Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-01-13

OF protecting the propefty-rigDts OF the clt-
izen against whatever invasion TO his pecu-
mary damage.
The pledge of the ordinance on the sub
iect of education has been faithfully re
deemed. 1t was made part Of the Con-
stitution of 1902, and is repeated in the
Constitution of 1850.
In 1925 the corner stone of our free
school system was laid. One thirty-sixth
part Of tho soil of the State had been con.
secrsted by Congress forever to its support
Although this muni6eent fund may moi
have been judiciously managed, it has yet
been nobly instrumental in the diffusion Of
learning, not merely primary, but compare
lively liberal, among the youth of the State
and, aided by the pledge in our Constitu-
tion, which cannot doubt will bo faithful
ly observed, requiring the General Assem-
bly, to make such provision, by taxation ol
otherwise, as with the income arising from
the school trust fund will secure thorough
and efficient system of common schools
throughout the State, the future history o
our State will be adorned by even greater
achievements than the past, gratifying and
! honorable rs they have been, for the pro
motion of popular education, and through
it the public welfare.
But however efficient have been these
causes in advancing the material, intellectu
al and moral growth of our State, We can.
not and ought not to conceal from ourselve,
that, unaided by that other noble provision
of the ordinance which forever barred the
territories against slaves, they would have
been impotent for the accomplishment o.
the stupendous results TO which l have SC
imper(ectly referred.
This was the pre- eminently Distinguishing
feature of that incompatible instrument
1t was the first solemn dedication of nation
al territory to the rights Of universal human
freedom. 1t was the first national declara
ton, in practical form, condemnatory of sla-
very as a social institution. 1t was the in.
auguration of the policy, logically resulting
from the principles of the Declaration oi
Independence, and approved by all the
States of the confederacy, to forever ex
clude slavery from the national domain, and
to discourage its existence everywhere with.
in the jurisdiction of the United States
not in conflict with the slaveholdng States.
1t was, in effect, moral pledge to the
world, that as its trainers and their compat-
riots, had by long, arduous and heroic
struggle, emancipated themselves and their
country from the political slavery prepared
for them by an oppressive government, so,
under our federal system, such laws and
constitutions should be established in our
national territories as would fully recognize
and sacredly guard the rights of human ma
ture.
And surely it will not be denied, that to
this original and persistent exclusion of sla-
very we are chiefly indebted for our rapid
growth as State; for our individual and
social wealth and comforts, our varied and
extensive agriculture and manufactures, our
profitable commerce, our achievements in all
the useful arts, our humane civilization and
the love of freedom so universal among the
people.
Had slavery been established here, our
population and resources would not be one
half what they are. In that case, we could
not boast of our almost unrivalled triumphs
in every branch of material development; of
our extensive system of internal improve
ments; or of our colleges and universities,
our free common schools, our asylums and
other public charities which crown our State
with such distinguished honor, and illustrate
in such attractive forms the superiority of
free over forced labor, for all the just pur-
poses of social and governmental organiza-
ton.
Upon you, Senators and Representatives,
and your successors, will devolve, in large
part, the grateful task of providing by suit
able legislation for the future growth of the
State, and to preserve in their full vigor, as
vital elements of our political and social
system, the just and humane principles to
which | have referred.
To you belong the sovereign functions Of
legislation. Upon you devolve the respon-
slbilities, of enacting laws regulating the
rights of property; of prescribing and en-
forcing all duties arising out of the domes-
tis and social relations; of regulating cleo
tions, and preserving the purity of the elect
i've franchise; of establishing laws for the
encouragement of agriculture and all the
useful arts; for the organization and disci-
pline of the militia; for the education of
the youth, the support of the poor, and the
relief of the afflicted; of providing for the
payment of the State debt, and for sacredly
preserving the public faith, and of enacting
all other laws, for securing civil rights, and
defending the honor of the State.
For the exercise of these supreme pow
ers of the State, the people ever extend a
generous confidence to their chosen Repre-
sentatiVes.
The Executive forms no part of the leg
islative authority. He exercises no control
over legislation. His duties are to see that
the laws are faithfully executed, and to rec
ommend to the consideration of the Gener-
al Assembly such measures as he may think
adapted to promote the public welfare.
It will not be expected of me, at this
time, to call your attention to many mat
ters of legislation. Let me briefly refer to
few.
The existing regulation on the subject Of
the fiscal relations of our State and local
governments, without requiring a radical
change, needs better adjustment of details.
Our taxes for State and local purposes are
very burdensome, and made moro onerous
on account of the large amount Of taxable
v,rororf., that oooa rNao tho xyio,iian0a of fha