The Republican journal., 1870-05-12
OF GOV. ENGLISH. HIS
MESSAGE.
New HAVEN, Conn, MAY /

NEW HAVEN, CONN, MAY 4.
Gov English was inaugurated to-day
The ceremonies attendant upon the occasion
were the most imposing ever witnessed in
this city; the procession being several miles
inlength. The military display was the larg-
est ever seen in the State There were at
least 5000 strangers in the city, and the
We're crowded on either side by spectators
The Legislature convened at 10 so.
Gov. English delivered an able and states
manlille Message, in which he fearlessly re-
viewed the late unconstitutional action of the
authorities at Washington, and commented
upon the rights of the state of Connecticut
The following is an abstract of that portion
of the Message
After in expression Of his gratitude to the people
of the State for their favor in again calling him to
the executive chair, and Well-timed recommended
ton of a shorter session than the Legislature of
late years has allotted to its labors, the Governor
takes up the important subject of a Constitutional
Convention, rendered necessary as well as eXpedi-
ent by the altered condition of the people, well
by the national legislation of the past few years.
1t is over fifty years since convention of this char
acter assembled in Connecticut, and but one of its
| IL
legislation to-day IS upon subjects entirely unknown
and hardly conceived of in 1918, and the matters
which absorbed attention then now considered
| of small moment. Especially is the proposed con-
vention necessary if the State determines to fci-
tate by any act of its own the operation of the SO
called fifteenth amendment. The State Constitution
Eprescribes no qualification for an elector for any
other than the white citizen, while the new article
Of the Federal Constitution prohibits the State from
making color, race or previous condition of serv-
tude disqualification" AS the General Assembly
States an elector of this State whatever qualifications
he may possess, 1 am unable to see how the requ-
site qualifications are to be provided for the citizens
mot white except by constitutional provision"
Upon the circumstances of the adoption of the
amendment, Gov. English says that in several of
the States claimed as ratifying, sit was accomplish
ed by means OF chicanery and force which would
iproperly Vltate any contract between one citizen
ana another brought about by such means.' Its
opect anu c1lect are revolutionary of the recogn-
,iom OF ioca sesovernment as necessary to repub
lcan institutions and by the spower of appropriate
Legislation" given to Congress the control of the
ballot in every State is given to the general govern
ment, upon which abuse the mockery of elections
under the bayonet in the Southern States is suti
lcient commentary. If the State of Connecticut
lcould by any constitutional act prevent this Cepriy-
ation of her right to control her internal affairs in
Iher own way, he would not hesitate to recommend
lit, but the forms of law having been complied with
land the amendment proclaimed as part of the Or
Iganc law of the land, he knows of no way for the
accomplishment of this end 'The State is power
less for that purpose but, as nearly two centuries
ago its historic oak preserved its chartered liberties
SO now, its people should treasure in their hearts
this vital principle of free government for the time
will surely come when it will be again recognized
as the safeguard of the republic" The Governor
deplores the tendency which the exigencies of the
late war were held to excuse to break over consti-
utonal restraints and subordinate them to schemes
forperpetuatng partizan ascendency in the South
fern States. He complains of the continued pro.
scription and disranchisement Of large portion OF
1.-THE intelligent and influential citizens of the South
1aall tn
lily in favor of general amnesty for all merely po-
(litical offences.