The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1865-12-09
STATE RIGHTS DEMOCRAT.
THE GOvERNOR,v MESSAGE.

hsh the Message Of Governor Gibbs, sem
10 the Special session of the Legislative
Assembly, pa the opening day, Dee. 9th
as we received a copy too late for thai
purpose. At this time We can do no more
than TO give our readers q cursory re.
view Of It.
The Message starts out with q sort Of
~sehoOlboy diatribe against slavery, in the
first part Of which the uovernor tells the
Legislative Assembly that his principal
object in ealiAg them together Is to re-
commend them % adopt the proposed
amendment 70 the Federal Consultation
FOR the total abolition of slavery. From
this, to show them Why they ought to do
il. he quotes from De Tocqueville, Lord
Palmerston and Secretary Seward, and
perverts tho language Of Thos. Jefferson
70 demonstrate the sin, the curse, aud the
horrors of slavery. He fails to remark
that Washington and the patriot sagos OF
the Revolutionary period coantenanccd
and sustained il; that John Adams aud
John Quincy Adams both recognised aud
supported It; that the Federal Constitu-
ton guarantees it, aud that the Supreme
Court Of the United States has time and
again decided The right of masters to hold
slaves. But the Governor evidently re-
quired a subject upon which to spread
himself, and he has pressed slavery into
that service most overwhelmingly. His
" composition" upon it Is quite as good as
any usually heard At exhibitions in puri-
tan schools.
From slavery the Message jumps to
q Suffrage" and here, while the Governor
Is wordy, It cannot he said that he is not
absolutely wretched. His arguments are
the bascst Of sophistriss, and are ' e
worse in sentiment than contemplate In
reasoning. His purpose Is apparent-it
IS 70 pave the way for the continuation Of
the Abolition party Of Oregon in power
by any and al means; and to do this, even
in the face Of : positive popular majority
against IL he has recourse to : Registry
Law. But We speak Of the Bill introduced
for this purpose elsewhere, and viii only
say here that in recommending the mea-
sure be does, Gov. Gibbs virtually violates
the cath he has aken Is Chief Magistrate
to support apd defend the Constitution Of
Oregon. Some may think these are harsh
and hasty words. They are neithor-but
fully merited on the one hand, and DELHI
erateiy penned on the other. The sin
rests with Gov. Gibbs, in committing HIM
self IS he does-we simply in st terms aud
Is mildly IS the circumstances viii admit
characterize his act. In our next issue
70 shall attempt to more clearly and COM
pIetely illustrate u position. Suffice it
here to remark that the Message Abors to
m~aaufcture reasons Why the ubiquitous
Bill already introduced ought to be pass,
ed, and that the reasonings are as vile As
She Bill Is abominable.
He suggests that the division line be.
tween the counties Of jackson and Wasco
be 90 drawn IS to bring the klamath
Lake country into the former county.
Next, he refers 10 the Draeonian Code,
and suggests 3 more specific definition to
the class Of offences included in the intol.
Grant Sunday lsu. He evidently talks FOR
bunconbs On thu subject, Ike one who
wished 20 hold with The faaatical Puzitan.
and to ru1 with the publicans and sin.
ners, q the same time. An amendment
10 the criminal jurisdiction Of the JUST,
ceg Courts IS also recommended. Bui
he thinks the Criminal Code as a whole :
yery excellent thing. and says it would be
very pnwise TO repeal it.
In Offering arguments in favor of the
MiItia law he says: aAI the Governor.
Of Oregon have recommended the organi
zation Of the militia" &c. As Gov. White
aker and himself compose the az, and VI
know Gov. Whiteaker to claim only on.
persons enumeration, It would seem tina
his Excellency regards himself as some
Although his cOrporeal proportions may
We do not think there are any other At
tributes pertaining to his ExceIlency upOr
which he can, fairly claim any such plura
6stinguishnent- They are certainly no
to Be found IN this or any Of his formei
Message- He IS careful of his oficia
pets however much Il may cost the peo
pie todiaplaythi mark Of his distinguish
Cd consideration. Thus, be recommend
that the Adjutant General should hav'
additional compensation. This officer re
eeives nov only $500 per annum for do
ing uhatany person Of elerkly accomplish
ments would eheerfuIly perform for one
fourth The sum. 10 satisfy the peopl
how HngulaEly economically the Stat
Military Department has been conducted
il the single matter Of Volunteers ant
bounties, be ahoNs that the total cost up
On tie people win be the very inaignif
cant sum o. ore bsgdred and four doa
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