The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-19


limo del Rey, he was promoted TO the brevet rank OF
Major dating from September g. 1s47 October g. 1851,
he promoted TO the position of Major of the First
tllery, which he now holds
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE
OF LOUISIANA.
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE THE House OF RFTREsEN
TAsts OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY or THE STATE or LOU
have convened your honorable bodies at this unusual
time 10 consider the condition Of our present and future
relations 70 the federal before the control Of
that government s lodged in the hands Of party whose
avowed principles are in antagonsm to the interests the
dignity and the well being OF Louisiana. The occasion
calls for grave deberaton wise COUNSEL cool judgment
and manly action II will be your province to decide
people through Ecr delegates. in extraordinary
ton to determine in that sovereign capacity the remedy
proper 10 be applied TO existing evils Never have
been more in need of the protecting care and wise guild
OF that Divine Providence whose aid and influences
il becomes states as well as individuals to invoke.
An event has occurred Of the gravest import to the
people of this whole country but especially TO those Of
the Southern States. Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal
Hamn having received the endorsement OF the political
party calling itself republican-the fundamental prin
cple Of which unreasonng and fanatca hostility to
saveryhave been elected TO the two highest Offices
in our federal government by purely sectional vote and
in contempt OF the earnest protest Of the other section
that such election would be considered evidence of de
berate design to pervert the powers OF the
10 the immediate injury and ultimate destruction OF its
peculiar institution Thirty years ago the public expires
sion OF such opinions entertained and avowed
by these two men, in part Of this country outside of
New England would have insured their utterer swift
and gnominous punishment The representative man of
those opinions chosen the instrument TO effect their
practical operation upon the administration Of the nation
al government, is now about 10 occupy the chair Of Wash
ngton. great has been the change public sentiment
in the sav ehoding States Of this confederaey upon
question vital 10 interests and interviewer with every
ramincation Of our social system.
feel myself oppressed by the magnitude Of the issue
involved in the action Of State nj this crisis. have
bchcld with admiration the beautiful and well proper
toned fabric made by our forefathers hands OF Union
Of equals, under safeguards provided by constitution
have chung with warm affection 10 the government under
which have become prosperous and great and have
endcayored to repcl the conviction which events have
forced upon that that government Is about to be
yerted to purposes never designed by its founders that
the Union i broken In spirit by the attempted desruc
ton Of the equality Of the which compose IT, and
the forms of the constitution invoked cloak the perpe
ra,ion q outrages upon the rights Of Of the
regnties which formed IL.
slavery existed in the colonies in the Revolutionary
era and IN every State but one when the constitution
formed Its existence recognized in that nstru
meni by providing for its representation in the popular
house Of the national Legislature. The master pro-
tected by an express affirmation OF his right as
a citizen Of state 20 have delivered up
TO him his Slave escaping into another To this
agreement and compact, sovereign states as
seniod II was part of the bond il OF the cond
tons Of feowshp-onc OF the inducements 20 the States
where slaves were most numerous, and slavery was
thought To be permanently fixed 10 their af
hcsicn Union which all then believed wouid ensure
domestic tranquility and promote the general well
fare IN few years the States having ungenia eli
mate and sterile soil found they had need Of slavery
a. system 81 labor, and abolished IL within their
limits They were prompted TO this not by consdera-
tons Of mock philanthropy Is assumed in the hypo
critical cant Of these latter days but simply aud cxcu-
syey by regard 10 their material interests. other
states, situated in a tropical Cline aud having
within their borders soil adapted to the growth Of pro-
ducts which increase the happiness and augment the
wealth Of mankind have retained slavery because prac
teal experience has demonstrated that IL useful pro-
ntabe and essential While, however the great law of
necessity and adap'aaton has controlled the operation
of changes IN the two systems OF labor, we
have not ignored the moral and social aspcc,
Of the question. Men OF neutrality-suspicious.
moraiiss and staicsmeu-iormeriy apologized for
the existence of slavery among the
Of inexorabe necessity, and shrank from defence Of
their people for s retention. But when abolitionism,
embroidered by increasing strength hogan attack
system Of abur n sin and the moral and re-.
gous aspects &c the question became the subjects of
scrutiny the result has been complete vndcation
Of our institution and correction OF popular
cerniBg H. We have decided 10 retain IL, and believe
that any other people similarly oircumstanccd will he
benefited by H. The non savehoding States got rid OF
u. and We dill not complain. They exercised their own
Judgment and gratncd their desires by that act But
have slavery themselves but they have also declared
that no new sovereignty within the sphere OF their in
hucnce shah have 4, and no new soil shall be
worked by u. although the Inhabitants shall have
RED slaves, along with the other members cf their
household and other property, TO their home, and
shall themselves desire the existence Of tho institution
This is an ntoerani and n,olerable assumption OF pow
er-an ayowal Of a reckless resolve disrc gard the
rights of Southern citizens and to deprive Of OF
the inherent and necessary privileges which attach TO
as equals.
20 hong such sentiments were confined 70 scattered
they excited no other feeling than tompou.
ration but they have the whole
social and industrial life in the states
leayened the whole Their gradual propagate ION has
been evnced by the legislation Of these states Nearly
every one q them has nuhed the Fugitive Slave Lave
and enacted the most stringent penalties against
any master In recovering his slave There are not more
than two or at most three Northern states think that
have not cgsatcd in some manner inimcal the clear
constitutional rights " the slave this particular
The use Of their prisons s denied tor the Judgment of cs
caIed slaves, and every officer and Citizen forbidden
under pain Of punishment heavier than that inflicted
10y them for some hcinous crimes TO aid or assist In
any manner In the capture Of our negroes. while the
complete freedom o. the slave from any danger
rest and detention secured BY Personal Liberty bills
They beast OF annually depTyng ~ this species Of
property TO the extent of millions 81 dollars Their Cit
2cns form Combinations prevent the emigration Of
Southern citizens with their slaves into the unoccupied
and common domain or the country. The man who Is
the President elect of this republic Of states has dc
tlared, at date that could not remain as we
have been part slave and part free, but that the
conflict between the Northern and southern systems OF
labor must end with the downfall Of slavery.
The election Of Mr. Lincoln by the Northern people az
the rerrescnatye OF these opinions and the executor 81
such intentions as are forcshadowed without ambiguity
BY the public and political bodies having affinity
with him. shows that the Northern mind Is poisoned
against US and that II longer our rights ar
their obligations Tho large majores given IN fnest or
these states for the electors favorable 10 Mr. Incot =
an evidence a the universally of this feeling OF hostility
~ eur institutions. and Of the depth to which this
deuson Of the popular mind has penetrated
The wise counseis Of the fathers forgotten or unhce
edthe fraterna remcnstrances Il the south whether
made by individual citizens or sovereign staies are dis
h. 49,