The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-01-15

once ~ tuo CON pttfrauoh ei1eNOes AaNN
by the test il must be Sdnihed that the sal
aries OF the Supreme lodges, end, in some
parts Of the State, Of Common Pleas Judges,
are insufficient. Learned and nbie Judges,
OF the Supreme Court have resigned their
places because unable to serve for the COM
pebsation allowed; and in some OF the Coun' !
ties \ Is impossible 10 induce men ot large |
experience, learning and requirement TO
tteept fudiciai positions. In considering
this sutaecf il may be well 10 remember that
the whole amount Of the solaries Of all the
Judges OF the Supreme Court and Common
Pleas Courts, is less than the annual cost
ofthrec Lunatic Asylums.
alleged abuscs OF the elective franchise
viii probably claim yo.r attention. The
right Of suffrage is sacred. II is the right to
vote which makes the citizen a sovereign
II is the right which Of oil pol rights is
70 be most serUpulOusly guarded and most
fssohtely defended. Every citizen, native
or naturaliaed, is entitled to the most abso'
lutte freedom and security in the exercise OF
il. Frauds upon this right merit the sever
est reprobation; for The fraudulent voter
cheats The people of the Eightful control OF
their own affairs. Every suitable measure
for the prevenion of such frauds will de-
eerpe your earnest attention. II will only
be needf1l TO beware lest the proposed
remeds for one class of evils become the
source Of others still more greiTous.
The subject of amendments Of the State
Constitution must necessarily come under
your consideration at the present session.
Upon former occasion submitted to you
my views in favor Of amendments provid.
ing for an impartial distribution Of poliIica!
power among all portions Of the State and
for the adequate representation of every in
terest, by Single Districts; andsecuring efec-
tive supervision over every department OF
administratic1 and q ready adaptation Of
legislation to The wants and wishes OF tie
people, by Annual Sessions.
Much dissatisfaction is expressed with the
constitutional organization Of the Judiciary,
n0d particularly with tle system OF District
Courts. Some relief from the inconvenien-
ces complained of may be gained by repeal
ing the legislative provisions for jury trials
in the District Courts, and by relieving them
from holding more annual terms than the
Constitution absolutely requires. Whether
for the present the evils of the existing sys-
TEN shall be redressed as far as possible by
shall be made TO effect a more radical cure
through an amendment OF the Constitution,
submit, respectfully, to your better judg.
ment.
Other amendments OF the Constitution
may, doubtless, be made with advantage
suggest only those which seem to be most
essential, and most generuily demanded by
the public sentiment.
The internal concerns and interests Of
the State will chiefly engage your dehbera-
tons: bat its relations 10 the National Gov
eminent, uId to the other members Of the
Confederacy, cannot be altogether disre-
garded.
Having surrendered to the Federal Gov.
eminent, among other great prerogatves,
the important powers OF maintaining an Ar
my and Navy, and OF raising revenue by du-
ties on imports, it becomes the duty of the
States to observe its action with even
jealous vigilance.
The tendency to wastefhl extratagace and
to Capitalization of power, which alarmed
the fears OF early patriots, has, of late years
become more and more conspicuous
Enormous revenues, contributed by thu
people, almost unconscously, in the form
of enhanced prices, foster in the Nationa
Legislature contempt Of economy, an
encourage ct mbinatons for the pilage Q
the Treasury under delusive pretexts c
public good.
Ohio, paying one-tenth Of these contribu
tions, has substantial interest in thes
matters, which should not be overlooked
and it cannot be deemed unfit that he
General Assembly should give expression
to her demand for retrenchment and reform
and for reductionofrevenue,t the only sufficien
security for both.
Immediately after the close oe your lat
session, in conformity with your instrctiont
transmitted 10 the Governor of each Stat
copy of Joint Resolutions of the Genera
Assembly relative to Kansas affairs. TIL
Governor of Mississippi has returne
the copy transmitted to him, in pursuance
as he states, of the requirements of Join
Resolution of the Legislature of that State
OF which he transmits copy. submit hi
communication to your consideration withou
comment.
The relations Of the National Governmen
to Slavery, still engross large share OF th
public attention; but I have little to add Il
the considered views which have ALREADY
expressed.
That Slavery is contrary to reason an
natural justice; thot it is OF such nntur
that nothing short of positive law can sustain
it; that no power to enact such laws ha
been granted to the National Government
and that Slavery, therefore, outside of Slav'
Sletes, can have no valid legal sanction, seen
to me incontrovertible propositions.
The original policy Of the country was il
harmony with these ideas. 1t contemplate'
she exclusion of Slavery from Natona
Territories; the exertion Of the legitimate
influence of the General Government on tht
side of Freedom; and the amelioration an
final eradication of the great evil by The
action of the State Governments, withou
intervention or interference by Nationa
Legislation.
"T'he abolition Of Slavery, y,"--said MFR
JEFFERSON, at the commencement OF tht
Revolutionary struggle-"is the creates
object of desire in these colonies" at
the pride and boast OF America, ,"-said Mr.
MADISON, speaking at the close Of the wa
in behalf of the American Congress-"tha
the rights for which she contended were tn
rights OF human aatare." "There is but on
way,"-said GEORGE WASHINGTON, speakin
at still later period OF the abolition Q
Slavery--"by which it can be accomplished
audtha is by legislative authority, and thi
So far as my suffrage can go, shall not b
wanting"
We need not hesitate to walk in the path
marked by the footsteps Of the Fathers.
Within the Inst two months | have re