The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-01-10
M....v. =. Cav Austfn Blair.

the INAUGURAL message of Gov. blair,
and bespeak for it careful perusal.
The message of Gov. Blair is a plain,
outspoken, patriotic and statesmanlike
document. 1t clearly shows that at the
very outset of his administration, he
has entirely comprehended the duties
and responsibilities of his position, the
condition and welfare of the State, and
the questions which agitate, as well as
the sentiments that pervade the masses
of the people of the country His
message vindicates, in every line, the
judgment of the masses who elected
him, and the reputation which led to
his selection for the high Office he holds.
From this document, our readers will
see that the credit of the State is firm
and mistaken, and ranks with that of
the oldest aud richest States of the
Union; that the interest on our public
debt "a legacy left us by former improv-
ident Democratic" State Administers
tions,) has been promptly paid, as well
as considerable portion of the princi-
pal-that our various educational, in
dustrial and charitable institutions are
in a prosperous condition, and that
nothing has occurred or is likely to oc-
cur to check our rapid advance in pros
perity and in all the material interests
of growing State, destined at no dis
tant day to occupy prominent place
in the sisterhood of States. @
1t will be seen that Gov. Blair very
properly recommends the immediate
payment of the State debt. The deb,
now amounts to $2,2ss,s42, and the
great bulk of it falls due in 1863. Gov.
Blair thinks that all the appropriations
ought to be subordinate to this great
necessity, and that no appropriation
should be made for new public under
takings, or even to finish the works al.
ready commenced until the State is rid
of this burden. 1t is true, an addition
al State penitentiary, the completion Of
the asylums for the insane and the deaf
dumb and blind, the State Norma
School, the Agricultural College, and
the Reform School, the geographical
survey of the State, and various other
enterprises, are all necessary for the
public good; but in our humble judg
merit there isnot one of them that ought
not to yield, temporarily at least, to the
urgent necessity of paying off this pub
lie debt. And we trust the member.
of the Legislature now assembled will
look the necessity squarcly in the face
and be sparing of other appropriations
When the debt is paid, we can AFFORD
to be liberal of the peoples money fol-
those other objects; but until then we
ought upon every principle of common
honesty and common sense to be eco
nomical, even sparing. 80ag
Upon the subject of secession and
State rights the message is decided and
patriotic !; and has the true ring in eve
ry sentence. In the opinion of Gov
Blair, secession is nothing more nor les.
than revolution, which must, if persist
ed in, be followed by bloody conflic1
between loyalty and treason. "All the
present evils either arise from, or are
greatly aggravated by, the weak and
compromising policy of timid men il
the past" "Let us have an end o
compromises, and appeal only for GU
constitutional rights Here is tn,
ground upon which both the patriotism
and the intelligence of the country ma.
unite, and in support of the constitu
ton and the laws enacted under it, tn
military force of the State will be Of
fered to the proper authorities, if
shall be necessary SO to do.
The Governor very wisely remon
strates against any repeal or modifica
ton of our personal Liberty laws, a
least while South Carolina is in ope1
rebellion against the government of tn
United States, and other States ar
preparing to initiate her wicked exam
pie; or while Southern States contin
ne to imprison, prosecute and murde
Northern men who visit them on bus
ness. In this view of the case GU
Governor has taken a noble and pair
otto stand, and that he will be su.
tanned by the people of Michigan Their
can be no doubt. +a3
i The recommendation of the Govern
or that thorough investigation Of a
the facts connected with the loan G
Sault Ste Marie Canal bonds, be had
is just and proper. Our late Stat
Treasurer, to say the least, committed.
serious error, and it is no more tina
right, that thorough and searching il
yestigation should be had. Tho