ''no
person shall be imprisoned Tor any debt here
after contracted, except in cases of fraud"
also commend this measure to your favorable
action.
The power conferred by the Constitution of
our State upon its chief executive magis-
trate. of vetoing the acts of tie Legislature,
is granted i'll general terms. without limitation
MS to cause, and has frequently been exercised
by many of my predecessors. 1t has long
been the opinion, however, Of some of our
most eminent statesmen, that the true theory
OF a republican government, and wise states
manship, inculcate, that except where the
executive is convinced Of the unconstitution-
atty of the measure proposed, or in the event
OF evidently hasty and III rhAlAsifAfe
representatives OF the people, should not be
thwarted by the interposition Of the veto
power.
Entertaining these views, have heretofore
given my approval, in some cases, to acts and
resolves, the e> pediency of which l some
what doubted, or which were merely declara-
tory of the sentiments of the Leglslature.-
This rule will continue to guide nv action
but from all measures presented for my con
sideration, involving, in my deliberate iudg-
ment, constitutional doubts, l shall in the
future, as have heretofore, unhesitatingly
withhold my sanction.
One act of this nature, notwithstanding the
decided opinion of the Attorney General, that
1t was 'tclearly repu gnant TO the provisions of
the Constitution of the United States" and
"that in his Judgment the bill is in violation
Of the Constitution" of Massachusetts, not
withstandingi it attempts in express terms to
give the sanction of law to what our Supreme
Court, in an opinion signed by all its Justices
in reply to question propounded to them by
the Executive, with the advice and consent of
the Council, declared could not ''rightfully or
legally" be done, Notwithstanding also the
consequent Withholding of the Executive APP
proyal from it, became, by the requisite con-
stitutional majoriues, the law Of Massachu.
sets.
The people of our State, knowing how es-
sential sacred observance OF laws is to the
perpetuity OF our, or any republican insttu-
tons, recognizing the blessings derived from
the Constitution Of the United States both
for security at home and dignity abroad, I'M
hestatingly acknowledge all their obligations
to obey the requirements OF that instrument.
When one of the confederated States futilely
attempted to nullify its powers, there was but
one feeling Of reprobation throughout all our
borders. The ablest statesman Massachusetts,
ever intruste,l with her interests, OH the floors
of Congress, by his successful maintenance of
the paramount authority of the Constitution
Of the United States, displayed comprehen-
siveness OF craftsmanship, which was even
greater than the majestic eloquence withwhicn
he vindicated his position.
Tie passage Of this Act is deeply to be de-
plored, because sit ASSERTS or looks to the
maintenance Of rights not clearly and consti-
tutionaly ours" which course of action, in
my inaugural address, Istrenuously urged the
last Legislature to agoid-becau it weak ems
the moral effect Of the influence of our State,
because it sets an example, which, il fol-
lowed by other members of The confederacv,
will most certainly destroy our only bond OF
union-and because it tends to an armed con.
fict between the State and the National gov
ernments. Either this law must remain
dead letter on our statute book, unenforced
when the hour oil trial comes, thus reducing
Massachusetts to the humiliating position Of
enacting law she has not the courage to en-
force, or else, il the attempt is made, it must
be supported by the whole military array of
the State in direct and immediate COZ hiet with
the army Of the United States. There is no
alternative but submission or open war
While Massachusetts will be loyal to her
constitutional obligations she demands tl at
all her constitutional rights shall be respect
ed. She asks the fulilneRt Of national com
pacts, the faithful performance of the sacred
agreements Of the fathers, and. though tho