The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-01-15
MESSAGE OF GOV. SEYMOUR
To The Legislature Oh new HofA.
Delivered Jany 7th 1858.


BUFFALO, Jan. Z.
The following is the portion of Gov.
Seymour's message relating to national at
fairs Ewas sent tn the Senate at noon
to o.day, the Assembly being at dead
lock;
To the Senate and Assembly:
We meet under circumstances OF unusu-
al solemnity, to legislate for the honor, the
interest, and the protection, of the people
of the State of New York. The oath
which we have taken to support the Con-
situton of the United States, and the
Constitution Of the State Of New York. to
perform our duties with fidelity, has at
this time especial significance. 1t teach
e5 Us 10 look upon each of these constitu
tons as equally sacred; that each is to be
upheld in its respective Jurisdiction. Al
this time the power of the one is openly
defed by armed rebellion, while the other
is endangered by the confusion and dis
cord growing out Of civil war. This act,
declaration or test, is not mere ceremo-
NAL. 1t is part Of The tenure of the Oil
ces we hold. Until W. have thus solemn
y submitted ourselves to the command oi
these instruments, giving up our personal
views and opinions, and pledsiug ourselves
to obey their requirements, We are not per
mitled TO perform one single official
act.
The constitution makes it my duty tc
communicate to you the condition OF the
State. cannot do this without speaking
of our Union and of the war which now
afflicts our country, and which also affects
the extended commerce of New York; tax
es al. its pursuits; has taken more than
100000 men from our workshops and
fields: and has carried mourning into the
homes Of our citizens. The genius of ON
anu tue ititCicStc VI Jul BCCp'N
demand that the aspects of this war should
be discussed with entire freed m No
only is the national life at stake, but every
personal, every family, every sacred inter
eS. is involved. We must SraPple Will
the grea, questions OF the day. We mas
confront the dangers of our position. Th'
truths of our financial. military situation
must not be kept back. There must b'
no attempt to put down the full expression
of public opinion. Ii mnst be known an'
needed 10 enable government to manag,
public affairs with success. There Is
yearning desire among our people to leari
their actual condition. They demand FREE
discus iun This should BE- conducted il
an earnest, thoughtful, and patriotic spir
il.
The solemnity.of Ihe occasion aud tn
suffering Of the war should revive the vir
tue. the intelligence. and the patriotism o
The American people. The d, cay Of thes
has brought our calamiies upon us
There are now no cause, of discord whic,
have not always existed in our country
and which were not felt by our fathers i.
forming the Union. They had the great
ness. the maynanimiiv and virtue to com
promise and adjust them. The value o
the Union they then formed has proved t.
be greater than they hoped. le: we bg
came Indifferent to it when we were in tn
full enjoym, Mt Of It's blessing>. We be
came lgnoran. of the character and resoul
ces of our own countrymen, while We ha
the fall benefit Of an untrammeed com
merce with all section OF our land. Ii Wa
when the world was astonished with tn
power and wealth growing out Of our ma
tional Union, that sectional preludices an
passions were active in destroying fraie,
nal affection and generous love Of OF
country. While we boasted most of ou
intelligence, there were those persistent
and laboriously engaged, through I'll
press and in legislative halls, in teachiu
The people of the North and South to III
dervalue and despise each other Hosli
legislation and division Of our church,
impaired religious and social intercours
Ii the North and South had understood Il
power and purposes of each other, o,
contentious would have been adjusted
This msapprehension. 80 bloody and teri
bic IN It's effects was systematically au
laboriously inculcated.
Aflrighted at the ruin tEey ha,
wrought, the authors of our calamities
the North and South, insist that thi, W.
was caused by an unavoidable conte
about slavery. This has been the subj,
not the cause of controversy. We are
r look for the cause of this war in n merry
: ding disregard Of laws and constitution.
disrespect Tor constituted authorities. an
Ill