Wabash Herald, Volume 1, Number 37, Rockville, Parke County, 24 December 1831 — Page 4

fioTcrnor's Message.

General ismnbly

To the Senate and House of Representatives i

' convenea: TiJEYongratuate you upon your return to this hall, bringing with jou fresh testimonials of the. estimation in which you are hoMen, as public agents, by your constituents. The situation r mrt of vou, is diflerent from mine. Many of you, are just

entering upon the arena of public Ufe anticipating in your career, mP mod to your country, and some comfort to yourselves. You

may yet learn, that, upon this theatre, as upon others, there are disappointment and ingratitude for your best intentions, and exI am iust retiring from this thorny maze, with little to

cheer me, lave my own consciousness in the rectitude of my aims, carrying along with me, the trophys of my humble services, a harartpr and constitution, once, free from reproach and disease:

shipwrecked bv the storms of persecution. But, In the

midst of all this, one lasting consolation remains, the active r.nahated love of mv country, still burnine in my bosom, cherished fey

the recollection of the partiality of a majority of the people of

the state, repeatedly displayed. JLlnven to say wnat is, unown and felt, my fate as the victim of misrepresentation, and raalirimn nvv mar serve to admonish you, to fix a proper estimate

unon the value of a public station. One in pursuit of happiness, . .... i r J" : tu.

and guided Dy patriotism, nm ireverroui uvuinc i. i nc mlrifice one makes, though creat, is due to society, when his services

Were demanded for its use. But, surely, it engraves its incum

bent!' errors on marble, and their virtues upon a sheet of water

ft squanders hi resources and leaves him in an unfit condition to regain them. Let us now unite, in acknowledging our gratitude to HIM

trhoF eternal eoodness has distinguished the past year, with

little for regret and so much for gratulation. The homage of a thankful heart, is but a small recompense, for the infinitude of di

vine favor, which a gracious Providence i continually pouring

Vponus; it is easily ottered, and its onvssion consequently attenaea

with corresponding criminality. With feelings reconciled 10 wards Heaven and Earth, dictated by that charily which coyer cth a multitude of transgression and that delighteth in forgive

Bess, and sacrifice of feeling for pat injuries, you are respectful ly called upon to receive with indulgence, the hsi olfieuU act o fcnublic servant, iust retiring from the service i f the state. Now

that he is about exchanging the cares of unthankful office, where

pood names are lost without crime, t r the comforts ot private

life, where they are regained without envy, ne wishes to leave with you this brief mcmoria. as an act ot justice to himself, and

to his friends. Doubt not the sincerity which now assures jou

that, in the ascent from the vexed chair of State, into the honor

and liberty of the citizen, large calculations are made upon t.ie advantages and consolations consequent upon an exchange of the one for the other. The mind so long pinioned upon the rack ot

sensibility, already desires for rest, ireed trom the enemies o! u

tranquility. Released for the only time, entirely, from the responsibilities and anxieties of public" agenej,of some kind or other, since my boyhood, those calm and independent characteristic? which attach to the private citizen, shall now sweeten the vale of retirement, in the period of manhood and domestic enjoyment. For about twelve years past, the state had my various services and feeble counsels, in both branches of her legislature, ard in the executive department of her government; seven years of which being in the latter, where my usefulness has tiuctuated with the vicissitudes of my standing. After reviewing my acts, during this period, 1 venture upon the declaration, that though they have underwent the severest ordeal of public scrutiny, my mind is free from conviction, of having intntionaHy committed error; and although on some occasions, to have retraced or amended my steps, if possible, would have afforded me sincere pleasure, from

being misled, or being convicted of a former misconception of

policy; yet, my reioll- ction cames me to no case, where any act wasdowe or omitted intentionally involving impropriety, leading to dishonor, or causing the least i jury to any of my kilow citizens. On my first election, I brought myself under the most sacred oblifation to mv country, from a high sense of dutv, that uniden

