Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-11-28
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Executive DEPARTMENT,
RALEIGH, Nov. II, 1856. !.
To the Honorable the General Assembly 20 -,


To the Honorable tie General Assembly a
OfMe State of North CarolinG:l
vTr sn,rN. You have been elected by the people of
the State to represent them in this General
They have conded to you powers the highest ana most
imnortant known to government and laws. Coming
az Won do fresh from the great body OF your feio"S
zens and from every section of the State it IS
that you are acquainted with their wants and
and that these will be provided for so Ia as u can 10
done by wholesome and enlightened IelSIaLon
not that every effort will be made on your part not 10
disappont these reasonable expectations For nay OWL
allow me to assure you that my aid, however feeDle,
shall at all times be given towards your apOlS
Before touching upon matters concerning more espe
caly our own State and poity allow me to consratu
ate Won upon the happy termination of the exciting pol
ica contest through which the country has lately pass
ed For the first time in our history we have seen an
attempt seriously made by section or more properly
speaking, by political party of that section to get the
control Of the different departments ofthe general gov
ement with the determination expressed to administer
that government on strictly sectional party grounds 1t
virtually attempt to degrade section and 10
endanger its institutions, and to deny to it tse equal
rights and privileges to which all the States IN the Union
entitled, and which hitherto they have enjoyed
True it is that all this sought to be done accord
ing to the forms of the constitution But the attempt
was not the less atrocious for that reason.
The general government was intended by its trainers
to operate for the protection and safety OF ALL and II
properly administered will only be felt in the most ben
efcent But whenever it is seized upon even
under the forms of the constitution by one section OF
itmate purposes to become instrument OF oppres
sion degradation to the other he knows very little OF
the Southern people who believes that they would SUP
nit tamey and ANONYMOUSLY to such government anG
to such Union however dear of different Kho
may be, and trust and believe is to all WhateVer
may have been said to the contrary We OF the oouth
have not sought control the affairs of the country or
its government as to advance our own pecullAr Views
and interests at the expense of any other section
All have askedfor is to be protected in the rights
secured to by the constitution to be let alone III he
enjoyment and to be treated equals among the STATES
and in the Territories ofthe Union More than
this have not sought to obtain Less, II true 10 our
selves We will never submit to take.
United as have been mainly in the late contest,
we have nothing to fear For time madness and fanatl
cSm ruled the day. and the wisest the best ana most
patriotic in the land filed with fear and lSglVng
But the result shows that have as friends large
and influential body of patriotic, conservative, natoha
at the North, who in crisis like the one we nave
passed. ready at every hazard to stand by the Union
and the rights Of every section The task SET Oeior9
them regret to say, one not easy oil accomplish
ment But we'll and successfully have they performed
it, and entitled themselves to the thanks and plaudlts OF
all and the eternal gratitude ofthe South For the pre-
sent the contest is ended perhaps to be renewed III
short time Let US hope otherwise and that peace,
der and good feeling may return and abide with u.s.
One of the foremost statesmen of the land man en-
nent for his talents Of great knowledge and experience
in public aairsjust in his purposes, national IN ms
views, moderate in all things, and whose private lie
has been pure and rreproachable as his public one
has been honorable and usefuhas been elected Presl-
qualities Of statesman though of fewer years and less
experience in public affairs is he who has been elected
to the second office within gift.
With the legislative department Ofthe government IN
accord surely have ample to hope for sue
CesSful administration of national affairs reStor-
alton Of peace and harmony and Strengthening OF the
ties which bind together the States in one National Union
1t gives me pleasure to be able to state to you that
since your last session, the general condition OF the
State has been one of prosperity and Improvement Our
public works steadily advancing, eur colleges and
schools the increase and are generally IN high
state Of prosperity Common School SYSTEM though
by no means perfect, is yet gradually improving and
maneStng very decidedly ofthe beneficial results
anticipated from it, Our great nteres, agriculture, to
nothing Of Others is attracting the notice 1t deserV
es and people the enquiry for the best modes
of improving, their lands and increasing their crops
Upon the whole physical comforts being increas
ed while it is believed that moral condition,
people, is improving. And though one of our grair
crops for the present year has been cut short for thu
want of timely rains yet in view of the manifold bles
sings have enjoyed, and the evils from which VIZ
have been spared have ample cause to render thank
to that kind Providence which hitherto has so emnent
blessed our people and country.
The first subject to which desire to call your more
particular attention u.s. the important one of the public
debt of the State
In advance of the report of the Public Treasurer
which will in due time be presented to you that office
has, at my request furnished me with the following
statement shelving the Indebtedness of the State b.
bonds the various items composing the same for Wha
purposes incurred, and the times at which these sum
respectively fall due:
AMOUNT. wHbN DUE.
Eor6r ,Jais PAL