Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-12-06
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE
Gentlemen of tic Senate and House of

the G cnera Assembly, imposed on nc by
the constitution, it seems cmncnty ar pro-
pirate that | should hegin by congratula.
ting its members upon the auspicious
circumstances under which they reasscmbc
The past year has been memorable one.
Twelve months ago we Witnessed Il condi
tion of things which threatened the exist
cncc Of republican institutions under our
ancient system of constitutional government
| The whole country was CONFUSED by M
| tional political contest which assumed such
portcntous shape that every patriot blended,
as its fearful result civil war. Amid the
throcs aud SperIs of this convulsipn tho
government of which you constitute part,
was pacca in power by tho people of the
State. Encomplsscd by dangers rs novel
ms they were startling, @c looked in vain to
history for the light to guide US which
experience alone can give. Tho rcprcscn
tativcs of the people, chosen as their rulers,
we're called on to fulfill as high dntics aud
to assume as gave responsibilities as have
ever been imposed Oh men. No hum,n
wisdom could have brought US safely
through the danger that bcsrt us on all
sides and we should rcvcrcn;y give thanks
to Him alone who has wrought this great de
livcrancc. Our State is rehAbiitatcd; peace
prevails throughout her borders; The laws
arc imrartaly enforced aud fally respected,
good will between all classes is rapidly ob
lite4ating the unimositicS Of the past, health
blasscs our people, and the labors OF our
husbandmcn have been crowncd with abun.
dant harvcsts We surely have cause for
profound gratitude for the blessings which
have been So lavishly bestowed on u; Lu.
while it Sccomas us to acknowledge these
gratefully, We should bear in mind that
their continuance depends on the condition
of our proving worthy Of them r.c first
step III this direction is forus to observe, in
perfect good faith, the pledges made during
the canvass which resulted in our SUCCESS
Upon this point, feel wei! assured that the
conservative and thoughtful people Of the
State are thoroughly united. and that their
representatives. will be found IN full accord
with them. With impartial Justice in the
administration Of the laws, with the reaogni
ton of the perfect equality Of all citizens
under those Iaws, with The assurance of
protection to all ic their right, of person
and property. anl with just, liberal and
wholesale legislation, we mav Look, with
assured confidence, to an era Of peace and
| ~ out ! ulS COuSCIH MA
ton, Sd nracntty desired by every patriot,
is to be brought about mainly by the lnbors
Of the Genera! Assembly anl icly coui-
dently on tho wisdom the discretion, and
patriotism which will direct and shape the
ensuing legislation. Grave questions Of
public policy, upon which will depend, in
large measure, the future destiny of the
State, will demand ynar attention, and will
receive, am sure, your most earnest con.
sldcrntion.
First in Importance is the financial conl-
tion of the State, for until this il satisfacto
rily settled all hopes Of returning prosperity
will prove dclusivc.
The credit OF the State must bc restored
to, and maintained nt its ancient high
character, before We can makc good our
promises of reform, or can expect her to
take the proud position she once held, aud
to which it should be our highest duty aud
cur nobcst ambition to restore her. This
object. can, feel convinced be accom-.
plished by this General Assembly without
imposing upon our Impoverished people an
oncrous burthcn. As commission was
appointed by the Legislature at It's last
session to consider this subject, it would be
premature, if not indcicate, in me to make
any specific recommendations in advance of
their report ard | venture now only to
express the hope that under no circum
stances will reputation, direct or indirect,
DO countcpanccd. Reputation would
bring inevitable disaster and would entail
indclible disgrace. The public debt can
surely be so adjusted chat, while the welfare
of the St,te is carefully guarded, the rights
of creditors shall not be violated or impaired
The very fact that State can exercise
rowcrs in questions of this nature against
which no remedy exists, should make its
Legislature doubly careful of tho interests
of creditors whose sole protection is in the
honor of their debtors. An ardent desire
to see tho credit of the State maintained and
her faith untarnished is my sole reason for
presenting these views; and with the hope
that they will meet tho approval Of tnc
Legislature aud Of tho patriotic people of
the State, leave this vital matter to you,
who are the proper custodans of the vel
fare aud the honor Of this commonwealth.
In connection with the public debt, ven
.ure to make suggestion for your considc
ration. Unless aomo provision is made to
meet tho Obligations OF tho State when they
fall due, we shall be subjected to great en-.
barrassmcnt, and perhaps loss, as tho State
| will be forced to issnc new bouds in order to
take up the outstanding ones. This system
of borrowing to pay our debts will hamper
our people and may impair the cicdit of our
State. There oro grave objections TO
sinking fund, tho strongest of which is, thut
it may DC diverted under emergencies, from
its legitimate purpose. TO guard against
this contingency, and at tho samo timo to
| nrnviAn f,r tho uroln,l ne A.