The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-01-20

in money to tho owner, she illustrates hor
wise purpose of ofprotocting tho proper rights
of tho cltizon against whatever invasion TO
his pecuniary damage.
The pledge of tho ordinance on the sub
jet of education has beon faithfully rc-
deemed. 1t was made part of tho Con-
stituton of 1902, and is repeated in tho Con-
stitution oC 1850.
In 1926, the corner stono of our free
school system was laid. One thirty-sixth
part of tho soil of tho State had boon con.
sccrated by Congress forever to its support.
Although this munifcont fund may not
hayo been altogether judciously managed,
it has yet boon nobly Instrumental in tho
diffusion of learning, not merely primary,
but comparatively liberal, among tho youth
OF the State, and, aided by tho plcdeo in
our Constitution, which cannot doubt will
DO faithfully observed, requiring "tho Cen
cral Assembly to mako such provisions by
taxation or otherwise, as with tho income
arising from tho school trust fund, will &C.
euro u thorough and efficient system OF
common schools throughout tho State" the
future history of our State will DO adorned
by oven greater achievements, than tho past,
gratifying and honorable as they havo boon;
for tho promotion of popular education, and
through it tho public welfare.
But, however efficient have boon those
causes in advancing the material, intellect
ual and moral growth of our State, We can
not and ought not to conceal from ourselves,
that, unaided by that other noblo provision
OF tho ordinance which forever barred the
territories against slaves, they would have
boon impotent for the accomplishment of
tho stupOndous results to which | have SO
imporfocty referred
This was tho pro-eminontly distinguish
ing feature OF that incompatible instrument.
| Ii was the first solemn dedication of national
territory to tho rights of universal human
! freedom. 1t was the first national declara.
ton, in practical form, condcmnRtory OF
slavery as social institution. 1t was the
Inauguration of the policy logically result
ing from the principles of the Declaration OF
Independence, and approved by all the
States of tho confedoracy, to forever ex.
clude slavery from tho national domain
and to discourage its existence ovory where
within tho jurisdiction of tho United States
not in conflict with tho rights of the sla vo
holding States. 1t was, in effoct, mo ra
plodgo of tho world, that as its farmers and
the compatriots had by long, arduous and
heroic struggle, omancipated themselves and
their country from tho politccal slavery
prepared for them by an oppressive govern
mont, so under our federal system, such
laws and constitutions should be established
in our national territories as would fully
recognize and sacredly guard tho rights OF
human nature.
And surely it will not be doni Cd, that tc
this original and persistent exclusion of sla.
worry wo arc chiefly indebted for our rapid
growth as State; for our individual and
i unatfh nd fn.t nI
extensive agriculture and manufactures, our
profitable commerce. our achievements in
all tho useful arts, our humane civilization
ana the lovo of freedom SO universal among
tho people.
Had slavery boon established here, oul
population and resources would not be one
half what they arc. In that case, we coulc
not boast of our almost unrivalled triumph!
in every branch of material development
of our extensive system of internal improve
mcnts of our colleges and universities, ou
tree common schools, our asylums an,
other public charities which crown our Stat
= with such distinguished honor, and illustrate
in such attractive forms-the superiorit
1 OF free over forced labor, for all tho Just pur
poses of social and governmental organiza
0 tion.
Y Upon you, Senators and Representatives
T; and your successors, will devolve, iu larg
f part, the grateful task of providing suita6l
legislation Cor tho future growth of the State
and to preserve in their full vigor as vita
! clements of our political and social system
, the jnst and humane principles to which
have referred.
To you belong the sovereign functions o
legislation, Upon you devolve the rospon
sbilitics of enacting laws regulating tn,
rights of property; of prescribing and on
, forcing all duties arising out OF the domosti
and social relations; OF regulating election
and preserving tho purity of the electv,
franchise of establishing laws for tho on
cOuragcmcnt of agriculture, and oil nsofu
} arts; for tho organization and discipline o
tho militia; for the education of the youth
the support of tho poor, and the relief o
the afflicted; of providing for the paymen
of tho State debt, and for sacredly presory
ing the public faith, and of enacting al
other laws, for securing civil rights, and de
Tending tho honor OF tho State.
For tho exercise of these supreme powori
of tho State, the people ever extend gen
erous confidence to their chosen representa-
tiycs.
Tho executive forms no part of the logis
lativo authority. llo exercises no contro
over legislation. Ills duties are to sec thai
tho laws arc faithfully executed, and to re
commend to tho consideration of tho Con
eral Assembly, such measures as no may
think adapted to promote tho public vel
faro.
1t will not be expected of me,a this time
to call your attention to many matters o
legislation. Let me briefly refer to few
. Tho existing legislation on tho subject o
tho fiscal relations of our State and loca
governments, without requiring radica
change moods bottor adjustment of details
f Our taxes for State and local purposes art
; very burdonsomc, and mado more oneroui
r on account OF the large amount of taxable
| property that escapes the vigilance of the
; assessor. Tho laws should be more search
ing, so as to subject all the non-exemp
! property, of whatever description, to its jus
! proportion of the burdens of taxation.
l respectfully suggest the expediency of I
| thorough revision of tho laws relating Il
| this entire subject, and particularly of those
moro directly affecting our local govern
, ments, to tho end not only of limiting the
, amount, but of better defining tho scope
and purpose for which taxes may be levied
to which may bo added, tho requiring Q
moro specific publication OF tho public OK
penditures in our cities.
f Laws cannot DO too explicit in demanding
and enforcing proper accountability of al
! persons acting in public capacity. l ro
= spectfully recommend, that as a part o
n any law YOU NAV enact on this subject, pro