Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-01-19

II should be our ain 70 emulate. n not |
Nrpa:s, the best model Of State govern.
nent p the Uuion We are one a : great |
Of Soates; each existing un,]er.
The highest form OF organization a. = boAws1
poiitic; each In its const; tutispsl srhere md
dependent Of the others, and possessing
their own peculiar system of policy. adam.
ted To their geographical positions, the hab- |
It's and pursuits Of their people. and the ca.
liabilities Of their soil None are nerfect
yet all are commissioned 10 promote The
public veal. II 10 noble contest between
. galaxy Of sovereign States. a. TO which
shall present TO the world the model govern.
menf.
The first great element OF all prosner;tv
il to conduct the affairs Of the s,a,. mon
CHRISTIAN principles. In this way. the Di-
slne VIII 10 honored, and the epirit OF God
orestnes through the combined intelligence
o. me people. This principle in our own
PoIiticai system, raises itself in majestic sc
reh,,y above the strife Of parties. and the
cohnics OF sections. and being based upon
the d'ctstes OF pure reason, promotes de-
gree OF perfection in the system of State
policy not otherwise attainable.
One important method Of displaying lust
regard for the principles Of christianity is
10 give due attention to the bene, client in
st''utions Of the day. The hand of charity
shoulu be extended To all the varieties Of
numsn want; multiplying its form Of action
In proportion TO the forms Of suffering in
the erection Of hospitals, lunatic and deaf
and dumb asylnms in establishing dispen-
SORES and poor houses in opening receipt
cses Tor the reformation and punishment Of
the vicious and wicked founding institu-
tions OF learning ola high order, with char
NY scholarships. and perfecting our COM
mon school system. Il is known that thro'-
out our State there are many unfortunate
human beings bereft Of reason, from whom
no adequate provision has yet been com.
pleted. There are others to when the
hght OF Heaven comes not. whose eyes are
closed to the happy smiles of friends, and
tho beauties Of the world; and some who
hear not the voice Of love and the whispers
OF living nature. The poor maniac needs
prompt and efficient sympathy and kind
ness ana restoration to society. and whilst
humanity rejoices over the result Of insti-
tntions reared for his benefit, experience
cheers us with the knowledge that we can
almost open the eyes of the blind and un-
stop the ears Of the deaf.
These public enterprises demand no spec
lilcation at my hands on this occasion -
Their establishment is among the duties
which every State owes to its citizens, and
we should endow and foster them in all their
best forms and appointments.
only mention them to say, that as God
has given unto us the fairest heritage in all
the earth to inhabit, let us not dishonor the
"a
ing over 1t code Of laws less wise and be-
nehcent than those Of other countries, or
which shall fail in their conception aud de-
sign to reflect back the beauty. richness and
excellency of the land they are intended to
bless
Upon this idea has the lunatic asylum At
at. Pleasant. been wisely commenced Let
1t 90 forward and be compile ed upon the
principle and design Of making it = model
institution Of the kind, IS every other kin
dred institution should be. 1t 10 only upon
this line Of policy that we can hope to lay
claim to anything like State superiority in
this department Of the public service
Economy in the administration of the pub
lie business should never be overlook ed
But true economy consists in faithful and
wise application Of tho means of the State.
IN commanding the services Of the best men,
ordaining the best system Of laws, and es-
tabllshing the highest order of institutions.
In the just acceptation Of the principle OF
public economy We cannot accept any other
teviua
In the main each State is to perform her
own works of charity But there is one
description Of these humane and providetn
institutions to which desire to make spc-
clal reference, as they are national rather
than local in their character alludc TO
marine hospitals. We have distinguished
presidents for calling the two great rivers
that wash our shores, inland seas. They
bear upon their bosoms heavy aud grow
| ing commerce, next in importance to that
Of the open seas. The vessels Of many States
ply upon their waters, and they throw upon
our borders annually no inroa, iderable mum
Der of afflicted and disabled watermen.-
These are not our citizens alone; they belong
to the carrying trade Of the whole country,
and they should be kindly cared for ut the
public expense. Our associated relation to
the General i:oyernment makes it your duty
early and rersistently to press upon the con.
alteration Of Congress the Importance not
only Of erecting marine hospitals at the
proper points, but that aho of custom house
and portal buildings. at those place, made
ports OF delivery, and where Distributing
post offices have been established; if the
| amount Of business connected with these
branches Of the public service will Justify
the same.
Cordially approving and adopting the
views and suggestions contained in the mes
sage delivered by my worthy predecessor
upon all the ordinary topics Of 10 islation, it
Is only necessary for me to recur in general
terms to some Of thOs ,ings which impress
| my own mind with the.. Importance.
The unexampled increase of our popula-
ton the last two or three years, has had the
effect 10 exhaust all the copies of the Code,
as we'll as the pamphlet laws subsequently,
enacted. leaving large body Of our Citizens
destitute Of the msans Of knowing the laws
under which they are living.
| This evil should be remedied at 90 early a
period as practicable. Six years practice
under the Code has brought to light many
defects. especially in the chapters regulating
our civil procedure, which ought uow to be
reformed. This done, the publication Of q
new edition Of the Code and pamphlet laws,
including the new practice act. might per.
haps be left to individual enterprise, as It is
known there are pei sons now preparing and
taking the initiatory steps for such publ
| cation.
rejoice to know that the people Of Iowa
have been singularly fortunate IN the selec-
ton Of 80 competent and intelligent . BODY
OF men for the transaction Of their business.
| No occasion has arisen in the state in nv
judgment demanding the exercise Of more
| wisdom, sound discretion and craftsmanship
than the one on which you are now con-
| vened.
But in view Of the great amount Of other
business which will occupy your attention
during the session. beg 10 recommend tho
appointment Of two or three competent le-
gal gentlemen to act at once in conjunction
with special committees constituted for that
purpose. in revising, amending and getting
up more efficient aud perfect practice act.