f-i
.
LEGISLATIVE.
.__4
Wednesday Morning, May l.—The two
Houses assembled in their respective chain-
bers this morning at l0 o'clock.
The Housewas called to order by Oliver
C. Sanford, of Weston, and proceeded to the
election of Speaker. On the first ballot the
vote stood-as follows: « " L
Far -Charles M’Cttrdy. ...... ...._."...-96
.. 1,,},n.c.Pnttner....._.....;....49
u Lucius G.Peck............... 3
4- C rue H. Beard:-iley...........l--83
M’Cttr y’a Majoi-ity............ ........ .13
Mr. M’Curdv being declared chosenSpealt-
er, on taking the Chair. addressed the House
in a brief and pertinent speech.
On the first billot for Clerlt, Lucius G.
Peck was elected by a majority of 15. and
Chas. H. Tuthill, by a majority of 16, was
chosen Assistant. _
Hon. '1‘. B. Osborne on the part of the
Senate, and Messrs. Dixon. Strong. Hull.
Bullgley, Grosvernor. Abernethy. Wright
and Cross on the part of the_ House, were
appointed ii committee to examine the returns
of votes for State Officers and report to_ the
House. _ _
Resolutions were then passed assigning
seats for Reporters—appointing messengers
and door l.'eeper—-appointing _Messrs.,Bub-
cock and Wildrnan, State Printers—tn,re-
ference to stationary, statutes, &c. for mem-
bers--uniting the several resident clergymen
to officiate as chaplains—appointing Messrs.
Minor, Pratt and Dayton, a committee to ex-
amine the credentinls of members and pre-
pare ,, Roll of the House—-appointing Messrs.
Foster, Stewart and Spencer, a Committee on
contested elections—nppointing Mt-ssrs Pill-
mer, Copp and Antes. a Committee to wait
on His E‘,,,,,.n,._,,,.,,, Gm-ei-nor Clevelanil,aod
inform him that the two Houses are organi-
zed and ready to receive any cotninunication
he may have to m'tlU'.
Resolutions and Orders of the House read.
w},,.,, the House adjourned to 2o’clot'l.', p. m.
Afternoon.—"I‘he coinrriittee on credentials
reported a roll of the members ofthe House.
The coininitt--e appointed to wait upon the
Governor reported that he would make a
cotninunication to the House this afternoon
as L‘0«‘llml$Slt)nt‘l‘ of the Insane Poor, Deaf.
Dumb and Blind.
The coiiiitiittee appointed to examine the
report of the Canvassers of the votes for Stat-
Oflicers. reported no choice.
Resolution from the Senate, that the two
Houses will met in convention to niortow
morning at 8 o‘cloclt, for the choice of Gov-
ernor, Lieut. Governor, Secretary, 'I‘retis
titer and Comptroller for the year Cnusuing
PRSSBK1.
Communication from the Governor, trans
iiiitting his R».-ports as Commissiorier, &.c.——
Read, accepted. and transmitted to the Senate.
Messrs. Swift, Beardsley, of Monroe, and
Dixon, appointed ii committee to revise the
Rules of the House.
Adjourned to 8 o’clk to tnorrow morning.
Thursday Jllorning M'ay 2.—On motion of
Mr. Minor. the ro‘.l ofthe House. was amended
by adding the name of A. E. Doolittle from
Cheshire. At 8; o'clock the Senate met the
House in Convention, and the two houses pro
ceeded to ballot for State officers. which result
ed as follows : For Governor, -
Roger S. Baldwin, . . . . . . . . ... ......11
Chatincey F. Cleveland,. . . . . . .... . . 93
23
The votes for the other state offivers varied liui
one vote from the ahove—tlie second and la-1
officers on the ticket‘ had e ich a majority of".’.4.
Resolutions declaring the result were then
passetl—-with others of mere form, which .\\'t*
omit.-—A remotisirunce was presented agains:
the election of Alfred Rose, of N. Brattforrl. now
holdingaseat in the House. Read and referred
to com. on contested elections.—Adjourtied.
At 3 o'clock, boih houses again met. The
Governor elect immediately appe8t_8tl- and af-
ter prayer by Pres. Day. the oath of office was
administered by Hon. S J. Hitchcock. & the G0’
vcruor addressed the conve iitiozi in the following
SPEECH:
Mr. President. and Gentlemen of the Senate
Mr. Speaker and Gentleman of the House of
Representatives :
In entering upon the duties assigned me by the
Constitution, as chief magistrate of the State,I feel
deeply sensible of the distinguished honor which the
favor of my fellow citizens have conferred tipon tne.
And when I look back through the period of our
ast history, and bring to recollection the names of
illustrious patriots by whom the station I now oc-
cupy has been adorned in other times, whose noble
and steadfast exertions in the cause of liberty have
shed an iniperishable lustre upon the character of
our state and cottiitry, I cannot btit feel it distrust of
my abilit to discharge in a satisfactory manner the
duties w ich devolve on tne us tlieir_successor- A
consciousness, however, that those duties have been
imposed without solicitation, and assumed with tin-
feigned raluctance, in obedience to the call of my
fellow citizens, induces me to cherish the hope that
with your enlightened and atriotic co-operation,
our united exertions may, wit the bleiising of Di-
vine Provideitce, be successful in promoting the
great interests of our constituents confided to otir
care.
Enjoying in an eminent degree the advantages of
a salubrious climate, with asoil which, if not remark-
able for its fertility, seldom refuses to the hand of
labor astiitable return, our state is blessed with an
enterprising, industrious and intelligent population,
deeply imbued with the great and glorious princi-
ples of civil and political liberty which we inherit
from otir fathers, and which, for more than two can-
turies, have constituted the basis of our institutions.
