Year: 1874




given for, and 100, ,l9S votes against til,
New Constitution.


In the schedule of the New Consttu
tion it is provided that it shall take eifec
on the first day Of January 1874 In the
act calling the Conventions, it is provided
that the returns of the votes east for and
against the New Constitution, ''shall be
opened, counted and published as the
returas for Governor are now by law
counted aud published" aud when sc
ascertained and certified, ''the Governor
shall declare by proclamation the result
of the election" The Constitution OF
1888, as well as the New Constitution
provides "that the returns Of every cleo
tion for Governor shall be sealed up and
transmitted to the seat of govern ment,
directed to the President of the Senate,
who shall open and publish themin
presence of the members of both Houses
of the General Assembly"


The Constitutional Convention, the last
day of its session, passed the following
preamble and resolution


"WHEREAs, 1t appears by the returns
of election in the several counties of the
State, held on Tuesday, the 10th day of
December, A. d. 1873, that the New
Constitution has been adopted by a
majority of one hundred aud forty four
thousand three hundred and sixty two
therefore,


"Resoived, That His Exceleucy, the
Governor, be Informed the by President of
the Convention. OF the result, aud that
he be respectfully requested TO issue his
proclamation thereof without delay"


| respectfully call your attentio there
to, that there may be no unnecessary
delay in the counting of the vote cast for
and against the New Constitution that |
may in conformity with the provisions Of
the act calling the Convention, and 10
compliance with the resolution of the
Convention, promptly issue the proper
proclamation.


The New Constitution having been ap-
proved by a very decided majority Of the
people, it is expected that all citizens will
yield cheerful obedience to its behests,
and unite to strictly and faithfully enforce
its provisions.


As each days experience reveals the
methods of administration, the conviction
grows stroaser in my mind that good
government depends not so much upon
written laws as upon the disposition OF
the people to comply with the demands
of the laws, and the determination OF
those delegated to execute them, to see
that their mandates are enforced. Re
form, it will be conceded, cannot be OBJ
tanned by mere constitutional enactment
nor by surrounding Offices and trusts with
additional restraints.


The worlds history from the earliest
ages has shown that no code Of laws, how
ever comprehensive or restrictive, will
evade mans ingenuity if bent upon over
stepping their bounds, ani wise and
necessary as the provisions of the new
Constitution may be they will never
secure the ends designed unless sustained
by strong, active, healthfal and in
tslligent sentiment that will interest it
self in public affairs. 1t will not suffice
TO enact that integrity and fitness are
essential qualifications for Office, unless
people see to it that none without these
qualifications are selected. 1t is the in
difference and iuattentiou Of electors tC
their primary political duties, connected
with nominations and elections, thai
despoil the law of its sancti!y, aud afford
security to those VINO wilfully disobey it,
requirements Men do not fulfill the
obligations of citizenship by merely en-
joyiug the protection our institution;
afford To perform his whole duty to th5
State every citizen should actively engage
in political concerns when the recurring
elections invoke his attention and inter
ference. In our system of government
every man entitled to vote is invested
with a grave public trust and if, through
indifference or neglect, he fails to dis
charge the sacred duties it imposes, he i:
almost as cuIpable as the other whc
deliberately violates the law With thi:
new departure in our organic law, LEI
there also be an accompanying resolution
on the part of all good citizens that they
will attend diligently and conscientiously
to the slection of men for office whose
dignity of character and intellect will BIZ
an adequate guaranty that the new Con
stitution will be safe in their keeping.
Upon the present Legislature devclve'
duty involving great care and labor
aud which is discharged, as | believe i
will be, with a proper regard for the pub
| lie interest, will rebound to its credit an,
honor TO you is committed the importan
trust of moulding existing regulation
into conformity with the change about Il
be inaugurated in the fundamental lag
of the State. Bring to the Performance
of this high and responsible daty all tn
wisdom you possess, divsst yourselves o
all selfish considerations, devote time an
thought to the work, and with the Ne,
/ Constitution as your constant guide, bull
UP Il good and symmetrical system of laws
aud let us so far as it lies in our abilit
start the State forward upon her futur
career, clothed with ample powers
extend her enterprise, and fulfill he
great destiny.