Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-01-24

gratitude to the People, as deep as 1t is
fervent, for the generous confidence which
their sufIrages evidence, will const.an me,
irresistibly, not only to the best exertion
Of all my faculties in their service, but to
the views oil public pOlicy,whch investigation
and reflection have led me to adopt, subject
always 10 the corrections Of reason and ex-
perience.
If may not hope for general concurrence
in these views, may at least expect, from
the inte gence and justice Of the people,
candid Consideration and impartial judg-
ment
The sovereignty OF the People is the dis
tinguislIing characteristic Of our Institutions
The People constitute the State. Govern
ment is nothing but the administration Of the
affairs of the People by the agents Of the
People. selected in such manner and Unrest
ed with such powers as are best adapted,
in their judgment, TO the security Of their
own rights, and the advancement Of their
own interests.
To the successful working Of such nsti.
tutlons two conditions are indispensable.-
The first is, personal freedom: the second
is official responsibility Without personal
freedom, invioiably secured 10 every indi-
vidual, there may be community of privi-
legged superiors and degraded dspondan,s; Sut
there cannot be, in the true sense o! the
word, People.
Without responsibility, constnn,ly exacted
g. vigorously enforced, the servants of ths
People are but too apt to Become their
masters. Eternal vigilance, it has been
well said, is th5 price of Liberty.
In our own State personal freedom is
guaranteed by the fundamental Jaw: and the
responsibility Of public servants is secured
by the partition of governmental powers,
by strict limitations OF authority, and by
frequent elections.
To you, Senators and Representatives be-
longs exclusively the function of egisia-
ton. No part OF this power, and no con-
troll whatever over your exercise of it, is
confded to the Executive. To him be-
longs the duty of recommending to your
consideration such measures as he may
think best adapted to promote the public
welfare; but there his duty enls. The rest
is yours.
TO secure individual rights against in
vasiou; to furnish adequate remedies for the
redress of mi lries; to provide the mean,
and diffuse the benefits of education; TO
rescue. from unhappy destinies, those child
dren of sorrow, the deaf, the dumb, the
lind and the insane; to define the just course
and limits of individual and associated ac-
ton; to develop the resources. protect the
interc sts, and defend the honor of the State;
to maintain the public faith, aud make prov-
sion for the discharge OF the public oblga-
are some of the high duties
which The Constitution 0! the State and
the choice Of the People devo,ve nPoa you.
For the supply Of the means necessary
TO the due performance OF these duties, and
to the proper administration Of the State
government, the patriotism Of the people
may be safely trusted; but they will justly
require that no more revenue be collected
than is indispensably necessary to these ends;
Il that clear accounts be rendered of its
faithful application TO proper public Pur-
poses.
The burdens of te-.tion iave b,com,
very gr!eyoas. Reform, both in mels~r~
and in mode, is universally demanded; and
earnestly invoke your most serious at
tent;on to this important matter. As far a6
possible the aggregate o: taxatoc should
be reduced by the introduction of rigid
economy into every branch of the public
service; and the greatest care should be
taken to opportion its Burdens equally upon
all non-exempt property Of every description,
I'll NJ nd d;s
favor should be shcwn towards one descrip-
ton OF property or class of owners, rather
than towards another.
Under instructions issued BY the late
Auditor of State, the statutory right ot each
citizen to deduct his debts from his credits
in listing his property for taxation, has
been denied. In issuing these instructions,
the late Auditor was governed, doubtless,
by respect for decision of majority Of
the Judges Of the Supreme Court. by which
the section of the act which allows this
deduction. was declared to be unconstitu-
tional.' Notwithstanding that decision, how
ever, the Legislature has not thought FL TO
repeal the law, and it msy be doubted
,yhe,her the Court, upon reconsideration,
Will adhere 10 lne oplillob hV'St''"iS co"
uressed Should the present Auditor, un-
der these circumstances, think it his duty
IN conform his instructions 20 the statute,
which remains unrepealed, rather than 10
the opinion of the majorty of the Court.
the right denied by his predecessor will be
restored.
A SQUAD and sufficient currency is indis-
to the welfare o! every civilized
The best practicable currency
in NV Judgment, would be currency OF
coin, admitting the use of large notes,only
for the convenience of commerce. Such
currencv however, is only attainaSIe through
the legislation of Congress, and the action
or the General Government. Connected as
wa are on all sides with States in which
hanks of circulation are established, our
actual currency, in the absence of adequate
h, nkinp capital within our limits, must ne
he supplied in great measure, by
institutions beyond our control and exempt,
from our taxation. All attempts 10 exclude
bv nenal legislation, the bank notes of 9TH
ar states from circulation in this, have
n,.ved Intellectual; and the public sentiment
Icmand, an increase Of sanking capital,
under our own laws, contributing,
in inst measure, TO our own revenues, and
spG;cient to furnish the necessary facilities
= .-o.santion nf husinegs, The Com