Under the intiilience ofthese cherished principles,
the laws by which oitr venerable cominonwealthlia~i
been governed from its infancy, have been such as
with comparatively few exceptions to secure to our
citizens the ftill enjoyment of their personal rights,
and to the state an honorable distinction for the win.
dam and stability of its general policy.
Our institutions of learning, from the primar
school to those of the highest order for mental cu .
ture and discipline. have, in common with the insti-
tutions of religion. been objects of solicitude to the
eople of Connectictitfrom the earliest period ofonr
liistory. And it is doubtless to the benign influence
they have exerted, from generation to generation,
over the minds and habits of our youth, that we are
chiefly indebted for all that gives value to our social
system, or safe in its administration. In a govern-
ment like ours, where. suffrage is nearly universal ;
where priviledged classes among the electors are
unknown; and where all the avenues to distinction
are open alike to the cltildreri of the poor as of the
rich: an intelligent and virtuous population is es-
ecially essential to the correct administration of the
awe, as to the wisdom of their enactment. For how-
ever well devised may be the laws of a state to _se-
cure the rights of persons or property from invasion
it is obvious that in a comtnunity where every elec-
tor may be called to apply them in the cap_aci_ty ofa
juror, unless the tone of public sentiment is in liar-
mony with the laws, they will afford bitt a feeble
protection from injustice and crime. It is in the
schools ofNew England that those habits of subor-
dination and of reverence for the laws have been
encrally characterized and distinguished wherever
tghe tide of emi ration ltas borne them.
The school and of this s_t_ato, for which we are in-
-. ..-
debted to the provident foresight and wisdom of our
statesmen of Q, former generation,in reserving, while
yet in their power a portion of our western lands,
for this noble object, now amounts to $2.0-’51,4:§3a
77. The dividend distributed to the schools during
the. past year has been $1.49 for each scholar _be-
tween the ages of four andsixteen years, amounting
to $117,717, 60, in addition to ‘the i_iicoi_ne of the de-
pnsite funds appropriated to this object in the sever-
tlltowns.
Nottvitlistanding this munificent provision for the
editcationi of our youth, it appears by the returns of
the last census, that there were in the State of'Con-
necticut in the year 1840. five hundred and twenty
six persons of mature age who were unable to read
and write. What proportion of this number, if any
were natives of the State, the census affords us no
means of determining.
It is much to be desired that our system of com.
mon schools should be improved and perfected, tin-
til b a regular gradation from the primaziy school to
the ighest seminary. the means of education which
they afford shall be such, that notonly the rudiments
of learning may be imported to all of our youth, but
that the higher attainments in literattire and science
shall be within the reach of those whose talents and
inclinations may fit thetn for such pursuits. Then
will our children as they grow tip together in every
community, and form their characters in the same
institutions, be practically taught that great lesson
ofrepublican equality, which while it holds every
citizen in strict subordination to the laws, recogtii-
zes no other distinctions than such as stiperiorintclli-
gence and virtue confer.
. Itgives me pleasure to be able to state that the sal-
utary influence exerted upon our piililic schools by
the late board of education and by the indefatigable
efforts of their secretary, still continues to be f'elt,aiid
has given a new impulse to the cause of edtictition,
by bringing to the knowledge of all otir districts
the results of the experience of other enlightened
states and countries.
Believing as I do that the prosperity ofonr pttblic
schools, and seminaries of every grade, is identified
with the best interests of our coiistituetits. as well as
the glory and honor ofthe State, I shall cordially co-
operate in any measures which your wisdom may de-
vise for its proniolion. .
Although it cannot be expected that ttittch new
legislation will be necessary front year to year, to
perpetuate the principles ofour free iitstittitiotis, ti-
uiong a people who have geiieritllybeen distiiiguisli-
ed for the ardor and zeal whichthey have mtitiifested
in their support, it scents, nevertheless, to be proper
for us occasionally to review our acts, and those of
our predecessors, that we may see whether ottr laws
are such as to secure to all of our fellow citizeiis.tlie
full enjoyment of every personal right or political
franchise, which the spirit ofthe Constitution accords
to them.
In the fierce and violctit contests which party
spirit has too often_engendered to disturb the liar-
niony ofottr constituents, and which have doubtless
been stimulated, and greatly increiised, by the ini-
ineiise official patronage at the disposal oftlie titttioii-
al executive, too tnucli vigilance Ci1nllOtl‘I(3e\’el'Cl>‘et.l
to preserve the purity of the elective f'r:tttclii.<e. by
closing every avenue to the approach of fraud. In
the constitutional reqiiirettietit thutlztws shall be iiiitde
to support the privilege of free siifi'i‘:igo, prescribitig
the manner ofregultiting and cotiducting the tiieet-
ings of tlte electors, and proltibiting tiittlcr adequate
penalties all ttiidiie influence tliereiit, the ditty of
providing by law for the asc_ei'tainmeiit of the pet'-
soiis vvlto. at every sitcli meeting may be entitled to
the exercise of that privilege, and for the exclusion
of all others, is necessarily implied. It was in ful-
filment of this obligation that the Regi.~iti'y act was
passed in 18-l0-—aii act which appears to have been
well adapted to the accoinplisliinciit oftliat object,by
entritstiiig the pcrforinaiicc oftlic duties itprescribed
to the saute Board which the Coiistittttioii itself has
esttiblislied to decide on the quttlificatious ofelectors.
