Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-10
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
ExECUTIVE DEPARTNENT,
RIcHNoND, Va, Dec I, 1888 }
and House Of DslsgaisI

Gsailsnsa Of LIs Senate
AID ROuss Of D,l,gatsI;
This Il the last regular communication which | VIII
have the honor present TO the General Assembly pc
fore the close of my Official term. trust therefore,
that s viii not be deeued inappropriate TO the oeeAlon
20 reVsW briefly the OF the past Tour year.,
with which, By reason Of my ofhsal position, nave
been intimately and directly connected
This has been most strik ng aud eVenuai Pe s;
our history and can refer with pIide and sa;lsAeou
20 the pars which YIrginAns have played IN TINS
Re for Ito ~ and Independence No more linPOIIHus
strugsl, hes ever occurred, whether We ioOS " 80
prize pies involved, the objects 70 De a1AineS " -
Gigantic proportions IL has assumed TINS Hf mas Oe'
Sged by our enemies not 10 preserve the principles ana
obligations of written constitution, nor ne rsu s "
persons the rights Of properly nor me 80
OF the country buE 20 crafty teeHng OF unuyl-e -
for a people Who he'd neither ind o'ed wrong nor MUS
tice upon them We content 90 live separate ana
disaet. 10 pursue interests and ous business rea
tons Without interference On their part. We hAa as
oertaped that We could not live with them, ana We ae
aired to separate in peace, aud 1--we an Independents ana
distinct people. d.
The agitation Of the slavery question, and the continued
eacroachments which were being made upon our rights
We admonisned them that their policy would sooner or
later bring about diss luton Of the UnOn aud they
we're appealed to- upon the AOor Of our legislative assem-
bes through the press and in every conceivable mode
70 spare sue country the horrors OF civil str e. and the
sad scenes through which are nos passing. Our ad
moniiOns aud ap 6Gs addressed 70 unpatoue and
hstess hearers-Ihey fell unhetd d-they perssvered m
the prosecution Of their POhoy-and the results are now
before Us.
What spectacle is uoW presented in what was once
the United Sates For almost a century government
ordained aud established BY fathers which bad forts
object the formation OF more perfect union, the esab-
hshment Of justice the insurance Of domestic tranquility,
provision for the common defence, promotion Of the
general welfare aud the security OF the blessings Of lib
0ry themselves and their posterit has been DESTROY
ed. The constitution which they formed wisely
adapted 70 accomplish these desirable ends and il
administered in its spirit and sccordsg TO its letter. how
widely ddsrsnt would have been the condition Of our
OOUnry to-day stead Of civil strife and dissenson,
bOodshed and all the horrors tendaat upon s'ase Of
war soOud have bad peace quiet order, prosperity
aud eOntentment. Our rights, our institutios public
and private property properly respected would have in
sured the permaneloy aud continued success Of a.
experiment in government, ard We should have con-
hnued 70 increase in power a1d irhusuce, uaul our
fame and greatness would have Oysrsha1oWsd she EARTH
and furnished example that al would have been
proud 70 emulate and initiate. We were on the high
way 70 national distinction, and advancing with
progress unexAmplsd Ia history, when snatiosm and
mAgnity love of power and desire for plundeRin-
tsrpOsed check the tide Of our prosperity, TO pArsyEs
the efforts and energies OF cur people, and to drive them
from the que pursuits Of peaos into the troubled way
Of war Tney succeeded and are GnsHeraols this day
for ali the blood that has been she'd and ell the sad
ns5s gloom and distress that have overwhelmed the
hcd
This struggle is not in lie origin unlike the contest Of
ms. The which inAugurattd that great srug
gle, and which resulted 90 glorously almost iden-
cal with those which lie the foundation Of the pres
emit. Samuel Adams Of Massachusetts,, State in that
day devoted 70 liberty and the Of free govern
ment, described the contest with the mother eouatry
Daies changed and names ale red, how admirably sad
strikingly it applies to day aud our struggle The
cause Of contest is the The great prnops that
men should have that form Of government which best
adapted 70 their circumstances and eondtol-thstthey
should separate in peace II their interests demanded il
and should establish such goVernm Mt as would best
the ends Of justice, aad the welfare Of
the people, lie as the foundation Of this struggle. The
extract Is 80 full 80 Apostle, and beas directly up
on the present condition Of afrs that cannot refrain
from quoting t. justification Of the present po irion
Of the S)ath, and ample vindieatiOn Of their mo-
lives, their conduct and their action.
