Year: 1867

Great damage has been done the Canal.


and other Public Works of the State by


the freshets of September and October ;


but the Board Of Commissioners are able


to report that such energy and activity


in making the necessary repairs have been
shown by Lessees. Contractors and OH


GERS in charge, that the interruption Of


travel and transportation upon them has


not been serious, in most instances.


UNITED STATES.


In examining the proposed amend


ment, its extreme moderation is, under
all the circumstances of the country
and the time, most remarkable. 1t
contains four provisions, of which


three would become irrepeala0le and


unchaugable except by new amend


ment of the Constitution; but the 9TH
er could be suspended or annulled by
act of Congress.


A Simple statement of these prOpo-
sitiOns Is their complete justification.


The first was proven necessary long
before the war, when it was notorious
that any attempt to exercise freedom
of discussion Ia regard to the system
which was then hurrying on the re-
bC1nOn, was not tolerated in the South
ern States; and the State laws gave no
real protection to immunities of this
kind, which are of the very essence of
free government. The necessity, also,
of having somewhere a reserved right
70 protect the freedom of the slaves
whom the var emencipated IS too pal
pable for argument. If these rights
are in good faith protected by State
laws and State authorities. there will
be no need of federal legislation on
the subject, and the power will remain
in allegiance; but if they are systemat-
ically violated, those who violate them
will be themselves responsible for all
the necessary interference of the cen
tral government.


The second proposition Is so just in
itself that the only objection raised to
it is, that it is a change of one of the
original so called compromise of the
It is an all sufficient an
swer to say that the rebelliOus States
long enjoyed a very disproportionate
power IN the governnenr, which they
used for the destruction of the govern !
ment itself, and that after such a re-
bellion, a readmission of the iusur- !
gents to a true republican equality of
is the most that the !
loyal citizens of the country can allow,
in justice TO themselves. II is neither |
denied nor concealed that this is a |
of the present political I
power of the Southern States which IS |
a penalty for rebellion; but when the |
penalty consists only in Topping off
that which was an excess of power be
fore, and in applying an equal rule to
them and to ourselves, it may well be
doubted whether defeated insurgents
were ever before treated with equal



The third proposition, relative TO the
debt, has. l believe, found no open op-
position.


The third section If the amendmsnt1
is that which provides for the disquali-
icatiOn for holding Office of class re-
garded as peculiarly responsible for the |
rebellion. This disqualification may
be removed by Congressional &C 1
lion, and its continuance or discontin- |
lancs would be determined by the ey-
dence of a real return of honest ale
glance 10 the National Goyernment.-l
1t may fairly be said, therefore,
10 depend upon the Southern peO-
pie themselves whether il shall long |
continue to operate; and they cannot rea-
iOnabIy complain of the burden of a pro-
vision winch their own loyalty could re-
move. 1t is as necessary provision for |
The public safety that this Is insisted up
IN, and l am sure there IS no disposition |
in the North to continue any disability be !
yond the period during which the necessity
shall seem real. The Governor concludes |
Is follows:


Such is, in my opinion, the character
IF the amendmhnts proposed, which it is
ny duty to lay before you for your action.
several Of the States have already ratified
t, but deeply regret to know that it has
elected BY several of those whose ratif-
alton would do most 10 make the meas
ire the premise ana beginning ofthat set
lement of OuI internal dissensions for
which we all long. am not without hope /
hat maturer consideration and calmer
will convince even those who
AVE rejected the proposal, that justice,
light. and a wise self-interest alike dlc
ate a reconsideration OF the matter and


different decision.