New-York tribune., 1867-01-03
NEw-YORK, THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1867.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
STATE OF NEw-YoRK, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
AL 2. 1867.

To the Legislature: welcome the members OF the
two branches of the Legislature to the public councils
Questions OF grave import both State and National await
your delberaon. The auspicious circumstances when
attend your meeting VIII cheer you In commencing inc
work before you; they will impart strength and unity 10
your counses and will confirm by the authority OF the
public Judgment, such action rs you may take toward
the settlement OF our National difficulties, on the sure
foundation OF justice. The people look with ndouDtng
confidence to you, their representatives to give e1
preston to their ascerained w and they rely on your
wisdom and fidelity for such sautary and wholesome
laws shall advance general welfare.
The year that has Just closed has been charged WIN
great events and has been rich its blessings Of peace,
andin It's rewards to industry. We have occasion for
mutual congraulatlon the progress OF almost every
interest OF the people, and the promise OF yet greater
achievements In the future to DO wrought ont through
firm adherence 20 traditional policy, and 10 those
fundamental truths upon which our system OF govern
mcnt depends. We emerged from the stormy hlgnI oi
war; enter upon hardly less trying period OF pocal
conflict; and IN passing through each OF these Ofdeas,
there has been developed the part OF the people
OF "a & depth Or Of eV liberty M
which not only attest the benefeent influence ana
strength OF our form of government but also give assur
ance OF its rising greatness and perpetnity -,
Through the Niy process of our national trials in both
field and FORUM the American Union has been su9eeteu
o test more severe than any to which it hereafter
he exposed and experience has demonstrated that It's CO.
OF individual States, geographical sections, but on
the collective will OF the people Ilat VIII mas Deeh ue-
II has been maintained in war, 1t has been
rcasscted by the representatives Oh the PeOpe ana
the future and confirmed those guarantees by the reaf
rnance at the polls Of the popular Will There Is no
peretuty Of government thus sustaned In peace as In
war by the sovereign power Of the People There Is no
achieved results OF the conflict and unite In respect for
people true to the traditions Of their early history ah
10 the liberties committed 10 them by the tahers ana
who having proved faithful and heroic amid carnage and
battle which ed the land with anguish IN victory seek
vat frtlV he Of
premacy OF well-ordered and equal freedom. -,
II will be your high privilege, In the name OF me people
OF tlis state, tO ratify tho proposed constitutional
Amendment, which have the honor to transmit upon
ths npenin dav of your session cannot too earnestly
recommend your prompt action, IN order that the juds
ment of New-Nort ON proposition so lnVdeIate ana 80
strcted statos, and that. part there may be no
delay in auchoring these frater1ai guarantees IN ue
Federal Constitution need not uss the ieatufes OF
this amendment; they have undergone the ordeal o pup
lie consideration since the adjournment OF Congress IN
July last aud they are understood appicelteo anu ai
proved Never before IN the history OF the Government
upon any great question affecting or national G
has there been such unanimy In the expression OF te
popular will. Tile proposed amendment seems to CONTAIN
just the eohdlt1ns Oh soiey @ u ,b bas Which thS
permanent settlement ~ spans u,e ch"sni Ti1 t s,t
RehcOn opened between the loyal ana the nlsuIKcnt
States aud II shall be accepted in gold faith as frankly
as Rs rendered, the way Is already opened foy recohcha
There no other plan before the people and the verdict
The claim that the revolving States could 10y their own
Ynrinrr rrations 10 the Government ganst which they
reeod and that Executive officer ol the Government
illegal Governments organized by armed and unpariOed
I,cbcls-haye both been rejected aud condemned -.
