Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-06-29
THE HERALD.
Tooptinued from first Page. /

it to be, and fully as accessible and
convenient to the people as the math-
ematical point fixed as the center of
population and geographical limits.
have alluded to the Governors
deficiency in civil qualifications to
fit him for his station. To those
who are acquaintt d with his acquire
ments, it needs NO arguments to
prove the propriety of the allusion,
and by them | will not be accused of
injustice in making it, ltis not nec-
essary to look any further for evil
dence on the subject, than his mos
sge delivered TO the Legislative AS
sembly in October last. Although
high literary attainments may not
be deemed absolutely necessary in
Governor, yet all must admit, that
an accurate knowledge OF the prin-
ciples upon which the government is
organized that he is called upon to
administer, and the power and au-
thority of the Legislature of the
country, are essential to the proper
discharge of his duties. In the first
sentence of his message, we find the
opinion advanced that the acts of the
Legislature would be of no validity
until Congress should approve them.
Can it be supposed that so high an
officer with such high pretentions,
had never read the act of Congress
establishing the Territorial Govern
ment under which he derived all his
authority This would seem to be
unreasonable; and yet man of the
most common comprehension and
limited education, TO examine that
act, will precoive at once that Con-
gress has nothing to do with giving
efficiency to the acts of the Legisla-
ture; that those acts, when passed n
the mode prescribed, are valid to all
intents and purposes until they shall
be disapproued by Congress or re-
pealed by the authority which enact
ed them. This sentence is character
istic Of the talent aad requirements
displayed throughout the whole mes
sage. The whole document is mass
of lncongruity; of absurd conclusions
drawn from absurd premises, with
scarcely any suggestions for the pro-
per and efficient action of the Legis-
lature; and the whole dressed up in a
style which | shall forbear to criticise
but which speaks for itself and will
pat to silence all controversy as to
lis merits. Take it all in oil as state
paper, it is production with which
there can be mono found in our Ian
guage to compare.
In giving this exposition of my
views upon some of the official acts
of our Executive, / am not actuated
by selfish feeling, nor do | wish to
do him injustice in any particular;
the people OF the country are ac-
quainted with his measures and can
Judge of their propriety. When |
say that he is sadly deficient IN civil
qualifications for the office which ne
fills, the public voice will bear wit
ness to the truth of the assertion.
L do not wish 10 detract the smallest
particle from bis fame Ms O citizen
and patriot. | do not impugn the
honesty OF his intentions in the
course which bio has pursued. |
would nor, if | could, pluck single
sprig from tho laures which he has
won IN defence of his country. |
am as ready now as at any former
time 10 do justice to his merits, and
10 support each Of his measures as |
may find to be wise and just But
tho acts Of public men belong TO the
country. 1t is the right Of tho poo
pic of the country TO investigate
those acts, and thcir duty to oppose
them when wrong. |, as one of the
people, shall not hesitate TO exerisc
this right, or 10 perform this duty
faithfully. If shall see tho Gov
ernor adopting evil moasares AMI
pursuing AZ evil course of policy, |
shall, as q may give mo strength
and support, oppose him as readily
and "a earnestly az l would have
done bolore it was high will and
pleasure to trown upon mo for doing
so.
There is an allusion in the con.
Guiding part of the toast, that has
Just been read, which | will not at.
feet TO misunderstand In reply |
will state, that have never courted
popularity, or pushed myself before
tho people as candidate for Office;
on the contrary, | have declined, as
is well known in the country, strong
and urgent solicitations to become
q candidate for delegate to Congress.
Whatever favorable opinion my fell
low. citizens may entertain towards
me upon this subject, there will be
time enough TO consider the matter
msturely before it will be necessary
to decide upon it. For the present,
without promising that | either will
or will not be candidate, | can only
say, that if become satisfied that il
is the wish of majority of the people
to bestow upon me their suffrages, |
shall not feel myself at liberty further
to decline their solicitations.
Gentlemen, please accept my sin
cere thanks Tor your kind feelings
and courteous attention. In conclu-
sion, will offer you the following
sentiment
The Territory of Wisconsin. the time
soon arrive when it will cease to be regarded
as the spells of party, with which to reward
the fatterers of power.
l6 The Star Spangled Banner-May it ever
continue to wave over the free, and the home
of the brave.
II. Cassvile-May it increase in wealth,
talent and moralinfuenec, and may its citizens
act upon the painciple, united we stand, divid-
ed we fall.
IS. The Supremacy Of the Laws-If the
people are true to themselves, they will man-
tain it, with or without Executive co-oper-
alton.
Before the company dispersed il
was unanimously resolved, that the
editors of the Miners Free Press at
Mineral Point, and the IONA Ne,0S at
Dubuque, be requested to publish
the proceedings of the celebration in