This day my oountrymen, this day, trust the reign
Of political protessanism viii commence. We have
pOrsd the temple Of royalty, and found that the idol
We bowed down 70 has eyes which see not ears which
hear not our prayers and heart ike the neither mill
stone We have this day restored the sovereign to
whom alone men ought 70 be obedient he reigns in
Heaven and with proptous eyes behods his subjects
ng shat freedom Of thought and dignitY Of self
airec ion which be bestowed upon them. From the
nsiDg 70 the setting sun, may bis kingdom come.
Political right and public happiness, nv country
men, A.e different words for the sans idea Those who
wander into metaphysical lAbyrnths or have recourse
10 original eoHrGeS 70 determine the rights Of men,
either impose on emselVes, 70 delude others
Public utility is tie only cerla criterion.
"Is darkeners Of counsel, who would make the prop
sFty lives AID religion Of millions depend on the
slVe interpretations Of mussy parchmsnts-Who would
send 70 anHquAted charters OF uncertain and contra
etory meaning 70 prove thai The present generations
are not bound 70 be victims cruel and unforgving
despolsm-tsu Us whether our pous and generous an
cestors bequeathed 70 the miserable privilege OF
having the rewards Of hOaest industry the fruits OF
those 6sd which they purchased and lied for wrested
from u az the vii o. meu over whom We have check
Did they cOntract for ~, Ihas with folded arms We
should expect from brutal and inf med invaders that
usEes aud mercy which bad been denied 70 our suppl
cations a. the tOOt Of the thrOleg Were We TO hear
with indifference Our charaoer as a people dCued?-
Did they promise for TIA, lneekuess and fence
should be nsuted that our ass should De haasssd
our towns demolished and pluadered, wives aud or
spring exposed 70 desiEutOn, hunger a1d death with
out our feeling the resentment Of men-WiIhout our
eXsrting those powers OF setpreservstion which God
has given ust
'sNo man had once greater veneratiOn for English
men than I entertained They we're dear 70 me as
branches OF the parental trunk, parakers OF
the same religion and lass. / still view with respect
she remains Of the British constitution, even as Wou
AHfsess body which had been animated BY great
and heroic soul But Ehen l am reused by the din Of
arms when behold lsgiOns Of foreign asssssns paid
BY Rglisps % Undue their hands 10 or blood; Wheu
tread over the uncof1led bones Of my countrymeB
nsghbors and friends-When see the LOCKS Of Vener-
able father by savage hands and feeble mother
oasping her infA 10 her bosom, and her knees
inpioring their lives from Der slaves whom Bngli5h
BssR have lured 70 treaohery and murdes-When be-
hold my country ths seat Of industry peace and
plenty, changed By EHgliSasn TO theatre Of blood
and misery. Heaven forgive me, If cannot root out
those passions which il has implanted in my bOsOml-
Heaven forgive ne If With too resenfu and impetuOus
a sooru eetest submission to people Who have either
ceased 20 be human or have not var ne enOuga+o feel
their own serVtuds and AbasemensP
If the reasons assigned By Mr. Adams we're sufficient
TO us fy the Amere4 revolution, and the Judgment
Of the world hls deoided-f they sufficient to
justify him IN scouting ihe idea Of reunion between the
colonies and the mother country, is tot the equal
" strong In jusi6c1tionl What wrong what out
rage perPetralsd BY Great Britaln upon ancestors