This not while it remained in force, is lielievcrl to
have proved ctriiiiciitly successful in restoring the
confidence of the people in the purity of otir elec-
tions, which had begtiti to be esseiititilly impiiired.
Had the law been enacted at a period free from po-
litical excitement, it would probably have been re-
ceived, as similar regulutioiis have beeti in other
States, with equal approbtttion by fair minded men
ofevery party. Being fully persuaded that it wits
salutary; in its operation, especially in oitr larger
towns‘, and constituted in all aseciirity agaiiistfrtititl-
iileiit voting, I cannot but regard its repeal as an
unfortuniite exercise of the legislative power.
Laws affecting in any special nititiiier particular
classes of our citizens, designating them by their
pursuits or occupations in life. and sttbjectiiig them
on that account to particular disabilities, are at war
with the fundiimeiitttl priiit-.iples on which ottr free
institutions are based. It is the right of every
citizen in the ptirsttit of his own" interest or hap-
piness, to devote liiinselfto tiny euiployiiictit not for-
bidden by the laws, and so long as he detiieatis him-
selfwell, to enjoy equally with the rest ofliis fellow
citizens, all the privileges secured by the Cotistittt-
tioti. Among the most valtiiible of these to the citi-
zeti ofa free state, is that ofliavitig ti voice in the
election of those to whom the adiiiinistratiou of the
govertinietit is entrusted. This right the people
were careful to secure from encronchntcnt by fixiiig
with precision, in the Constitutioii itself, the qualifi-
cations of electors, and b_v ea‘t-'ll)llSltl11glt1eVcl‘_V town
an impartial board to apply tlietti.
The act, passed by the General Assembly in
184?. relative to Students at literarv ins iiiitioiis,
has either been extensively iiii.-utitlersitood in
regard to its objects and practical hearing, or it
seemsjustly obtioxioiis to the objection. not only
of partial lcgi.-lation but of being a palpable io-
fruction of this important constitutional provis-
ion. If. while other classes of our citizens. ir-
respective ofthe eiiiploynients they may pursue
are allowed when of full age to change their
residence at pleasure. and to exercise. at t-lie
place of their actual abode. all their political
rights. this privilege cati he denied to the stu-
dent, we cannot fail to perceive that the same.
principle would equally warrant, whenever it
may be deemed expedient to apply it, D smilar
restriction in regard to arty other piirsiiit. until
at the pleasure of the General Asscrttbly, any
portion of our citizens may be deprived of all
power in the government, or be compelled to
remain as fixtures on the soil that gave them
birth. If. however. nothing more \\'ZlSll]l0lltlF(l
than to declare that at temporary absentie from
the actual ilorriicil ofthe student. for the purpose
of obtaining an ediication at a literary institution
should not, ofitself, constitute a change of resi-
dence. tlieii indeed the statute llllt'll(lll(.'P9 no new
principle in that respect. since the qoestiort of
doniicil has n'wa_\'s depended on the intention,
and not on the occupation of the citizen. But
in this view. also, it scents to he (ll)_j¥-‘Cll0fl8l)l(3-
not only as an unnecessary and lll\'ltll()llS act of
special legislntiiin, lint as an tinconstiiiitional
usstimpfion of the rights of deciding on the
qualification of electors.
All restrictions imposed by society on the
right of suffrage. whether of age. color.rcsitleiici=..
property, or character. are jti lifiable only so
for as they afford to the i-oiiimuoity essential
securities for the free, honest and intelligent ex
ercise ofthis important frutichise. The exclu-
sion ofour colored population from the exercise
-ifa privilege so liberally extcnrled in others by
the Constitution, and which in other New Eng
land Statestliey enjoy oti equal terms.“/as found-
ed. it must be presumed, on the belief that,
whatever might be trite as intlividtiale. they had
not as a race sufficiently recovered from the op-
pre_sstye influences ofslavery. to render it safe
to invite them. especially when coming from
flhmad. to an equal participation in the govern-
ment ofihe State.
The constitution of the State of New York
3l’P°5”5 l0 have been formed under similar
vtews._ But, while it recognizes the propriety of
a partial discrimination between the political
franclitses conferred on the white and colored
citizens. it allows lnllie latter the right of‘ voting
after a three year's residence in the State. do the
possession for a year of an unimcumbered free-
hold ofthe value of two hundred and fifty dol-
fare: and exempts them from taxation until
their disability of voting is removed.
It is neither the duty nor the right of the
Executive to propose amendments to the con-
-:....- -..-.. . .. ... ....;.. -- ..,-.-
stitution,-nor‘ to discuss the propriety. of the
principle assumed by the Corivetition; but l.
deem it-worthy of the C'0flSldt‘.'l‘hl.l0n of the
General Assembly, whether the right of
voting in town meetings ought not to be re-
stored to our colored citizens, asthey former-
ly enjoyed it, when possessed of the same
qualifications which confer the righton other
citizens, who are not electors of the state;
and whether it is consistent with the great
principles maintained by our fathers in the
Revolutionary contest, to subject them to
state taxation, so long as they are excluded
by the Constitution from the right ofsuffrage.
‘While we owe it to the free colored citi-
zen, by new incentives to ‘industry and so-
bri-ty, to encourage him in his efforts to
elevate his condition, we ought also to re-
member that the reproach of slaver_v.though
in a mitigated form, and to a limited extent,
still exists in Connecticut. Is it not time
that every vestige of it system founded in
injustice and ll‘-iU(1, and incapable of being
Supp0l‘lt‘-(1 except by provisions of positive
law, should be effuced lroiri our statute book .7
Ought otirjudges any longer to be con.
strained to withhold their authoritive (le-
claration, that here also, as in the other fret-
states of the North, "man may be the owner
but cannot be the subject of property."