tified with anv party, the tkofi.e, during my administration,

should have my ivhole Fervices, without recognizing the divisions and sub-divisions into which party organization might throw them. That pledge has been most faithfully fuhilled. The weight of the executive otVice, has not been thrown into the scale of any party. It was my highest ambition, to be always the Governor of no party, and to be alwais the Governor of c'l parties, and yet nothing but the Governor of the PEOPLE. Whilst the discipline of party, in its infancy, was then beheld in its gradual, certain, and fa'al approaches upon -the vitals of the first principles of the Republic, a forecast of a more dangerous maturity, had not failed to awaken a lively solicitude, for a country's happiness and honor, about to be perilled on the scl'.'sh bails of its alternate triumphs and defeats. All that was forsecn and dreaded has spread itself as a destroying resilience over the land. It has, deserting principles and measures, converted its Votaries into mere scramblers for oee. It has cveriurncd met it and virtue, and substituted tests of adhesions to mt n, in their stead. It ha swallowed ep those venerated doctrines, which, distinguishing between vice and riVftfr, uphold the political as well as th . . .. . . 1 . . ....

moral woria. it nas strucK its roots deep into tnc social circle.

and threatened to sunder the most sacred ties. It conttols tho constitution and the law?, and has carried by storm, to it1 ile ends, the honesty and tirtue of the people: inllamed by its delu

sive apperls. It has corrupted the nation. The heart sicken?, at the contemplation of the ruin and desolation which the pcrce nd unmerciful tyrant has made from lake to sea from tnioii to Union line, turning pale, all within. And still the sword of the monster U unsheathed. Proscription fei opinions' sake is still reea!irc on its thirsty point. Proscription on all hand?, by all pait;es. is the order of the day. Are these freedom's fruits! I protest agamt it, in the name of political liberty, ac tcuJlng to the ruin of the republic. Free from its intluences, thin assurance is left of record, that the Interest of the stae.her hotmr, ard the

nit-mot wnaiever was neiore me, m the performances all my

numerous etkrial acts, where the polar stars, which have control

my doings, w ith eyes blind to party operations of any kind. The

r- tro$pect is pleacit-g. 1 he conscience knows itself void ot oi ience.

mough my desire lias been, to obtain noble ends by noble

ly Instance, wlrereiti sober reason had been ejected from, her em

pire, by the lash ot an untiring opposition, liut the past nau no F J. i. il. TU.

longer ne recoiieciea, excepv n is io improve me j mitre mc State has had mv services performed with a willing ard grateful

heart, with the e lory, honor, and happiness, and prosperity, ot

all her parts, and ot all act people in view important public

works have been encouraged and brought into existence by my agency emigration has been induced to the state by all laudable

means; she. ntaw possesses physical and moral strength in an emi

nent degree and it is now my constitutional duty and my pnvi-

ece to surrender the power so contRbnxIy vested in me, and re-

ire to the enviable shade oi privacy, to teel the operation of the

aTB, which it has been my province, to assist in making. Let

him whom the popular voice has designated aamV successor, take

my places I bespeak for him respect and' co-operation, without

which, his best endeavors must be unavailing.

Since the time I bejjan to be a co-worker in the political vine

yard of Indiana, up to this period, her population has increased

from one hundred to about five hundred thousand souls; her coun-

tis have triplicated; her resources are quintuple. To brins a-

bout these pleasing results, my labors have been incessant. Here,

now, is seen, the beginning of a great and nourishing common

wealth, wh:ch though green of years, has many of the properties

ot meridian usefulness and power. Civilization and her attend

ant blessings, are already co-extensive with the lines of the state.

The bounties and excellencies of nature and of art, here, essen

tially satiate every chaste desire. A prodigy of tier years.

