The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-03
The Governor's Message.


The annual message Of Governor Fenton,
presented to the Legislature yesterday, is
fair business document, containing in the main
sensible views and affording tolerably clear
outline OF the condition Of the State. Alter the
usual words Of welcome and the customary
opening rhetorical display in which govern
ors Of every State are prone to indulge, in re-
lation to the greatness, the glory and the pros
peity Of the country, the Governor goes prac-
ticS1ly to work and informs the legislators that
they have been elected on the distinct issue Of
the constitutional amendment as the terms on
which the ex-rebel States are to be restored to
their proper position in the Union, and that it
is their duty, promptly and without any delay,
to ratify that amendment, which he transmits
to them upon the opening day Of the session.
He expresses his own opinion Of the liberality
and justice OF the terms offered to the excluded
States, and asserts his belief that their
non-acceptance by the South has been
mainly owing to the illusory hope held
out TO them of restoration upon conditions
more acceptable to them but less favorable to
The future security and reposc Of the govern
ment. The Governor thus clearly aud wisely
recognizes the real sentiment Of the people Of
the State to which he owes his reelection and
sets an example 10 the Legislature which
should be enuiated by them, not alone in the
formal adoption Of the constitutional amend
mcnt, but in the selection OF United States
Senator whose position upon that important
question is neither doubtful nor equivocal By
this measure the country is resolved to stand
until il is definitely rejected by the excluded
States, when, "a the Governor says, ut will
be the duty Of Congress, by more slrin-
gent measures, to give effect to the popular
will" He utters truism when be de-
clares that ".berc can be no reaction
the nation has no purpose Of turning
back !" and he evinces proper apprecia-
ton of the progress Of ideas when he afirms
that the powers Of Congress are ample under
the constitution to hold the government to-
gether in the manner best calculated to ensure
pcrmanency and peace. II the Southern States
have been induced to look to New York for
aid or sympathy In their attempt to defeat the
will OF the loyal people Of the Union, the en-
phatic language Of the Governor, representing
the dominant party in the State, shoald be
sufficient to undeceive them.
The message pays no attention to tho silly
twaddle Of the copperhead journals in relation
to the vote on the Constitutional Convention,
but alludes to the large majority by which tho
Convention was ordered as an indication of the
public Judgment that review OF the organic
law Ia deemed essential The Governor fayors
the election Of thirty-two delegates at large in
addition TO the usual number from the Assem-
bly, districts, the former to be voted for In
such manner as to secure sixteen to each
OF the political parties in the State.
The Legislature at its present session provides
by law Tor the election OF delegates TO the
Convention, and has the power TO fix the repre-
scntstion. The inadcquncy Of The present sala-
ries paid TO state officials is REGARDED by the
Governor as one Of the evils which ought TO
be remsdied In the revised constitution, II
being the policy Of The State "to secure faith