A fugitive slave froiti another state seeking
refuge in Connecticut, cannot, indeed,lie lib-
vfitletl by our laws. The constitution of the
Utiited States gives efi- ct, for the purpose of
recaption, to the slave-laws of the State
froui which he fled. But neither the Con-
stitution nor the law of comity, imposes any
obligation on it State, or the officers ofa stare
which does not itself recognize the doctrine
th ll. man can have property in man,to aid in
tllf'..S,l1l‘l't'nd8l' of the fugitive. By [I l'f't.'(-'nl
decision of the Supreme Court of the U, S,
it has been declared that both the power and
duty to enforce the CDDSllitll.lOnail provision
for the, siirrender of fugitive slaves, pertain,
exclusively, to the iiiitiiinalggrivertimerit. But
If is no less the duty of the State legislator 5
under their own constitutions, to provide {..i
--very l.'ee citizen within their limits adequate-
protection from unlawful seizure or do-ti-ntion.
It is manifest that the act of Congres-
\Vl‘IlCll confers authority oti the inferior nin-
gistriites of at State. to deterrriioe sutiitriarilv
-vithout jury and witliout uppeol, the qut-.3.
tion of the freedom or slavery of a human
being, and by a mere certificate to authorize
his transportation beyond the limits of the
Stzite, does not afliirtl that protection to the
free, which in view of the inotnentous"conse,-
queoces of the decision, a due regard to the
safety of our colored citiz.-ris requires.-
While the decision of the Supreme Court,
to which rt-fercoce has been made, will run-
dvr it proper for the Legislature to niodiftj
the act of l838, rel-ativeto fugitives from sof-
vice, by a repeal of such of its provisions as
impose on any judicial or executive officers
of the State, the duty of aiding in their seiz-
ure or surrr.-nder, it is worthy of your delib-
erate considoration, whether there ought not
to be on entire prohibition of all action by
the State officers, under the powers flll€mplt‘fl
to be conferred by the act of Congress. To
permit the 0fi'icet‘s of the State in their oili-
ci -l cap:ir-ities, to exercise power} .tvlriich
are neither conferred nor, subject to3be re-go.
lated by our laws, seeirs to be at viiriziitce
with it lul1tl€|ll)9Dl;tl principle of our systein,
th:-it eve-ry power with lid to it public officer‘
shall be exercised iindi:-r tho itiflueoce of
act-ouritability to the g0Vel'DIl‘ft.'nl which up-
points him.
in a State like ours, of liiiiitvd territory
and liotiiogenuous population, tvherethetrtie
pi‘int'iplt:s of political economy, as well as of
civil liberty, have been generally well on-
dc-rstood and priicticully illustrated, front the
origin of the g'OVt‘.l‘Illllt'ni, a graidtial tidziptii-
ll()l| of the laws to such modifications in the
habits and pursuits of the Clllzt-HS, as are oc-
CilSl0fl(’d by the increase of population,or by
changes in lb--ir external relations, is all llirit
can ordinarily be necessztry or desirable-
Great innovations in legislating for such a
coiiiinuiiity are iiliviiys dangerous, and new
theories, however plausible-. should be re-
ceived with ctitition if not with distrust.—
It is perhaps to much the spirit and ten-
dency Ol the age to dslri-gard the lights til
experience, and rashly adventure upon the-
t'lt‘SifllCllt)n of institutions and laws. \'.'l‘.lt'.ll-
have become vi-neriible by time, in View of
occasional evil which we perceive, without
suflici--ntly attending to their silent and salu-
tary influences on the social system.
It may well be questioned whether this
t.ll:'j_l0Sll.l-in has not within it few years past
been carried much farther than a just regard
to the tvelfire of the people has required;
and whethi-r sortie of the changes recently
introduced into otir laws h:i‘.'t-, not teiitled to
it-eaki-n the sense. of the moral obligaiiioti of
contracts, as well as to throw down tho es-
sential guards for the preservation of good
lttllh and integrity in their oliservaiici-.
One ofthe highest obligations assumerl bv
society in every well regtiliitcd government,
and one in which our own constitution i.-
l_!I).'1l‘-tnletl by an express dt'Ci8l‘a{lOfl- in the
Bill ol Rights. is that of providing an effectu-
'ttl remedy by due course of law for et~er_t;
injury. anti oftiilring care that right and jus-
tice are duly atliriinister»-d.
It is worthy of the consideration of the
General Ass»-nibly, whether otir laws affect
mg the relation of debtor and creditor-—a re-
ltlllon subsisting between iill classes of our
ii:haliit..ints—ate such as to secure. on the
one hand, the honest but insolvent debtortroiii
oppression, and on the other. to furnish to the
creditor, whose misplaced confidence may
have led him to entrust his property to a
friiiidiileut d-bior, the power of coercing a
disclosure and surrender of his ineans.—
Vhile no poor du-btorsbould, under any
circuiiistances, be exposed to ln![)I'l80nllll~’nl
on account of his inability, there can be no
doubt that the laws‘ ought to be so fronted,
that the obligation which the governirirnt
has assumed to iidininister justice to all, shall
be fulfilled according to its spirit, and at the
stinie time as far as may be practicable, so
that by their silent operation, and general
policy, fraud and iuiprovidence may be dis-
couraged and restrained.
