Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-10-29
ADJOURNED SESSION, OCT. 10, 1857.
Fsilop- CdiSens,
and Gentlemen of the Senate

nave DSCll Cdilcu ny tuS pcOplcS III uC-
cordance with the form Of the constitution,
TO preside over the executive department Of
the State. enter upon the discharge OF the
duties thus imposed upon me with great
distrust of my own ability and experience,
but with firm determination, under
sense of my responsibilities, 10 do every
thing in my power to promote the prosper-
ty of the commonwealth and the happiness
and welfare OF the people.
Respect for my own character, and
sentiment Of Difference to public opinion, a.
like, impel me to declare frankly and ex-
plicitly the principles by which shall be
governed.
Our relations as a State are two-fold,
federal and local; and these respectively
secure 10 us distinct rights, and impose
upon us distinct duties. As a member OF
the conlederacy, we, in our organized sove-
reign capacity, are party to the constitu-
ton, co-equal with our sister States in pow
err, equally entitled 10 all the benefits derv-
able from national legislation, and to the
projection of the federal government. On
the other hand we are under equal obliga-
ton 10 sustain the federal government i'll
the exercise Of the powers conferred upon
it, and to uphold and maintaiR the constitu-
ton as the only legal bond Of Linioa.
All Just government is designed alone for
the protection OF rights, and is the result of
experience and compromise. There are
abstract rights to be protected, but no relia-
bic abstract principles applicable to the for
nation Of governments. These are to be
deduced practically from an experience of
the character of people, the climate in
which they live, the products Of labor, and
the direction consequently given TO their
agricultural, mechanical. manufacturing and
commercial enterprises.
1t was under due sense and apprecla-
ton Of these important facts that our faith
ers framed the federal constitution. Our
people were spread over several degrees Of
latitude and longitude; and their character
and sentiments were modified by origin,
climate, natural resources and pursuits; and
these again introduced, and cause to be
maIntaiBed,,a variety of institutions, each
peculiar 70 its own locality, and adapted,
respectively, to the internal prosperity
thereof. In the formation Of the constitu-
tion it was therefore obvious that no one
state, or section, could justly expect TO have
all its important provisions conform, eX-
clusively, 10 itS own peculiar ideas. Hence,
sin uHder to form more perfect union, es-
tablish1 Justice, insure tranquility, provide
for thecommon defense, promote the gener-
al welfare, and secure the blessings Of lib
erty TO" all, the principle of compromise
was rendered necessary. It was that prin-
ciple alone which enabled the convention to
unite in the adoption of an instrument
which, while it secures us from the dangers
OF foreign interference and internal discord,
guarantees to US the integrity and sovereign
iy of our State governments, and the sacred
rights Of liberty ard property.
Without the compromises Of the cons
ttuton, we all know that instruments could
never have been adopted. They are just
to the north and to the south, 10 the east
and to the west--to each of the States, COLI
sidered as n single community, and to all
considered as federal community. They
were adopted by those who had every in
cenive TO be honest, firm and patriotic;
who were entrusted with the performance
Of that duty by communities which had ex-
perienced the advantages OF liberty, and the
members of which had shed their blood in
its defense. The angry strlles Of parties
and the treacheries Of factions, had not then
arisen; and there were no other motives ~
impel to union than those Of duty, and a
Just sense OF its advantages.
These compromises, then, constitute the
corner stone of the federal compact, which
cannot be disturbed without destroying the
whole superslructure. The domestic in
stitutions OF all the States are recognized
and protected by them. The absolute and
inalienable right Of the people of the terri.
tories, under the federal constitution, TO or
ganize their social communities with such
institutions as they may deem best for the
promotion of their own welfare, is recog.
nized by them. They are interviewer with
every lgament Of our general and State or
CARNATIONS, and those who propose TO de-
stroy them are dead to every sentiment OF
patriotism, and recreant to every sugges-
ton Of duty and honor. Traitors alike &c
The constitution, the Union and the cause oil
human liberty and progress, they deserve
the eXecration Of the present, and will mer.
il the malediction Of the future generations
In the great battle of the revolution The
men Of the north and OF the south Tough
side by side; and they were encouraged, as.
sisted and emuIated By thousands from for
eign lands, who valued the blessings tn,
more highly, because they had experienced
the evils Of despotism. Al were then re
gardcd as fairly entitled " full share 0
the fruits OF the victory. Ia the formation
of the constitution the lights Of all, regard
less Ct birth or location, were recognized.
In a free government the existence O
parties is 10 be expected. They are, in
deed, necessary toits preservation; End S
long as parties confine themselves With
the limits of the constitution, no danger
to be unprecedented from them. But whe
they are organized upon principles incom
pa,ible with, or repugnont TO it, they ar
traitorous, sedi,ious and revolutionary
Unhappily for the peace and progress {
the country, factions have been organize
during the last few years designed for, {
tending to, the overthrow OF the eons'ilr
ton, and the destruction OF the Union
NJ raoantl, all these lormentinp slt