The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-03
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
srArs OF NEW YoIK, EXECUTIVE DrASrsrsr


import both state and national await your elaboration.
Tho auspicous circumstances which attend your meet
ng viii cheer you in commencing the work before you;
May viii impart strength and unity 70 your counsels,
ana will CONFIRM by the authority Of the public Judgment
sach action you may take towards tho settlement Of
national difficulties, the sure foundation Of justice
The people look with undoub,ng confidence TO you, q
ser representative TO give expression 70 their ascer
tanned viii; and they rely on your wisdom and Hdey
for such salutary and wholesome laws shall advance
sur general welfare
The year that has just closed has been charged with
great events, and has been rich In its blessings
n peace and in i,s rewards 70 industry. We
have occasion for mutual congratulation the pro-
DNss Of almost every nterest Of the people and tho
promss yet greater In the future 10 be
wrought out through arm adherence TO traditional
yo y and those fundamental truths upon which our
system Of government dspsnda We emerged from the
stormy night OF 10 enter upon hardly less trying
period or political conflict; and in passing through each
81 these ordsas there has been developed on the
part Of the people aeadfastness Of purpose depth
II patriotism, and enlightened appreciation Of the
principles OF civil liberty which not only attest the
snencent influence and strength Of form Of govern
usnt but also give Of ts rising greatness
and perpetuity.
Through the very process Of national triel. In
both field and FORUM the American uaon has been sub.
jscted TO . than any 70 which II
hereafter be exposed and experience has demonstrated
that cohesion and strength depend no, the pleas
capr OF individual States, or Qf geographical
sections but the collective will Of the people That
will has been declared In the forms prescribed by the
constitution. II has been antsincd In var II has
been eassered BY the Of tic people and OF
Go Satea IL has prescribed lie guarantees for the
future and confirmed those guarantees BY the rcafrm
ance at the polls OF the popular Will There ~ no loyal
man who has not clear and abiding confidence in the
psrpetniy Of government thus sustained In Ieace
war by the sovereign power Of the people There Ii
NJ foreign nation which does not recognize these
~ the achieved results OF tho conflict, and un to
sry history, liberties committed to them by
the fathers; and who, having proved faithful and he
robe amid carnage and battle, which filled the land with
anguish in victory seek only yet firmly the security Of
equal freedom.
II will be your high privilege, in the name OF the
people Of this state 10 ratify the proposed cOhstitu
nonai amendment, which Lave the honor 10 transmit
upon this opening day OF your session, ] cannot too
earnestly recommend your prompt action, order That
4he judgment Of New York on proposition 50 mod.
he 20 ana On nsS 70
may be delay in nn1horng these !raerna guarantees
IN the federal constitution I nsed no. discuss the
esne the ordeal OF public consideration since
The adjournment OF Congress in July last, aud
before the history of The government upon any great
question affecting national Interest has there been
Tho rroposd seems 10 contain iusi the con-
dtons OF safety and Justice indispensable % pcrna
men. ns ssws Inc ens," .u wh' 90, the
gent States and IL i snail DO accepcd in good
faith frankly az II Is rendered, tho way is already
opened for reconciliation and lasting peace.
There is other plan beiore The people, and the YER
ics of ballot box implies that no other plan is de-
sired. The claim that tbs revolving States could BY
shsir own act and without the consent Of Congress-
their former relations to the government against
which they repciled and that an exec tive officer
tive of Congress and legalize illegal govern
.eDs orsan,sed by BY armed .Gu and unpsaonssa
On full and deliberate consideration, the people have
pronounced in favor Of the authority Of Congress over
she whole subject OF reconstruction, and have declared
their purpose that the rebel States shah be restored
SO their former participation in the government until
suitable ana i r ross nor
I am not insensble of the obstacles 10 a cheerful
acceptance Of the amendment by these who retain
mucn of the bitterness which they cherished towards
through four OF wasting war and who are still
imbusd with prejudice against equality Of right for
Hose whom thcy recently held I'm bondage, amt who
Tough, uphold The while they fought TO
Aesroy II. II takes time TO work out charg os and
organic reforms structure Of political nsu,
periods OF violent convulsons in society, which form
eeochs y history. ! need nc: say .oat The WORK
out 10 the neurgent States Of restoration terms less
favorable than this amendment TO the future security
and of the government but this error cannot last
Moderate, yet ra in our purpose consistent and UNI
form IN what We propose, We tender an amendment to
winch trust these States will accedc, In the
pirii Of frauknes. aud good faith which We oner /,
their eccertance II, TO our disappointment and
ret they shall manifest spirit OF continued hostility,
settled purpose TO continue 10 Cypress hose whom we
bound IN honor 10 protect and al the sane time 10
represent them il the eorncils OF The federal govern.
sncnt " will then be the duty Of Congress-, b.
stringent measures 10 give efct 10 the popular will
There eau be no reaction the has purpose OF
turpug back The powers of Congress ample under
abe constitution and those powers will be exercised
far as the public safety may mand, with the krmncss
co~srrrnosu ccSvrSuoS.
Under wise provision OF the existing constitution the
alhnp glNn tt9 aprtA
vision anu amendment was submitted 10 the people Tor
decision tic general election. The large
gority by which such convent On was Ordered Is an
emphatic expression OF the public judgment that some
mod caon u the organic law u essential TO The general
welfare. The constitutional duty deyolves upon tho
Legislature It's present session Of nros ding Tor The
ecSuoa Of delegates ard giving effect to the pusr WILL
I. IL due 10 hose we represent thst pr mp response
DC made 70 their call for convention OF revision and
aha there should be no delay which can properly be
avoided in matter OF such seneTai end vital interest
n was commonly assumed by the trainers or the
earlier constitutions in this and ether states that their
work would the purpose OF all arer ume, without
sion for general revision oil even Of change
The practical suit however a. variance With The
tLcory. Unforeseen defects we're Developed by timc
snd provisions, framed with reference TO the existing
condition OF affairs, became inappropriate under a
change Of circumstances. Revision followed revison,
each be ne improvement upon the last; bnt each
proving n It's turn Inadequate 10 meet the demands OF
abe future.
The present constitution Of this state IS, in many
respects 10 advance Of those which preceded 10 bit IL
may well be questioned whether its trainers, In correct
ng prcexistng defects not led into errors in
opposite direction unasoable 10 euceaey 10 Tho public
Grxl.e
Tho experience OF twenty years has produced gen.
era conviction that of tho provisions Of that In
could he modified with goat advantage TO tho
ate. The intcrmedis period has been marked ty
memorable eacnfs which have fufn ghed problems
Tor c'uin by The trainers OF constitutional law. Heavy
obligations have been incurred by the people IN The
OF tho recent war for The maintenance Of the
general government Great changes have been wrought
IN the financial history o the country ma CT ally Affect
sug sources ~ internal aud system of
aie taxation TIE depreciation of The currency and the
snbsnc meIt Of pricoa hsye resulted. through the u-
g0reseen opera lon Of constitutional Provisions IN pac
ideally reversing the established policy Of the Stale,
witch 70 faithful and able service by proyid
ng adequee compensation for the performance OF public
duties Grave questions arc likely In connection
with commercial aud material interest which wore
not anticipated provided for hJ the trainers cf the
organic law.
It's generally conceded that there nYe serou. mrer
arfectons 10 the iud ciary system cNss under tho
present constitution IL was new Ia nSny o prvnlI.
neut features md Is not singular that HE dfcu,ies