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whole robject, with our corespondenee, end
ebeerfiilfy xecotnmeftd them to take such ac
tion, u will enable my successor to bring the
matter to a final termination. I entertain
so doubt bat the Legislature will promptly
dp so.”
* It Is proper to observe that the Governor of
Florida, although content with its terminal
points, is of the opinion that the present rec
ognised line is imperfectly surveyed and
marked and crooked. All that his proposi
tion contemplates* besides agreeing to tho
terminal points, is that, that line shall be re
surveyed and re marked, provided it shall
he shown by either party {that it is imper
fect. If true, it is the interest of both Btutes,
that the line should be correctly run, And
well defined ; and as Georgia ia acting en
tirely on the defenmve.not wishing to enlarge
her territory’ at the expense of Florida, I
“ promptly accepted the proposed basis of set
tlement and respectfully submit the same for
your favorable conaideration. It is but jus
tice to say, that throughout the eutirq,corres
pondence, the Governor of Florida exhibited
the tnoet amicable spirit and the utmost re
spect for the feelings and rights of this State,
all of which waa moat cordially reciprocated
•n iny part.
Without entering into the argument, I re
new the recommendation, for a Geological
survey of the State, so imperatively demand
ed by its vest undeveloped agricultural and
mineral resources. The expense of such a
work ia absolutely Insignificant, compar
ed with Its beneficial results. , k Will the
Legislature continue to refusfe encouragement
for the improvement of the soil? Shall we
never see the day, when science shall direct
tlio enterprise of the husbandman, and ex
plore tbe treasures of our mountains.
The necessity of revising and amending
Mifiria laws, so as to render them efficient,
for the purpose designed’has so often been
presented to the General Assembly, without
eliciting favorable action, Mist I feel as if I
am obtruding upon your consideration an un
welcome theme, by renewing the subject.
But such, in tbe judgement of tbe Executive
ia tbe maguitude Jana importance of the ob
ject, that l venture again to invite special at
tention to It.. The Military power is the
sight arm of the government. We depend
upon it to enforce the civil laws of the land,
if resisted by numbers sufficient to require
its interposition, to crush insurrection and re
pel invasion. A standing army is repugnant
to the character of our ‘government, and
therefore a citizen soldiery is our only reli
ance, for all the emergencies, which may call
for the employment of military force. Are
*>ur liberties worth preserving J Are our civ
il rights end institutions, sufficiently valuable
to be maintained and defended t Ours be
ing themnly government on earth, that rec
ognises the equality and sovereignty of the
people, it is despised by despots who watch
with [hopeful anxiety, the opportunity for
successful assault, and with evident gratifica
tion, every symptom of fatal discord. Caii it
he expected then, that we aro to enjoy a per
petual reign of peace and that our career to
froatneaa and renown will.be unimpeded by
ay the shock and calamities of war. Our
territory stretches from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and from Lake Superior to the Gulf
•f Mexico. Our population is increasing
with unexampled rapidity, our interests ore
diversified and conflicting, the socinl institu
tions of the South differ from those of the
North, and they are relentlessly assailed by
tbo Abolitionists, whose policy, if triumphant
will drive us from the Union, or to the
more terrible degradation of submission to
their aggressions. Shall we lie supinely up
on our backs and “hug the delusive phuutoin
of peace aud fraternity? Shall we make
no-preparation, for self defence and self nrm
serration, when every year brings -nearer W
to our doors the assassin and incendiary 1 I
am sufficiently hopeful of the future. I
would uot sketch exagernted pictures of our
prospect. 1 would not too readily anticipate
the lun-rert of the storm and the tempest.
Rut if history he true, the past leads us to
expect difficulties, and the voice of patriotism
aud sadm admonishes us to prepare tor
rliem. Kven now our political horisou is drap
ed in clouds and the deep inutterings 7 of dis
content are heard, from one extreme to the
•ther of the Uuion. Sooner than we suppose
we may be forced to defend our rights and
Lopor by the cournge of our people and the
strength of our arms. Are we ready 1 On
the contrary, we have almost no organised
military force. Our militia laws are dis
charged. Scarcely a district in the State is
properly officered. Our people are unarmed
and untanght in the art of war The effec
tive military strength of the State is not and
cannot be ascertained under existing laws.
