Year: 1863

The following is portion of Governor
SEYMouR's Message relating to the Ma
tional affairs -





Affrighted at The ruin they have wrought
the authors of our calamities, at the North
and South, insist that this war was caused
by an unavoidable contest about slavery.
This has been the subject, not the cause
of controversy. We are to look for causes
of this war in pervadng disregard OF
the obligations Of laws and constitutions,
IN disrespect for constituted authorities,
and, above all, in the local prejudces
which have grown up in two portions OF
the Atlantic States, the two extremes oi
our country, whose remote positions have
made them less wel.informed and whose
interests have made them less consider.
ate with regard to the condition and char
acter Of our whole people, than those liv.
ing in the great central and western sec-
tious of our country.


There is no honest statement of our
difficulties which does not teach that our
people must reform themselves, as we'll as
the conduct Of the government and the
policy of our rulers. There is no; GALA
NIFTY we are suffering which was not clear.
ly toretold by our fathers as the result OF
the passion aud focal preiudices which
have grown up during the past fifteen
years 1t is not too late to save our coun,
try, if We will enter upon the sacred duty
in the right spirit and in the right way
When we do so, the elfec, will be seen aud
felt throughout our land, and by the civil.
lied world. We shall then strengthen our
government We shall weaken the rel ell.
lion we shall unite our people. The world
will recognize our capacity for sef.gov.
ernmeLt when we show that We are capa-
bic Of self,retorm.


In the first place we must emulate the
conduct of our fathers and show obedience
10 constitutional Obligations The very
idea of the power and right Of the people
10 establish government presupposes the
duty Of every individual to obey the estab
lished government; yet spirit of disobe
dience has sapped the foundations of mu.
nicipal, state and national authority in
every par, Of onr land. 1t is not only the
underlying and pervading cause OF the
war-it is also the mmedateoccasion of
our calamities. When the leaders OF the
insurrection at the extreme South say that
free and Slave States cannot exist togeth-
er in the Union, and when this is echoed
from the extreme North By the enemies Of
our Constitution, both parties simply say
they cannot, because they will not respect
the laws and the Constitution. This spirit
Of disloyalty must be put down 1t is in
consistent with all social order and social
security with safety OF person and property.


Not only must the National Cons,itu>
ton be held inviolate, but the rights Of
States must be respected as not less sacred.
There are differences Of opinion as to the
diviuing line between State and National
jurisdiction but there can he none as to
existence of such separate Jurisdictions,
each covering subjects of legislation and
jurisprudence essential to the public Sc.
curity and welfare. A consolidated gov.
ernment in this vast country would destroy
the essential home rights and liberties of
the people. The sovereigntes of the
States, except as they are limited by the
Constitution, can never be given up
Without them the government cannot
stand It was made and can be changed
BY State agency. This is shown by the
following provision of the instrument it.
self: The ratification of the conventions
cf nine States shall be sufficient TO the
establishment of this constitution between
the States so ratifying the same Again ::
Three.iourths of the States can add to or
take away from the powers Of the general
government, by demanding convention,
in which amendments can be proposed.
which, if ratified by three four,hs of the
States, become parts of the Constitution.
While they thus take away or add to its
power, the general government can in no
way touch one right of the States or in
wade their jurisdiction. While obligations
rest upon the States to respect the Consti-
tuition, the laws and authorities of the
general government, the general govern.
ment must show equal respect for the
constituted authorities Of States. To State
legislation and Authorities we look for the
good order Of society, the security of life
and property, the protection of our homes.
and all that is nearest and dearest to us
in the relations, duties and actions of life


1t is dangerous and demoralizing to
4 L.