Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-01-19

vate property; prevented the lingering remnants
of feudality from taking root in our SOIL and
proclaimed, and defended the rights of labor
aud of humanity, by forever excluding slavery
from the territory.
To these noble principles the people of Ohio
have ever been true. Our Legislation has never
been marred by prescription for religious opin-
ions, nor any political privilege denied because
of the birthplace of the citizen. The inviola-
bility of the person of the inhabitant has been
always defended, and the habeas corpus and
trial by jury, maintained as the bulwarks ol
personal liberty. In the faithful observance Of
her contracts, the State has furnished an exam
pie of the sacred regard in which all obligations
should be held by The citizen, while by refus-
ing, under the most solemn sactions, 10 appro-
pirate private property, to her use without max
ing Just compensation in money to the owner,
she illustrates her wise purpose of protecting
the property rights of the citizen against what
ever invasion to his pecuniary damage.
The pledge of the ordinance on the subject OF
education has been faithfully redeemed. 1t was
made part of the Constitution of 1902, and is
repeated in the Constitution ofl650.
In 1926, the corner stone of our free school
system was laid. One thirty sixth part of the
soil of the State had been consecrated by Con-
gress forever to its support. Although this
munifcent fund may not have been altogether
iudiciously managed. it has.yet been nobly in
strumental in the diffusion OF learning not mere
ly primary, but comparatively liberal, among
the youth of the State, and, aided by the pledge
In our CONSTITUTION, which cannot doubt, will
be faithfully observed, requiring "the General
Assembly TO make such provisions by taxation
or otherwise, as with the income arising from
the school trust fund, will secure thorough
and efficient system ofcommon schools through
out the State" the future history of our State
will be adorned by even greater achievements.
than the past. gratifying and honorable as they
have been, fcr the promotion of popular educa-
tion. and through it the public welfare.
But, however efficient have been these eau
ses in advancing the material, intellectual and
moral growth of our State, we cannot and ought
not to conceal from ourselves, that. unaided by
that other noble provision of the ordinance which
forever barred the territories against slaves they
would have been impotent for the accomplish
ment of the stupendOus results to which have
SO imperfecily referred
This was the pre-eminently distinguished
feature of that incompatible instrument. 1t
was the first solemn dedication OF national ter
ritory TO the rights of universal human freedom.
1t was the first national declaration, in practical
form, condemnatory of slavery as a social insti-
tuition. 1t was the Inauguration of the policy
Declaration of Independence, and approved by
all the States of the confederaey, to forever ex-
clude slavery from the national domain. and to
discourage its existence everywhere within the
jurisdiction of the United States not in conflict
with the rights of the slave-holding States. 1t
was. in effect, a moral pledge of the world, that
as its trainers and their compatriots, had by a
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 nature.
And surely it will not be denied, that to this
original and persistent exclusion of slavery We
are chiefly indebted for our rapid growth as a
State; for opr 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 uniyer-
sal among the people.
Had slavery been established here, our popu-
tation 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 sys-
tenn of internal Improvements; OF our colleges
and universities, our free common schools. our
our State with such distinguished honor, and
illustrate-in such attractive forms-the superb
ority of free over forced labor, for all the just
purposes of social and governmental organiza-
lion.
Upon you, Senators and Representatives, and
your successors, will devolve, in large part, the
grateful task of providing by suitable legisla-
ton 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 hu-
name principles to which have referred.
To you belong the sovereign functions of leg
islation. Upon you devolvethe responsibilities
OF enacting laws regulating the rights of prop
erty; of prescribing and enforcing all duties
arising out of the domestic and social relations;
of regulating elections, and preserving the puri-
ty Of the elective franchise; of esablithing laws
for the encouragement of agriculture. and all
useful arts; for the organization and discipline
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 pub
Lie faith, andsof enacting all other laws, for Sc
curing civil rights, and defending the honor of
the States.
For the exercise of these supreme powers of
the State, the people ever extend generous
confidence TO their chosen representatives.
The executive forms no part of the Legislative
authority. He exercises no control over legis-
lation. His duties are to see that the laws are
faithfully executed, and to recommend to the
consideration of the General 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 atteution to many matters of legisla-
ton. Let me briefly refer to a few:
l. 81. foff1
fiscal relations of our State and local govern
ments, without requiring radical change, needs
a better adjustment of details. Our taxes for
State and local purposes are very burdensome,
and made more onerous on account of the large
amount of taxable property that escapes the
vigilance of the assessor. The laws should be
more searching, SO as 10 subject all the non-ex-
empt property, of whatever description, to its
Just proportion of th burdens of taxation.
l respectfully suggest the expediency of a
thorough revision of the laws relating to this
entire subject, and particularly of those more
directly affecting our local governments, to the
end not only Of limiting the amount, but ofbet.
ter defining the scope and purpose for which
taxes may be levied, to which may be added
the requiring more specific publication of the
public expenditures in our cities.
Laws cannot be too explicit in defining and
enforcing proper accountability of all persons
acting in public capacity. respectfully re.
commend, that as part Of any law you may
enact on this subject, provision to be made regu
lating public contracts, to apply as well to loca
as to State administration.
The appropriating public money by public
officer to his private use, should be visited by
the most exemplary punishment 1t shoult
avail nothing in what form it may be done
whether by means of ,oaning. depositing, o
otherwise The gist of the offense should b