ON full and deliberate consideration, the people have
pronounced In favor of the authority of Congress Aet me
subject OF reconstruction, and have declared thei
uurposc that the Rebel states shall not bc restored 10
their former participation In the Goyernnet utll suta
bic constitutional guarantees afS proSaEa doi Seou'
not inscnsblc of the Obstacles 10 cleerl hccep
nitter1css witch they cherished toward rs through four
ycarof wasting war; and who are SIN hD9ea Win in p
eantly held in bSniagc and who fought uphold the
Government, while they tugh. TO destroy H. II t"sss @
time to work ont changes ana organic i.iollhs III tS s
srmtnro of political insttuiions. Progress m human al
fairs 7 Of slow growth, except In periods OF Nioet CON
vrisiohs IA society Nhlch FORM opph ~ .u.tol2
r. f that the work of tiOn "a retarded 10y The
nlnsoy hopc held out 10 the nsurgcnt states of restp
ton on terms less favorable thl TINS alehdrhi 10 he
future security and r,-e "i the ooNchntnL pni @ tls
cannot last Moderate, yet firm ia oar purpose CON
amendment which trust these states will ncccde in
offer 10 their acceptance. IT, to our disappointment
aud regret, they shall manifest spirit Of continued nos
uhty. aud ny pjccihg proposition 80 liberal ana )uht,
cyucc settled purpose 10 continue Ia oppress those
whom We are bound Ia honor TO protect, and at the same
Goycrmcnt II will then be the duty OF Congress- 10y more
stringent measures, 10 give effect to the popular VIII
There can bc reaction; the nation has no purpose of
turning back The powers of Congress arc ample under
The Constitutions and ihose bowg, WI" pe & 9NeS,s,I so
iar =, ihr public safety may dc''u' WIN 'N'
"''''"' - scoSsTlTi'Tiox,L CONVENTION
Under n wise provision of the existing Constitution, the
question whether there shall bc convention Tor revision
aud amendment, was su1dii'cd 10 the people ior decision
%hL nri n convention was ordered j. an emphatic eX.
preston Of he pnGc udsmg9 ih"t soae 9Sc'Gn ron
constitutions! duty deyoyes nGn the lns,'Ma,nre a. W m s
and giving effect 10 the popular Will II IL due t0 those
represent that prompt response he maze o nctei
for Convention ~ revision and that there should DC no
delay which properly be avoided, IN matter OF such
If was commonly assumed by the trainers OF the earlier
constitutions in this and other states, tat Their Work
would serve the purpose Of all after tne without ocea
sion for general revision, even for material chaIge
theory. Unforeseen defects were doyelopedby time; and
ditio OF affairs became Inappropriate under change Of
circumstances. Revision followed rcyison cac being an
ina,leailae to meet the demands of the future.
The present Constitution Of this state rs In many
respects. In advance Of those which preceded NJ but II
may well be questioned whether s trainers, IN correcting
prcXsting defects were not led INTO errors IN an Olo
sto direction uniavorable To efficiency III the puOhc
service
conviction that some OF the provisions ot mat strnr r
could be modified with great advantage to the State Ie
intermediate period has been marked by memorable
events which have furnished new problems for solution
by the trainers Of constitutional law Heavy opHglons
have been incurred by the people IN the course of the
recent war; for the maintenance OF the General dOYei
mcnt Great changes have been wrought I'm the financial
system OF the country materially affecting our sources OF
Internal revenue and system OF State taxation. The
depreciation OF the currency ana tle enhancement %,
tabshed policy OF the state, which was to secure faithful
the performance of public duties Grave questions are
likely 10 arise In connection with our commercial Gnd
material interest which we're not anticipated OF Pfo'aed
for by the trainers Of the organic law.
IL generally conceded that there serious imper
fectiOns Judiciary system II exists under the
present Constitution IL was new In many OF us poni
ent features aud IL Is not singular that the difficulties
which have since been developed by experience, were
not forescen by ts authors An ample Judicial force was
provided dispose OF the amount OF business which then
dev0lycd upon the courts Of original jurisdiction. Ap
peas facilitated by the institution OF independent
appellate tribunals holding concurrent sessions in the
various judicial districts OF the State court Of appeals
was organized 10 review the decisions or these, and OF
other appellate courts established for the convenience OF
the larger cities IL was 10 be body consisting of eight
Judges of whom four only be continuing members
the court the other four being judges OF the supreme
Court who were 10 only for single year Six me