The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1857-01-15


ing more annual terms than the Constitu
tion absolutely requires. Whether for
the present the evils of the existing sys-
tenn shall be redressed as far as possible
by these or other expedients, or an at
tempt shall be made to effect more radi-
cal cure through an amendment of the
Constitution. submit. respectfully, to
your better Judgment.
Other amendments of the Constitution
may, doubtless, be made with advantage.
suggest only those which seem TO be
most essential. and most generally de-
manded by the public sentiment.
The internal concerns and interests of
the State will chiefly engage your deliber-
ations: but its relations to the National
Government, and to the other members
OF the confcderacy, cannot be altogether
disregarded.
Having surrendered to the Federal
Government, among other great preroga-
tives, the important powers of maintaining
an Army and Navy, and of raising reve-
nue. by duties on imports. it becomes the
duty of the States to observe it's action
with even jealous vigilance.
The tendency to wasteful extravaganza
and to Capitalization Of power, which
alarmed the fears Of the early patriots,
has, of'late years become more and more
conspicuous. Enormous revenues, con-
tr buted by the people, almost uncon-
sciously, in the form of enhanced prices,
tester in the National Legislature con
tempt of economy, and encourage combi-
nations for the pillage of the Treasury un-
der delusive pretexts of public good.
Ohio. paying e-tenth Of these contri-
buttons, has substantial interest in these
matters, which should not be overlooked;
and it cannot be deemed unfit that her
General Assembly should give expression
to her demand for retrenchment and re-
form, and for reduction of revenue, the
only sufficient security for both.
Immediately after the close of your
late session. in conformity with your in
structions, l transmitted to the Governor
of each State copy Of Joint Resolutions
OF the General Asst mbly relative to Kan
sas affairs. The Governor of Mississippi
has returned the copy transmit ed to him,
in pursuance, as he~states, of the re-
quirements of Joint Resolution of the
Legislature of that State, of which he
transmits copy | submit his COM
munication to your consideration with
out comment.
The relations of The National Govern
ment to Slavery, still engross large share
OF the public attention; but have little
to add to the considered views which I
have already expressed.
That Slavery is contrary to reason and
natural justice; that it is of such nature
that nothing short of positive law can sus-
tain it /; that ne power to enact such laws
has been granted to the National Govern
ment and that Slavery, therefore, out
side of Slave States, can have no valid le-
gal sanction, seem to me incontrovertible
propositions.
The original policy of the country was
in harmony with these ideas. Itcontem
plated the exclusion of Slavery from Ma
tional Territories the exertion of the 1e-
gi,imate influence of the General Govern
ment on the side of Freedom; and the
ameloration and final eradication Of the
great evil by the action Of the State Gov
ernments, without Intervention or inter-
ference by National Legislation.
1.-The abolition of Slavery. said Mr..
Jefferson, at the commencement of the
Revolutionary sfruggle-.'is the great
est object of desire in these colonies y
at is the pride and boast of America, /"
said Mr.. Madison, speaking at the
close of the war in behalf OF the Amer
;can Congress -."that the rights for
which she contended were the rights of
human nature" "Thcre is but one
proper way said George Washing
ton, speaking at still later period of the
abolition OF Slavery by which it can
be accomplished, and. that is by legisla-
tive authority, and this, so far as my suf-
flage can go, shall not be wanting.
We need not hesitate to walk in the
paths marked by the footsteps of the
| Fathers.
Within the last two months l have re-
ceived several communications from emf
grants to Kansas FROM Ohio, earnestly
appealing for protection and aid. OF
these appeals one was in the form Of an
affidavit from eleven citizens imprisoned
under various charges at Lecompton Ten
of these prisoners. though formerly citi
zens of Ohio, are now residents of Kan
sas. The eleventh, an old man of seventy
years, soldier near half century ago
under Jackson, was still citizen of Ohio,
on visit to some friends in the Territory
The real offence of all was the defence of
Free State homes against Slave State in
vasion. Their seizure, their imprison-
ment, their indictments, and their cruel
treatment, constitute dark chapter in
the dark history of wrong and outrage in
Kansas.
On receiving this appeal I thought it
right to address an earnest letter to Gov.
Geary in behalf Of the prisoners. l also
sent for their immediate relief sum of
money contributed by private beni6cence.
which, however. failed to reach the dcsti-
nation in consequence of the necessary
return of the gentleman to whom it was
entrusted without having entered the
TER tory. 1t gives me pleasure to in
form you that most of these prisoners
have since escaped or have been acquit-
ted. am not aware that any of them
yet remain in confinement.
Another of these communications comes
from committee of Ohio Settlers in
u Al Al