The Republican journal., 1871-01-12
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

: THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
We give this week the full text of Gov
ernor Perhams first message, at the sacrifice
OF considerable space in our columns tina
we usually devote to other matter. We de
; this because it is no more than Just that the
new Chief Magistrate should state his owl
intentions in his own way If we can't tel
how his official career is to end, we can al
see how he starts out
i The Governor, for the mercies and bless
ings that we are receiving returns thank.
first to Providence and secondly to Gen
Grants administration that any expecta
tons that he would reverse this order OF
gratitude arc for the present dispelled.
An exhibit Of State finances is made, bu
the Governor refrans from saying whether
or not it is satisfactory. The array OF
figures is imposing, when we remember the
modest requirements for state expenses, in
Democratic times. We have the satisfaction
OF knowing, however that his cxcellency
does not forget the time honored adjurations
to economy. Like the worshippers Of the
Vellcd Prophet, the authorities at the State
House know nothing about the virtue that
they profess to adore
The subject which the Governor was cx-
pected by some of his most active supporters
to urge upon the attention of the Legislature.
that of the creation Of a State Police, is en-
tirely ignored. Whether the Governor has
grown wiser in this regard or merely more
polite and crcumspect, we cannot deter
mine. But the history of political ambition
is largely record of the forgetting by per-
sons in power of the means which elevated
them, kicking away of the ladder by which
they climbed, and the disappointment OF
hosts OF expectants. We can fancy the
open mouthed wonder OF the army of aspir-
ants to the insignia of the State Policeman,
who remember the glitterng gencralities of
the prohibition resolve Of the radical state
convention. and sigh for the flesh pots that
they are never to taste. We have thought
the Governor might be uttering q sort OF
apology for this omission when he says
TO grapple effectively with an evil so interviewer
WIN lile ioVe oil gam tle appeuteS, the preJudlceS
and the social habits of the people, and to which
many i'll high social standing are welded is il
some respects. an unWelcome duty, and requires
courage and devotion which many good people
shrink from exercising.
The most prominent prohibitionists in the
state have contended that the constabulary
only could "grapple effectually" with intern
perance, and if the Governor, as the leader
of those good people, shrinks from the
duty,-why, the whole thing has gone up
They have experimental until their theory is
ruined.
''For centuries the traffic in intoxicating
drinks has been the subject of restrictive
Legislation in every Christian nation,' says
the message. This proposition states curious
minglmg of ''rum and true religion
but is at the same time an admission
that Christian effort and restrictive legis-
lation combined have failed to overcome the
use OF liquors, through centuries of history
The savage nations have been temperate ex-
cept so far as they have been improved by
the introduction of missionaries accompanied
by the almost invariable importation of New
England rum in the same ships.
In course Of the argument in favor of pro-
hibition, the Governor calls to his aid a form
of illustration which we approach with some
misgivings and ditfidence, and which our
alarmed modesty almost refuses to deal with
He says
The laws OF prohibition against brothels, gam
ping houses, impure books and pictures, houses OF
il-fane and tipping shops, all rest upon the same
principle, viz:-that these trades are inconsistent
with the public welfare, which it is not only the
right but the duty of the government to provide
| for in all legitimate ways.
If these rest upon the same principle, WHY
not deal with them in the same way? If the
sale of liquors is equally reprehensible with
those offences which ''sin against the strengt
of YOUTH why tolerate the one, and condemn
the other? BY its practice, the party in
power sets up public grog shop in every
town in the State, with one of its select
members in charge, by whose discretion and
under whose behcst the beverages are sold
for price. IL the Governor be right in his
theory, and the party of which he is the head
be correct in its practice, then is there much
remaining to be done in the details of "oro-
viding for the public welfare" Why should
not the party establish in each town, book
store for the sale of the forbidden literature
to which allusion is made, in charge of some
trusty radical, who will control it for the
good of the elect? Houses of ill-famc, elgi-
bly, located, judciously arranged, and con-
trolled by such a general superintendent as
Ike Kalloch, would not only exemplify the
wisdom of the wise, but be n great element
of party strength. The control of the legal
lied party grog-shops has given thousands
of votes to radicalism, and should it adopt
the executive hints we fear it might never be
unseated from power
The recommendation of biennial sessions
of the legislature is wise, and we hope NAV