While many ofour sister states are deeply
embarrassed in their financial cont:--rns, and
sotne unhappily to such an cxtentasto render
them not only unniindful of their plighted
fil_llh._bUt apparently to the dishonor of its
violation, it aflords just cause of congratula-
tion to the people of Connecticut, that we
.. _ ,_
_ ,g_ ---» .v._\r~_,-_-... . ,.-.,. \l ..._, .
have no public debt to provide for, and no
claims on our Treasury which itis not, atall
times. prepared to meet. Such it is to be
hoped will continue to be the wise policy of
the State; and although we may fall short
of others in the splendor of our public im-
provements, we shall at least have the satis-
faction of reflecting that the character of our
coininutiity is preserved free. from reproach,
and our public fiith front dishonor. _
Extensive works of internal improvement
can seldom be prosecuted with the same
economy by States, as by individual t't'l'-(‘I’-
prise; and the anticipation of reiiiuneriititig
income has so oft failed to . be reziliz--d.
however plausible and apparently well found-
ed muy have been the previous calculations,
that it ought never to be relied on as the only
resource for defraying their cost. This a
fatal error whichhas proved so disastrous to
the States which have adopted it. and in its
consequences has iiifilctetl so deep it wound
on the credit of our country.
The same reasons which ordinarily r«-n-
der it incxpi-dieiit for States to involve them-
selves in debt in the prosecution of eoterrpisrs
of local iitiprovemetit, apply with equal, and
pl-'l'l'l'r|pS gr:-ater force, to the lesser contain-
nltir-s into which the State is diviled for mu-
nicip-il purposes. For the constantly opera
ting motives of personal or local interest, in
view of present or anticipated benefits, th-
teuipt:ttinti is altvays strong to trig.-"ige in ex-
penditures for public itriprovt-iiieiits. if thr-
payment can be left to be provided for by
others who had no agency in ttiiposiog the-
burden. Some of our cities have become in
volved in debt to their se; ions t‘nll.)«IfrI1$Slltt‘lll
ant injury. In view of these evils it St‘t'lll>
to be ilesimble ll]-ti suitable provision should
be mide by law to prevent their recutr- rice.
The Banks in this State are believe-d to
be all in ii prosperous condition. As thv
tzills which they issue supply it large portion
of the currency of the State, they are very
properly stil.-jected, in the manztgeitierit of
their concerns. to the discreet, i-nliglitencd
supervision of the governiit-. tit.
Butus this supervision is only required
for the protection of the public, it should be
vxercised with a scrupulous regard to l.llt'
rights of the confidential rt-lotions of other
citizens to the baolts. I suggi st for ,_t,-our
consideration. wlietlier some of the provis-
ions in the acts recently passed are not Cul-
CUlill('f1 to embarrass those institutions, with-
otit affording to the public any additional
prottction: and whether it would not l)t-'
safer for the community, and better harmon-
ize with the principles of our governmerit. if
lhejlldlclzil powers, riotv vested in the Bank
Cotrioiissioneis, were left to be exercised by
the courts. '
In our consultation for the promotion of
the gem-ral intet‘es'.s of the cotiitnunity, we
shall not, [aiti persuade-d, truly rt-presentthv
generous S“fllllllt“l‘ll.$ of our constitut nis. if
we sufl-r ourselves to ovcrloolr the continued
claims on our justice and hiitiianity, of those
unfortunztte classes of oitr fellow citizens.
who by the afflictive dispensations of Provi-
tltzncr-, are deprived ofthe light of reason, or
bereft of the ordinary means of its cultiva-
tion. and thereby made dependent on the pub-
lic benevolence for support. _
(lf these, there. are none so absolutely
helpless as the insane prior; and none, whose
stiff}-rin<__is—in the condition in which [hey
are too cortiitionl_y found when the public
snfety requires their confineini-nt-—:ippeal
more touchingly to otir synipathii-s, for sortie
more litimtin e provi.-ions foit heir accommo-
dation and relief, where the moral and mt-di
cal treatment, essential to their support,
either .it the expo use of the State, or of the
towns to which they belong, at the Retreat
for the insane, even if it shall be found ne
cessary to enlarge still more than the exist-
ing iippropriation will allozv, its Ctlpnclly for
their accbrriinodaition,
\Ve live in a period distinguished for be-
nevolent rind successful efforts to tDt‘ll0l'atP
the condition of our race. i\]1lSSlO:.al‘lPS of
the cross have penetrated the (lorki-st tibotles
of ignorance and superstition. Bt'I)lgl.lt'(l
regions of heathen barbarisin have he-t-ii
cheered and eriliahto-ned by the teiichings of
Christianity. De-spotic QOV|"l'l'llIll-‘INS of Eu-
rope have made provision for the U[ll\'f‘l'$fll
e-ducat.ion_ of the poor. The ft-tiers of the
slave have been burst asstinrler, and a noblr
triumph of liberty achi.-vi--d llll‘()I)gllCl1l.llir"
i-uiiiettse possessions of the British Enpire.
By onv of the ,¢2l‘t-Y-il.t'St :ind most SUCl.°¢‘SSlUl
lflOl'iIl enterprises of the age. the dt-solutions
of lritettipcttince have been stated. Hun-
dre‘-(ls of thousands of valuable citizens. lone
lost to society, have been f(’ll0V3[t'Cl and re-
Sl.-iI‘r'd, and millions have been saved lfclfl
ltllpPn-ling ruin.
