Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-01-18

already too apparent towards the absorption
of the States in centralized and eonsoli-
dated Federal Government.
The greater expense Of annual sessions is
sometimes urged as an argument in favor
of biennial; and every argument drawn
from the important principle Of public econ
ONO, IS certainly entitled to respectful con-
s;deration. But think it may we'll be af-
firmed, that in this instance, the argument
from economy is not valid. Without tax
into the account the cost to the State Of the
mischief arising from the delay of needed
Legislation, 1t must be remembered that the
accumulation, through two years, ofbusinesS
demanding the attention of the General As
sembly, will require protraeted sessions for
its due consideration. The time needed for
two annual sessions is not, necessarily, great
er than that required for one biennial ses-
sion. The argument from expense, there
fore, may be readily obviated by proper
limitation of duration, and the question OF
preference may be reduced TO a simple
choice, irrespective Of expense between Inn
tied annual sessions, and unlimited biennial
with occasional extra sessions. My own
Judgment is so thoroughly satisfied upon the
whole matter. that cannot hesitate to rec
ommend an amendment Of the Constitution,
providing for limited annual sessions.
:, Your first and most earnest attention,
gentlemen, will doubtless be directed to the
important matters within the immediate
sphere of your Legislative powers; but you
cannot forget that you representa- sovereign
State of the American Union, third of the
thirty-one, in wealth and power, and popu-
lation, and second to none in patriotic devO-
ton to the welfare of the whole country
The appointment of a Senator to represent
the State in one branch of Congress devolves
upon you, and in making this appointment
you will necessarily be required to consider
the interests Of Ohio as a member of the
Union.
haForennost among these interests IS the
preservation of the Union itself. Establish
ed by the wisdomof our Fathers for the sub
limest and noblest political ends, it descends
70 us as sacred trust. Under its benign
influences our country has steadily advanced
from strength to strength, and from great
ness to greatness, extending her borders,
enlarging her resources, and augmenting
her power, until the name of American citi-
zen has become anobler distinction than was
the name of Roman citizen in the proud
est days of the mightiest Republic of an
tiquity. To maintain the integrity of the
Union; to defend the Constitution which is
its bond; and to guard against all invasion
from whatever quarter those American In
stitutions which the Union and Constitution
secure to us, have ever been, and | trust will
ever be, acknowledged as sacred Obligations
by the people of Ohio.
Cherishing these sentiments and ever
prepared to give full proof of unwayering
fidelity to them, it IS not only our right
but our duty to insist that the interests of
Ohio shall be daily regarded in the admins
trat;on of the General Government Few
States contribute so largely to the national
revenues as our. own. The people of Ohio
have paid to the Federal Government or 10
its gslntees, for the soil which they occupy
and cultivate, more than thirty millions of
dollars. 0ftherevenue derived from duties
NC contribute necessarily in proportion to
snur numbers. As the population of our
State IS about oHe-tenth Of the entire popu-
la'ion Of the Union, We pay about one-tenth
Of that revenue. Its entire amonnt for the
last year exceeded sixty millions of dollars.
,Th9 proportion of Ohio was of course SIX
million. aFE r..E"H
~ While We have thus paid foT the very
sol wo live on, an amount which no other
people has ever paid under like circum-
stances, or under any circum stances, and
while we still contribute thus amply and
freely to the annual revenue, it IS not an
agreeable reflection that of all the States in
which the general government has asserted
q proprietary right to the soil, Ohio has re-
esived the least in grants of lands for edu-
cation, improvement, and other like pupos-
es; and that while millions are expended for
the protection and benefit of commerce on
the Ocean coasts of the Republic, the prop
erty and lives of our own people are expos
ed to continual peril and enormous loss upon
our Rivers and our Lakes for the want of
comparatively insignificant appropriations
for the improvement of their channels and
harb6rs. The injustice of unequal grants of
lands is perhaps beyond remedy; but it will
be our own fault if our rivers and harborS
continue to be thus neglected. G..
While in these and many other impor-
ta1t details of administration the interests
Of oar own State are deeply affected by the
action of the national government, we are
even more vitality concerned in the great
principle by which that action and the pro-
gressiye development of our country are
regulated and controlled.
As man is more than his circumstances,
as freedom is better than wealth, as rights
are of more Importance than institutions, it
becomes US to look well to the fundamental
ideas which determine the character of gov
ernment and the course of its practical OPP
Grafton. The basis of American institu-
tions is the democratic principle of equality
among men. They rest upon the solid
foundation of popular consent. The prima-
~ objects of their establishment are the de-
fense and protection of personal rights. If
they fail to secure these ends, it is the duty
of the people who established to amend or
change them. To organize and administer
government upon these principles is the
true work of a republican people.
While the democratic idea thus constitu-
-tes the basis of American Institutions. vari-