It is of record, that, during my whole term, 1 have not hesita

ted to take an open and decisive part, on one side or the other, o

all the questions of national or state policy, which have been

from time to time, agitated. vV ith principle and men to execute

them, for my motto, my flag has been unfurled, iii the open field of

measures. Among the multiform matters which have interested and exci

ted the public mind, the tariff and internal improvements, have stood foremost. The power to regulate and prosecute these, has appeared to me, to flow most naturally and reasonably, out of the constitution. No part of the instrument, where these powers are

found, is less questionable, than that a tariff beyond revenue pur

poses, to em internal improvements, and as a consequence, to pro

tect domestic manufactures, is legal and politic. Internal improvements in our own state, has been a theme

my choice. If, hy what has been said, the public mind has only

been awakened into an inquiry into its importance, and prepared

to choose the cheapest and best facilities, and e;iven them a jud

ciotis location, the principle md of my repeated recommendations

on this subject, will have been attained. And further, if a ugh

that has been done, or said, has tended to further the prospects of

our contemplated canals, and rail road, and to improve our riv

ers and common roads, my reward is ample, in the good they may

secure to the country

The safety of the Lfnionj has been, with me, for some years past,

an. nil-grossing subject of continued meditation. My hopes and

mv fears for its fate, have alternately preponderated. It is now

becoming only too evident, however, that there is a mvsteriou3 in

nuenee at work, acting for design or delusion, to tear the seal from

the bond of American liberty. I he treason must fall. The awful frowns of the nation is uponit. Our stars must not be lessened in number. A full expression of my views, w ith respect to the proper disposition of the public lands favoring a general cession, if possible on the score of expediency, but failing in this, then, a reduction of price and donat ions to actual settlers, has been repeatedly made f rom a clear conviction of the propriety of such measures. To give homes and minds to the indigent, and to aid the state in making commercial facilities, they had my support. It is hoped, that the friends of stale and individual equality, will continue to press thm, until one or the other is yielded. The necessity of a less expensive law system, than the one we

inherited from Great Britain, now governing us, and one not loo voluminous to be understood by all of those whom it operates upon has invited me, from a clear conviction of its 'practicability, into

the ranks ot the friends of codification but, until it shall be manifest, that those who aim to accomplish this great work havt secured the entire confidence of the Legislature and the approbation of the people, all labor bestowed upon it wuld be thrown away. Without encouragement from that source, its adoption, if completed, would be uncertain. Its accomplishment must ever remain doubtful, until interested opposition to the principle, shall no longer influence the law-making, and adopting power cf the state. My opinion of the value of education, in all its grades, has not been withheld. Not having been one of its early recipients, myself, experience had taught mo its worth, in the use of that which industry iiouc had acquired. Physical ami mental education, looking to the improvement of tho head, the heart and the body, atone and the sa:n time, unites antiquity with modern times, in support cf its superiority over any other system. This plan, when ronoected with a display of the philanthropic principle, that the state owes to every rational human being, embracing all conditions of the rising youth, ami education, may form a subject for the admiration and support of the good, the wise, the great, through t'to lapse of ages, who look to virtue as the immortal part cf -i public to knowledge as its safety, its power, its glory. Toe erection of a suitable number ot Assylums, in the stata to ameliorate the condition of the poor, has, from time to time, oc-eupi-d a prominent place in my advice to the Legislature, and my bosom is still animated w ith the belief , that yet humanity and reason and the imperious tone of the constitution, may secure

their erection. Jfm comictions, prompted by actual observation of its futilitv

when often expressed, could have produced an exchange of our

present militia system, for one less burdensome, and lc.-s irrita

ting, and more elFective, for one which combines knowledge of

tactics with energy and ehiciency without injury to the teelmgs

Or time of any one the state would he now exempt from the de-

mands of a regulation, which uselessly, taxes her time and morals

to a vast extent.

A friend ofequality; an enemy to monopoly; the advocate of

the workmgman tne artist. maauiaeturer :armer,- anu me learned and useful professions, opposed to secret or other socie

ties which take their stand above the laws also, to political, unauthorized bodies, attempting to control, awe, or lead public opin

ion deprecating all attempts by the national or state Legislature to define bv laws, what religion is, or what it is not; unfriend

ly to the exercise of pow er to stop the Sunday mails by an act ol

-ou, ,mTe marked the imnerfectious of mv career, and

to such is,that, recognizing humaa infirmity, as the common inheritance of human nature, they will uon, when jealousy has ceased to operate bury their unfavorable imnr..in Inrwr. nnW

the mantle of charity. Not exempt from ocdbm or passion p menung my imperfections in wisdom anU knowledge, it is not surprising that something may have been done amiss, left to my owri direction, Without an advising council amidst the comnlel

aci diverse acts performed. Ner would mine sem to be the on-

meat s; thoutrh in tain. IK. trrMt,ct Kan.u rr.;;l kk rAnnra rirkdilA fns nnlnii nf rhurcli and state, a siinnnrtrr o

seek to Lle?s the greatest number for the qreattst period, has u-; political and religious liberty; disliking sumptuary laws ant

i.orrniy. round in me an advocate; yet, for causes ihat will live lor thir mramy, after ttie grave shall have secured their authors,

