Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-01-15
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR
OF ILLINOIS.
Gentlemen Of the General Assen Jly of The
State OF Illinois.

Gentlemen Of The General Asselr Dig Of The
STATE Of Illinois:
IL Is matter of personal regret to re
and deprivation to the State. that the
gifted Statesman and gallant soldier, whom
iuur years ago you placed ia the executive
cnair, 80 longer guides your Councils
HAD he llved-frnm bis long association
with public affairs, his intimate knowledge
OF our political history, his personal expe-
rience during an almust completed term nf
service, aided 10y that clear, prompt, prac-
tieal intellect, for winch he was disfin-
guiShed-we might now derive much more
OF valuable suggestion and advice. But
ath"ugh he has gone, stricken from his
hlgh place, IL the room of mauhood, aud
10 the midst ct his labors, he has impressed
his strong character upon the mort noted
periods Of our State history, and his name,
and lame, and services, will long retain
our regard and Notwithstanding as they
do. the rare union of high civil capacity
With brilliant military renOwn.
81 We have just passed through political
reoBtest. which, awning 10 heal causes.
aroused higher excitement and evoked n
more ardent personal feeling among our
selves, than any previous struggle of which
our State has been the theatre.
IL II gratifying evidence Of the law
abiding character of our people, of their
trust IN the justice of our institutions, that
throughout this long and stirring canvass,
peace prevailed in all our burders-lree-
DUN OF discussion was everywhere allowed
the right u! every man to his own opin
Tors and action was unque>tinned-auG
when-the contest closed, all deferred to the
result, conscious, as the intelligent Amer
icau must always be, that a patriotic ebe
dience to the law firms the only safeguard
for public prosperity and private happi-
ness.
Providence has given us other and many
causes for tnankfulness. during the past
year. Health has been our fortunate
portinn-the vdrinus forms of labor have
realized fitting reward-the generous soil
has yielded an abundant harrest-rur
schools have prosrered ard scattered abroad
the seeds of future useiulness-our cities
show steady advance in wealth and
strength-uur vast prairies, So late Il waste,
are being overspread with the fruits of
industry-0nr numbers have more than
doubled dur ng the last ten years with a
rapidity hardly credItahle we have risen
To the fourth rank among our sister States.
aud well may hope, with our mighty ener-
ges as yet scarcely started into acton. that
nu distant day will see us challeu cling com
petition 18th the proudest of this Cunfed-
eracy. A State So blessed, So vigorous in
its youth, only needs, nj the hands of it,
rulers, a liberal yet prudent guidance, To-
achieve the highest influence aud dls,inc
ton
The public debt, once pressing 50 heavi
iy upon us, paralling our energies, turing
desired immigration away. Gy urprehen-
sIons which cur genial climate and inviting
soil could not dis>ipate, has ceased t, he a
burden, and is 10 process CT a rapid re-
muval
During the four years prior to December
lst, 1850, besides paying the accruing
interest, as called for semi Annually the
following amount Of State Indebtedness
principal and interest, has been liaul-
| dated:
Amount paid principal of the public
! debt. January, 1855, s623. 4GS q
Amount paid on PRINCIPAL Of the npLIic
debt, january. 1889, Al ssI "a
| Amount OF State Indebtedness purchased y
with the state debt fund 5eo,7i9 IS
with the State land fund. sG t-C r.
Amount 81 State Indebtedness purchased
with the 1. {. Il. Il. fund, 2l5Ceo :,
Amount of STATE Indebtedness purchased
with the three per cent scluUl fund 5tSS y
/ Amount Of interest stock paid
of under proclamation II
Gov. Rissell. Jan 10, 1850, S594.GsG6I
Two months interest 10 Mar.
! l. 1870, 59I6 80
Amount interest stock paid
off under my proclamation
Of Aug. boo, 97,426 90
/ Two and halfmonths inter
est to sept. 10, lsUO, l.2l7 81
-- 0sG+3 s.