In our own State it is gratifying to knott-
that this glorious l'r'fOl'l]lall0l'l,lllollgli retard
rd perhaps by recent I:-gtislation, still main
ttiins its onward progr- ss. Its fruits are
every w llt:'l'l‘. apparent. IVithin the past year
privt.-l‘ly and crime have sensibly dittiioishrd.
'l‘he tears of the li)!‘0'tt‘n hearted have been
dried up. and joy and gladnrss diffosi-rl
through many a family circle, to which they
h it] long been strangers.
I leitrn with f‘t‘._f1l‘L't flint in some parts of
the state, if painful reaction has cointncnced,
under the lf‘l’llpll.ll.l0l'lS of an unregulab d traf-
fic, formerly suppress'd in many towns, by
a decisive expri-ssioti of public sentiment, but
now not siibj--et to its control. Your atten-
tion will be called tothe expediency of fur-
Llier legislation on this interesting subject. by
numerous petitions which I recoiritiiend to
your lfllrflllgelll consideration.
C0tllmll.l(‘€‘S were appointed at the last
session of the General Assembly. to revise
the laws relative to the militia of this state;
the laws relstive to the settlement of estates
and probate courts: and the laws relative to
taxation. A committee was also appointed
to prepare a systt-iii for the ptinishnient and
reformation of juvenile offenders. Reports
on the important subjects confided to these-
severiil committees. may be expected during
the session. They will doubtless command
your respectful and attentive consideration.
The militia of Connecticut approved its
valor and discipline. on the battle grounds of
the Revolution. The young and the mid-
dle aged, who now compose it. are the natur-
al defenders of the glorious inheritance trans-
mitted to their fathers. The same patriotic
spirit which aniinati-d them, and gave to the
citizen soldiers of Connecticut an honorable
reputation in the ranks of the Revolutionary
army, yet glows in the bosom of their sons.
, .
character which the militia of Connecticut
equal to every call of future duty. Many of,
the enlisted and battalion cotnpanies. from the ;
spirit of honorable emulation which excites}
theiti. have acquired, and otteii exhibit-.-what;
we have witnessed on the present tinniversa-§
r_y—a perfection of discipline, and precision’
of nioveini-tit, rarely siirptissetf.
I shall be gratified if it shall be found, on .
the report of the coiiiiiiittee, that the burtlieos
of the iiiilttiii——-which have been clieerlullyl
sustaiiied when their necessity has been felt——l
can be lightened, without impairing its t-ffi-l
Clrtlcy, either of organization or discipline.
The subject of taxation, involving as itl
does so many conflicting intero-sts, is one of"
much delicacy and intrinsic difficulty. Our
system was originally designed as a tax upon
income. and however perfect may have been
its former adaptation to the theory on which
it was based, its present iiieqiitility is appa-
rent. it will ifltilcl me great pleasure to
co-operate with you in any suitable titeii.-‘ure
which may be devised for its i-q:iliz=ition, and
for the more perfect i)pp0l‘ll0|)tllt’l)l. of l!S bur-
ihe.-ns to the relative ability of our citiz-its.
and the benefits they derive from the pt‘ol,i-c-
tion of the govt-rnriii-nt. But to change at
once. the principle oti which any systein of
Lixtition is based, and to which the r« lotions
of the different spc'.l4'S of taxable property or
sources of ittcori;e'hove become adjust. d. and
the htihits of the people by long usage cuti-
toriiied, and to iiitiodii-re and perfect in its
.-ti-ad it new and untried sy.-tem itith all its
necessary details, will riqviite git at Clft3U!l'i-
vpl ction and mature deliberation.
It is peculiarly ii subject on which the
popiilur character 0f0t1l'g0vr'l‘t)tIl&lll requires
but there should be opportunity for a full
consultation of the people, under circumstun
ces ltivorttble to calm and di.-‘passioiiate re
fli-ctioti, before any alteritioii is iriale by
which their int- tests may be materially
zffectcd. .
Coming as you do directly from the p90-
plt: in all parts of the Stile, you will be able
to judge to what t.’.\letll they have content-
pllll.-(l ii Clltlflgv in‘ the existing systt-in of
l:t.\'ifl._lUn, and \\‘llilllt'l' a definite it-.'ll0fl, at
the pres» tit session, on the i-oitiiitittee, or a
postporieimrnt otthc subject for ll]t'll fortheifo
more di-liberate (‘(lflSlt1t‘l“dllO[l, \\ ill l)t’Sl. coin-
port with the feelings and ititi-r;sts of our
cotistzluctits.
The great importance to tie people of
Connecticut ofan improved and enlightened
stile of agriculture, has heretofore cotiituand
ed the utteriiioii of thv General Assembly;
and the pectiriinry aid, which has been re-
ceived from the treasury under the act oi
H340. by the county SOClf'llL‘S i-staiblished for
its protiiotion, has enabled l.lif‘lll to prosecute
the objects of their llS.~OCltl'.lt)[l with increas-
ed vigor and success. While science is daily
‘:‘Xll'nLllllg its dominion, by the practical ap-
plication of its truths, in this, as in otherl
dep-irtitieiits ofproductive iridostty it is gl'ill'
ilyiiig to know that the in'.t.-lligvnt farmers
ofonr State are atvalte to the iiiiporttincc not
only of availing 'il1L’IllSc‘lVf‘5 of its benefits.
but ofiiiditig in the diffusion of the blessitigs
which accrue from its ctiltivtition. The
efforts which have bt'l'n riiucli-, in other ;~t:~itt‘s
and countries, to tlevelopt‘ tlii-ii’ natural re-
sourci-rs and cupzibilitics by .=.ysteuia'.ic and
well conducted agricultural surveys, have
generally been attended with the happiest
l't'SUllS. In regard to the expediency and
probable expeiise of such a survey of this
State a report may be expected from a coni-
tnlttce to whom the subject was corifided by
the General Assembly at the l-‘lSl session.
