The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-08

Board govern this Board until further ordered Adopted
The following communication Was received from tbs
Mayor and ordered 70 be read
Alderman BOOZE moved that the reading he suspended,
and Alderman lUonr moved that three thousand copies
be printed.
read before lie would for large number Of copies
being intod He thought respectful 70 the Mayor
to hive the document read-a course which WAS usual
IN ali parliamentary and Legislative bodies.
Alderman BooIx denied the intention OF any dSrs-
spect the vote being taken the reading was sss
pended.
An amendment was made to print ono thousand copies,
instead of three thousand which was lost Ihree thou
sand copies then ordered to be printed
MAYOR woOD's MESSAGE.
To TINE HONORABLE The COMMON COUNCIL
GEs1Jank-we are entering upon the public duties az
the year under circumstances unprecedented they
are gloomy and painful contemplate The great trading
and producing Of only the city Of New York.
but OF entire country Frustrated by monetary
crisis although similar caantes have before befa
U.S. it is the first time that they have emanated from
having other origin than that which may be
traced 70 political disturbances Truly may be said
"We In the midst Of revolution bloodess yet"
whether the dreadful alternative implied probable
the conclusion Of this prophetic quotation may be svcteA
'no human ken divine" II quite certain that the
severity Of the storm unexampled in history, aad
IL the dsnteg alton Of the federal government with the
quen destruction OF all the material interests OF
this people, shall not follow it will be owing to the
OF Divine Providence than the inherent
power Institutions tho Intervention
Of any other human agency.
would that dissolution Of the federal Union
inevitable Having been formed originally upon basis
OF general and mutual protection, but separate local in
dependence each State reservg The ontire and abso
lutte control Of its domestic affairs is evidently
to keep them together longer than they deem
themselves fairly treated by each other longer than
the honor aud fraternity Of the people Of tho
several states satisfied Being government created
by opinion its continuance is dependent upon the
Of the sentiment which formed it, 1t b.
preserved by coercion held together by force re-
sort u this last dreadful alternative would Of tse de-
stroy only the government but the lives and proper
ty OF the people.
If these forobodngs shall be realized and separation
Of the States shall occur, momentous considerations viii
be presented to the corporate authorities of this city
We must provide Tor the new relations which will nc
cessaiiy grow out of the condition Of public affairs.
II will bot only be necessary for to settle the rea
which shall hold other cities and Stltcs but
to establish, If can, new ones with portion OF our
own State. Being tho child Of tho Unon-hav ing drawn
from bosom and arisen to present
when deprived of her maternal advantages, wo must
rely upon resources and position p G.
dicated upon the phase which public affairs will pro
sent, upon tho inherent strength which geoga
phcal commercial, political and financial pre- -emncnce
imparts TO us.
With aggrieved brethren of the slave States
have friendly relations and u common sympathy. We
have participated in the warfare upon their consttu
tiona rights their domestic institutions While other
portions Of State have unfortunately been mbucd
with the fanatcal spirit which portion tho
people Of New England, the city OF New York has nf
terngly the integrity Of its principles in adhe
ence the compromises Of the constitution the
equa, rights of the people Of al the States We have
spected the local interests OF every Section at time
oppr,ssng but all the while aiding in the development
Of the resources OF the whole country Our ships
penetrated to every cline, and have New York CAPT
tai energy and enterprise found their way to every
State. indeed to almost every county and town Of
the American Union. II have derived sustenance
from the Union have return dissem mated bless
ngs for the benefit OF ALL Therefore New York
bas right TO expect and should endeavor to preserve
continuance Of uninterrupted intercourse with every
section.
II is however folly TO disguise the fact that Judging
from the past New York may have OF appre
henson from the aggressive legislation OF state
than from external dangers We have already largely
suffered from this For the past five years
tIests and corporate rights have been repeatedly tram
pied upon Being integral portion Of the State it has
been assumed and IN elect tncy admitted on our part
by Etance that all political governmental
power rested in the State legislature Even the
common right Of taxing ourselves for our own govern
mont has been yielded and we not now permitted TO
The enormous expense Of the government Of this city,
its nclcency for the correction % abuses and tho
curing OF economy, and state OF ninstraen through
bordering anarchy and ion all res
bly, mpe " tho serious inquiry whether the legislature
had power ana authority TO effect these mischevous
changes 10 the organization Of municipal Affairs.
would be recreGnt to my duties citizen If for bore
protesting against what am convinced has been series
aftlVG fhs .lafA
detrimental TO city upwarranted by every consider
aticn of common justice. The legislature could only
large the powers of the corporation tho better govern
nent OF Tie city, and the comfort prosperity and good
order Of the people, but permitted 10 annul limit
and abridge that municipal independence which New
York had enjoyed for period long anterior TO the Rcvo
utonary struggle. On tic change IN the political rea
which OF the successful termination Of the
memorable for Independence, must be conceded
that the regulation Of mmercc passed into the hands or
Congress- aud the cry became for general political
poses portion Of the state but without In the ea
rendering that municipal self government which had
been granted tho amplest terms that language could
employ. 1hsso prerogaves and immuntls were to re-
nvolble forever, and in all tho LEGAL OF
the city, In her domestic polity in the management
and enjoyment Of her franchises and the regulation
OF ipeSna ORDER she was to be entirely independents
No candid mind can after nerussl % ths original
grants fail to perceive the extent u the usrpatons that
have been made on the municipal rights and civic bnr
ties OF New York. Those early charters contemplated
the establishment Of municipal corporation thai would,
in it, free and ample privileges pTeeminecces aud urls
diotEs, we with the great cities OF Europe, and b.
thy that commo which unrivai.i natural advan
la could not fa 10 attract 70 our shores the iosra
~ and sagacity OF royal governors contrast strangely
wh the shorsighted and nequitable policy OF those
who have succeeded 10 the exercise VI power under the
popular Institutions. Permit 10 call your
toti1n TO tho language OF early charters, and to
nGare whether the grants conferred in them in
ccd neroy rhetorical hourishea empty titlos fun
Of hGt meaning nothing, whether they
real and substantial powers to BIO exercised for the be
net Of the inhabitants and the OF trade
and general prosperity " the examination of these
early OF municipal liberty may not deter tho
spirit Of partisan opposition from further isvasions
viii least call the atiestion Of the citizens the chief
Of the burdens under which they labor and tho
mas dmn istration Of public affairs, and viii Justify thcm,
In the eyes OF tho country IN demanding restoration Of
what has been taken from them seeking separation
from political association that has owed no emphati
| caly yoke grievous Al IL Is dishonorable
IL has been tho settled policy Of all civilized countries
encourage the growth and stability Of their commerce
by giving to the cities which it's municipal char
trs Of such character to their dignity and
spcct in the eyes Of the world. Governments the most
dcspotc have tolerated there II in other place, ber
~ 1rdar foster trade Tho M, riohta Of