..... ..,., i-ui-cicr man was most ardent v desired. If thr

and

splendid governments; a believer in moderate salaries for officers;

a disbeliever in useless etiquette ami cermony, uie incna oi uni

versal liberty for all Colors and tn all countries; in a word, z

ranuine renub ican. and a firm and unwavering disciple ot our

presentform of Government and it? institutions; with such scnti

ments in mv heart, you may account in some degree, for the mat

ter which has formed always a part of my official communications

and for the uniform plainness of my deportment; and tho pecuh arity of my views and course.

When the Indian question was raging, it may be seen, tha

their peaceable removal out of the Slates, beyond the Mississippi

for governmental regulations, and for the more satisfactory de

monstration of their capability tor civil lite, was approved

tlaving als formed an opinion with regard to the renewal of

he United States Bank charter, that it should first undergo pret

ty extensive modification, it was given in no spirit of opposition or support to any party, but in obedience to the call of duty.

IN unification, too, has justly elicited my indignant reprobati6riv. Seen with its train of dreadful evils, in its earliest developements,

it soon found me m hostile array against it. Its advocates may be

lonesf, yet mislead, but they cannot be the friends of our confede

rated government, of the supremacy of the constitution and laws and the sincere followers of our republican institutions in their

primitive strength, simplicity and beauty. 1 he states of the union disunited, might, smoking with kindred blood, seek relief

from the intolerable scourge of civil war, in some other form of government, leaving the spirit of the federal constitution to brook

the gecre ot the tyrant, triumphing amid its fragments, at the fulfilment of his prophetic lessons to mankind on the instability of re, publics. This, or any sucfc effect is the possible offspring of such a cause.

Imprisonment for debt, unless for fraad- crime has been a.

bandoned much to my satisfaction, and an inquiry instituted into . the propriety of exchanging the presentmMc mode of inflicting capital punishments, for private executions, or solitary confine

ment m me ecu. . - . - , .

Therhartniwt rirht. litvrl ir-T nnil rriv!lnrrr iWn .!fwn

. ... . 1 . . . . . . . v - ' I- . 1 A . V7 a Lii tij;ii .

have been preserved free from infraction in mv Derson. and as :i

A jr.. . 1 , . ir i .. ' ..

luncuonary; nnu mongn ever uespismg licentiousness as the worst enemy to good order in society, tending to create and heighten ila exacerbations; still, the freedom of speech and the press, guided . by truth and decency, have maintained their high bearing with " my most decided acquiescence. - , ' - Whenever it has seemed necessary to defend the constitution of tho Slate, to execute her laws, or to advocate her interests, has it not been done at the sacrifice of my standing'.' though it called down upon my head the keen displeasure of the MIGHTY in their disappointment, or exposed me to the satire of thoe enter- " tainmg diflerent opinions. To know my duty at all times and if. f every emergency, was not more gratifying, than to execute it la person. When of where did an opportunity present itself to secure to the state an advantage, when it was not eagtrly laid hold of, and to the best account? And acting upon the dim outline set by my predecessors to guide, me, the commission of any act illegal or unconstitutional, or the omission of any one required by either, has been, at all times, the subjects of my most scrupulous care. Having thus, cursorily repeated a few of my sentiments, ou some of the most prominent topics of the past, and expressed my convictions as to my general course, your attention to me shall be released after a brief expose of the affairs of the last year, it may not be amiss to indulge for a moment in the pleasing reflection, that the last season has given us as many evidences of prosperity, health, and of increase of numbers and resources by emigration, as former ones. Nothing has occurred, to abate for a moment, the high expectations of our people. After the lapse of a few years, they calculate to exhibit to other states some - unequivocal testimony of their character, as an enterprising and intelligent population. Enviable, indeed, as is our situation, wc become infinitely more ' happy in the comparison of ourcoudition with that of the population of other parts of the globe, where the millions are beasts of burden, and the tens are rolling in their h xury in the name of God. One nation as a David, has of late, turned upon the Goliah oppressor, but tho' we may be permitted to admire the dauntless heroism of Poland in support of a righteous cause, yet it is to be feared, that the fall of Warsaw, gives occasion to the friends of liberty, not only to lament the success of the Russian battalinne Viiif tt mnnrn nvnr tlio rhrrL- if frlvre fr tho inicrhtf revohl-

