The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-01-26

]
note issued. into gold and silver coin, upon
demand of the holder; to protect the com
munity against all abuses of granted powers
and to guard against the evils of monopoly
by extending The benefits of the act TO all
who will give the ample securities and guar
antics which you will, doubtless, require.
No general objection exists to a mixed cur
rency Of coin and notes exchanged BILE for coin
at the will of the holder without loss while
all mere paper money systems, pregnant with
fraud and fruitful of ruin, Justly incur uni
versal reprobation.
For several years past the law has allowed
contracts for interest at the rate of ten per
centum. There seems to be no valid reason
why the capitalist should be encouraged to
demand SO large proportion of the earnings
of the producer and the profits of the man
utacturer and the merchant therefore re-
spctfully suggest material reduction of the
maximum tate allowed.
| need not commend to your iudcious
consideration the educational and benevolent
institutions Of the state. Universal educa-
tlon is our cheapest defence and surest safe
guard and most enduring wealth. Our COM
mon schools, which secure the people this
great benefit, are firmly established in their
affections, and will justly claim the fostering
care of their representatives. Our benevo-
lent institutions are noble compliment to
our educational system. Their existence
honOrs the state, and every patriotic citizen
ment and prosperity. The duty of the state
will not be fully performed until the benefits
of these institutions shall be extended to all,
without distinction, who need their care
The organization and discipline of the mi
itia will require your early consideration.
The laws on this subject need thorough revi-
sion, to adapt them to the requirements Of
the constitution. Adequate provision should
be made for the enrolment of all citizens IL
able to military duty, in order to secure the
state her due proportion of the public arms.
No necessity, however, seems to demand ac-
tual service from any who do not feel dis
posed to perform it. Efficiency and energy
will probably be better secured by the Judi
cious encouragement of voluntary organiza-
ton. The patriotism of individual citizens,
iproperly sanctioned and supported by legs-
lation, will doubtless supply military force
fully competent TO all the exigencies of po-
lrre, and to whatever more serious contin-
gencies may possibly arise.
The constitution of the state provides for
its own amendment, and assigns to the leg
isature the duty Of proposing such modii-
cations as experience suggests. Changes i'll
the fundamental law should ever be made
with caution; but amendments which COM
mend themselves by their intrinsic merits
10 the judgment of the Legislature, and seem
to be demanded also by general opinion
among the people have just claim TO be
submitted to the final test OF popular decis-
ion at the polls.
That the people are the source Of all poit-
ical power is the fundamental principle Of
democratic institutions. To secure a true
and complete expression of the popular will
must therefore be leading object in every
system of representative government. And
this object cannot be attained unless repre-
sentation be so apportioned among tho diff
ferent parts of the state as to give to eacl.
, its just weight in legislation and administra-
| ton. 1t is obvious that there can be no