Agriculture is Ul.q!Jt'SllUl'lIlbly the greatrst
interest of the country tvhicli more than any
other gives eiriployiiit-tit to its industry and
capital. But thou.-h it may be truly said to
constitute the basis oftlie wealth of the states,
the experience of the world has proved that
agriculture alone, unaided by the detnzinds of
coiritnerce and iriariolacturr-s, can never con-
fer the higliestdn-gree of individual or nation-
of prosperity. lt isthe hope of advantage
to be re.ilized from an exchange of his sur-
plus products, that stimulates the labor of
the agriculturist. If these are incapable of
t-xchaiogi-, they become uorthless to trio pro-
ducer, and cease to forni.-h a motive or a
reward for lis industry. Hence it has been
the wise policy for every nation which has
etijoyed a high degree of prospi-rit_v, to en-
Cutiriigc atiiorig its L'll.lZt;‘tlS such it (llvL‘rslt_y
in their pursuits as to render all the great
dc-p.-irtiiii tits of productive industry auxiliary
to each other, and thtis cause lllerl) to co-ope-
ate in the creation of nation il otitl individual
t\'t'Zll l).
The success which has attended our mari-
iilacturers and artisans, when rezisotitibly pro-
l.t'L'l.l.‘Cl by the government, in their efforts to
rival the productions of foreign indus
try and slrill. has furnished gratifying e.vi'
dence that iii a country so rich and abuiidunt
in all the nect--ssiirics and comforts of life.
and in all the materials e-ssentiril to the most
diversified eitiployitientof its iridostry, it rests
with ours--lves, by the itiaiiiteritince of stable
and perinant-nt laws for its protection, to se-
cure to every class of our citizens a just re-
ward for heir labor.
Utider theauspicious influence of the tariff
oflS-12. our iiiechanicol and iritiniifacturing
stablishinerits, prostrate-d by the former
policy of the goveintneiit, are again reviving.
The basis of oti-r currency is no longer
ivithdr.-iwn to pay for excessive importation
from abroad. New and better riiarltete are
opetiiiig for the productions of agriculture,
and every species of labor, though still de-
pressed. is beginning to find its appropriate
employment. We are permitted to hope
that the period ofjntense suffering is already
past. and that when confidence in the stabili-
ty of the protective policy of the government
shall be more fully restored, the hum of
successful industry \\ ill again bet-very where
heard, diffusing prosperity and happiness
through the land.
Already have the anticipations of its
friends been more than realized. Instead of
diminishing as was confidently predicted the
revenue of the nation, its exhausted treasury
has been replenished, the credit of the gov-
ernment restored, and while no btirthen of
additional taxation has been felt'by the peo-
ple, an ample revenue is secured for every
i-xigency. The hostility, lately so prevalent
in several ofthe planting states, to what we.-
once the favorite policy of the south, is ap-
parently yielding to the light oftruth and the
And there can be no doubt, from the high ‘convictions.-‘of experience.
"ufl
And there are
lcheering indications, from every part of the
has ever sustained, that it will prove tlselfscountry, that the bent-ficent operation of this
truly American system. which had its - ori.
gin under the pure and iv-nlightenud lldlfliflls-‘
tration of the father of his country, is rapid.
ly conciliating the favor and will ulttniately
receive the cordial and permanentsupport of
the Aiiierii.-an people.
Differing as the people of the several
states do in their habits, products, commerce,
and internal institutions. no SySl.r.’lll of policy‘
which human ingenuity can devise, ciin be‘
expert}.-d entirely to correspond with the po- '
litieal VlN\\'S.OriIll. But if we lmll-alt) the
example of the illustrious men who founded
our govt.-rntiit amidst so many difficulties and
dangers, we shall bring to the examination
of its nicasuri-s that spirit of candor and lib-
erzility which belongs to wise and patriotic
ci:iz.»ns, deeply inter:-sir-d ‘in the def. nce and
iiiiiiiit--notice a-four comozon libr-rtir-3, and
¢‘Vt‘r uiiritlftil ofonr obligation to cherish and
stisttiln \.\‘l}Hl.t‘\’(.’|' is essetitltil to the safety,
litippiness, and gl_ory iiftlte people-.
The govt-inmerit of the United Sl&1lt‘S,\\ im-
in the Splti'l‘tf of its legitiiiiote powers as pre-
svribt-d by the Constitution. is necessarily su-
preme. and requires no aid from the author-
ities of ii State. but obtdii-nce to the niandnte
ofthe Constitution, to enable it by the orce!
of it.-: own laws. faithfully llClll:ll'llSlt:l't'd and
-ippli-U. to perform every constitutional dutv.
'l".'ie recent nullification by four of the
Sl:il.t‘S. withthe subsrquent stint-tion of the
irloiise of Rt"Pft‘Sf?lil.u|l‘-‘ES, of a law of the U.
oite-tl States ptissttl by both houses of Con.
gress in the exercise ofii pow:-r specificially
conlerrd by the Constitution.untl approved by
th-~l’rc-sitleiit, is tin i-vi-nt \\ liich cannot fail to
-iwaki-ri in the minds of reflecting citizens, a
feeling of deep solicitude for the future.——
Coiicurtirig as I do, entirely, in the senti-
!lt"nl. so Clitpllsillcfllly t‘Xpl‘tSSP(l in the memo.
riable procliitiiatioti of President Jackson to
the people of South Carolina, -that the pow.