tion, in progress throughout Europe. Rut if God is for Poland, she willyct avenge her wrongs upon the hosts of the autocrat in the name of liberty. The topics of a general nature, for your consideration, at this session, arc not very numerous. After mingling your regrets to

gether, wiln me, that the state of Ohio 13 about to withhotd from

us her assistance and co-operation in the construction of the Wa

bash and Lne Lannl, and then surveying the obstacles in the way

of the accomplishment of our wishes without sucli aid, or con- . sent, you may be inclined to deliberate upon somcof the alternatives which experience has substituted in place of the Canal,

with undoubted success. Preferring the Canal, however, on the route it is located, as lonj; as there is a ray of lope for its continu

ation to the Maumee bay, merely out of pure regard for the

preservation of good faith between the State and the purchase of the lands sold under constructive pledges to apply their consideration to a work of that kind, yet, when this prospect becomes

hopeless, let it be answerable if possible -which is the best faith, the construction of a Rait-Way with the consent of Congress, and the land ownery or the suffering nn entire failure of

the grant?

Where they are in other respects equal, the majority of the

American people, at this day, cave the preference to the Rail

way over the Canal; the former being altogether the cheapest

and best.

The abandonment, however, of the Wabash and Erie Canal,

bound as we are by the most solemn pledge to construct it, by

several legislative acts, cannot in good faith be justified now, for anv snhstifiitf hnwrvpi- imnosinf. unless driven to such course bv

..... w . 1 o : - j .

wxarollablc necessity. Subject to this quahhcation, the legislature is most earnestly solicited, by the priceless honor of the state," to take the responsibility fearlessly upon her, of making energet

ic and speedy commencement of this work. Justice and the

public voice call for tins cannl, and sanctioned Dy tr.e growing resources of the State, it ought to be promptly commenced, without fwthcr delay. Convinced that vou will be sustained by the

magnanimous population of Indiana, in furthering this enduring and useful line of commerce, my opinion as to the obligation which

rests upon you to make it, is respectfully given.

The Michigan Koad lands sold lor $rJ,IW 1, ns reported 10 me

by the commissioner. The average is about .$11)00 per section,

which will apply the same amount to each mile of the road, it the. balance of the lands sell as well as these; Contractors upon this

road, may congratulate themselves in the prospect of the speedy

redemption of the scrip. The timber being removed from the

road this season, such improvements upon nine next, as snail make it passable, are required of necessity; which call for an ad ditional sale of the land. ,

The legislature oucht to continue to look to Congresss for

appropriations to finish the National Road, already in a consid

erable state ot forwardness. I his bona oi union, aistrinuter ot commerce, and thoroughfare for the march of armies, levelling mountains raising valleys, and surmounting rivers in its wide range, is already evidencing the policy of its founders, and the wisdom of its present supporters. The fact that a steam vessel ascended White river last spring, at the instance and risque of a distinguished citizen of this county,, may be considered as a pressing call upon the legislature, to appropriate a portion of the three percent fund to improve such watercourses. '

Single railways are contemplated from Cincinnati and from Lonisvillc to Indianapolis. These are projects which, indeed," arc truly commendable and which by their immense advantages, if ever finished, recommend themselves to our special approbations f.CONTIM!E X THW19 TACE.J