»-r to annul at law ofthe Ullllt‘d States is in-
coiripatilile ttith tlieexisttiice of the’ Union
corilriidict-d expressly by the letter of the
Constittition. unautliorizid by is spirit, in-
.‘0llSlE[t'Hl. with every principle on \\l'llCl'l it
was foiitided, and destructive of the great oh-
jt-‘Cl for which it was found:-d,’—l entertain
too much confidence in the lfllt’lllSIf‘flC8 aritl
patriotism of the people of the United States
to believe that this dangerous l’ieresy—tho
«title which was-tlien so Sl',]l'l.'lllV iehult--d,
though now rt-appearing inii differint form
——will long be stiff--i‘ed to prevail. There
is reason to hope from the mariila-stations of
public 5t‘flllHlf'Dl. already exhibitrd. flint the
House of R--presuolaiit-es, when renot-titi d
by a new election, will ll.-ell be prepared,
should the opportunity ugnin occur to vindi-
cate the S!)pl't’tllElCy of the law in the place
which so lately tvittiessed its greatest dishon-
t)i'. -
The T€"l\’itl hi’ the Preside-tit ofthe United
States of the project, rejected by a former
azlministration, of mini-xirig the foreign gov-
ernziie-nt of Texas to the Union, by an extra-
ordinary exercise of the treaty uialting pow-
er, is exciting an intense ff‘:-lint; of anxiety
and zippreliension in the minds of the people
of tits state. It is a subject in C0l'Hp:[l'lS(,[)
with tvhich——t\'ltether considered with refi-r-
ence to its beariiig on the peace, the honor
and the future \\'t?lf1ll't' of the country, or in
its relation to the general c:iuse_ofliiimaii lib-
erty do happirit-ss—-»-all other topics of poliiiciil
discussion sink into insigiiifirarice. The on.
oexatioti of '1‘:-xos to the Union, while it
would ne::csszii'ily involve us in the (infanti-
ties of a war \‘Lll.ll Mexico, under. t'ircurt:-
stances, as our goverimit nt itself has declar-
ed iricottip.-itible with the national honor,
would be scarcely lt'SSCilS~Sll'()US in its con-
sequences to the internal pea-e and ll'-illqllll-
tly of the country. It would disturb. if it did
not utterly subvrtt, llltl very louritlation of
otir goverutiictit, by (ir'Sl.l‘t)ylll_Q’ that balance
Of PO‘-\'t:’l‘ atlfl ll‘-il'tli0t]_V Of lnlt-’t'r'3t, l)L‘l,l'- 94-0
the. different sections of the cotiiitrv, whit-h
it was the design ofthe fra-iii-r.-: of the C- ri-
stitution, by tbcit‘ rnuttiul C0l'l(.'t’SSl(.ln5. to es-
tablish orid pl‘t'S1l‘\‘t'; and riotiiinp; criuld
have ii more disrtstroiis lt‘ll(.lt‘l1('.\,’ to we-alreti
the iittziclitiietit oftbe people. of. the United
States to this gi')\'t*l‘nmt‘lll e;~tal.lished by our
ltilllPl'S ‘to secure the l.li-ssiiius of liberty to
lllt-'mS"l\'€S and their posterity,’ than to nit-
tiess the perversion of its pottivrs to the tin-
holy purpose of extending and st-curing by
the gutirztnties ofthe Ctlllrlllulltltl, the curse
of perpetual slavery ovt-r art itntiir-use and
f rtile l.t‘Il'll.Ol_\', free by the laws of its parent
State. and fitted by nature for the abode of a
tiation of freeitien.
Being fully persuaded ll]v'll.'l.ll(’l'8 is no
P0\\'t’l‘ Under the Constitution, in the Presi-
dent and Senate, or in Congress, to annex 3
lot'ei_r,-u nation and its territory to the Union
of these States: to tlli'l.li't3 the people of the
United States it party to its obligations. its
treaties and its wars; to comps-ll them to
share in the moral guilt of its voluntary in-
stitutions of s avt-ry, and to incur the oilium
of the whole civilized world by extending to
it the guar.-inty of the Constitution; or to
stipulate for its admission, with the privilege
of.-i slave r- presentation, to participate with
us in the government of the Union, and in
the rich inheritance acquired for us by the
Volt)!‘ and the sacrifices of our ancestors; I
trust that the General Asseriiidy will deem
it their duty on this occasion to renew their-
soleiiin protest, in the name of the people "of
this Stutt‘, in such terms as will -manifest
their determination to abide by the Consiirn.
tion, and as a riietiiber of the Union, to hem
those who shall be lDSlIl.llllt“nl-‘ll in its viola.
tion for the accomplishment of a measure
fraught with so much evil, responsible be-
fore God and the Country for the consequen-
ces that tiiay ensue.
A proposition for the amendment of the
sixth article of the Constitution of this State,
by the omission of all the qualifications of 9,
lectors now required, except those of color,
age, residence, and character, was published
with the laws of the last session. It does not
appear on the face of the resolution or by
any accompanying official nllvslalinn, to have
been pass:-d_by a majority of the House of
Representatives, as required by the Constitu
tion._ How far this irregularity may be ans,
ceptible of correction, or may affect your ac.
tion on the proposed amendment, are queg.
ttons to which your attention will necessari-
lV be called. And should ou find - .
S , _ ,_b Y your
r vts at i crty to act on the resolution, the
question ofthe propriety of exclusion foug.
Norwalk Chronicler