1 resyecluUy submit to Legislature, whether
this State of things might to be permitted
longer to exist I Is it compatible with the
honor and dignity of the State? Is it not
fearfully hasardoua to our safety within and
from without ? Is it not, in truth, an invi
tntiou for aggression f What is the remedy ;
Wo must have a thorough militia reorganiza
tion, with such regulations, as will render the
system capable of being enforced. Wb
must have a sufficient number of men trained
ip military tactics to officer the forces of
the State. The Georgia military institute
{* hose report is herewith submitted,) is rap
idly supplying this*.desideratum, and there
fore, it should balustered by the-legislature ‘
with the utmost liberality. We ought to
have a well organised and drilled volunteer
corp* in every county in the State: and there
fore the formation of companies should be
encouraged. This may be effectually done,
hy exempting from military duty, except
m time of war, invasion or insurrection, all
between the ages pf eighteen and forty-five
years, who may have served for seven years
continuously, in any company. The military
spirit should be fostered. This may bo done
hy raising and setting a part a fund to defray
the expenses of an annual military encamp
ment, at such time and place as the Com
_ mander m-clrfeif may order. Such convoca
tion will give uniformity in drill secure the
” enforcement of discipline, cultivate frater
nal.’ fleeing among the corps and in some de
gree, inure them to the usages and hardships
of the field. Such a fund as may be requir
ed for the purposoepn be raised hy substitu
ting a small commutation tax, in lieu 6f
actual military duty, in time of peace, at the
option of the cirisen. Our people, liable to
Nee, ought to bo furnish
raiu to rely upon the
the General Govern
s Congress, for arming
ted States Tbo sup
ie ind equate to furnish
*n ponies scattered over
tic Legislature should
either make an annual appropriation for
this purpose or establish an Aruiony, for tho
manufacture of arms. Tbe lntter.it is be
lieved, will prove the more efficient, and in
end, the more economical. 1. earnestly in
voke your favorable consideration of this im
portant branch of tho public service.
It is needless to adduce argument, to con
vince intcligent men of educational wants of
Georgia,- It is ‘den. onstrated by the foot
that there are many thousand adults, in our
midst who can neither read nor write and
many poor children who must be forever de
barred the blessings of education in conse
quence of the 1 poverty of their parents; by
the great delieiancy of teachers to supply the
demand in almosfcvery section of the State :
by the character of our political institutions,
which are baaed upon tho assumed capacity
of the people for seif government; by tho
fact, that too many of our children are sent
to distant States for education, where they
are liable to imbibe doctrines hostile to our
peculiar social organization,and arc surround
ed by influences calculated to impart an anti
Southern tone to their sentiments and feel
ings! by the crime that burdens our crimin
al dockets, and leaves its thousands of tribute
upon the earnings of honest industry, to
support paupers mid prisons; by the violence
and corruption that desecrate the ballot box,
at all our popular elections: by the exhaus
tions of theaiiiL under a syslem of Agricul
ture that glories in excluding the application
of scientific principles I am aware that edu
cation, to be effective, roust command the
zeal and appreciative energies of tbe parents
of each succeeding generation. I Bin equal
ly aware, that tbe establishment of any gen
eral scheme, will require in the end, a large
expenditure of money. But as it may not
be ncconiplislicdvin n day or n year, so the
entire amount need not be appropriated at
once. It must be a work of time, and ifh
fruits gathered through successful years ol
patience and toll. But shall this be an ar
gument for nostponihg indefinitely its com
mencement 1 Is it not rather an incentive
to speedy action,stimulated by the promptings
of patriotism ?. But the ob
ligation of the legislature rests upon speeinl
grounds. The Constitution is mandatory.
Amticlk IV. Hut ion XIII, declares that
“ Tbe arts and sciences shall be promoted, in
the establishment ot one or more seminaries
of learning, and the Legislature ahull, as
soon ns conveniently may he,give such futtli
er donotions and privclidgos to those al
ready cstalislicd, as may be necessary to se-“
euro the objects of their institutions ; and it
ahull be the duty of the General Assembly,
at their next scssioit (that isV tbe next session
after tbe adoption of the constitution) to
provide effectual means for the improvement
and permanent security of the funds and en
dowments of such institutions.” What lias
been done to carry into effect this clause of
ynur Constitution! How little? Irvins re
ference mainly to the State University,which
had been chartered in 1785. Hence it is ob
vious, that it is the sirorn duty of tbe Gen
eral Assembly, to place our State University
upon tbe footing contemplated by its wise
and patriotic founders, or, in other words,
“ give it such donations and priviledges as
may be nccessury to secure the objects of its
institution.” Indeed the wliolo subject of
education is confided to the General Assem
bly, with the positive injunction to such ac.
tien as may bo proper to supply tbe wants of
the State. The contracted policy which is
ever standing at the door of the Treasury,
with a “flaming two-edged sword, is but little
better than moral treason to the Constitution,
which, for more than half a century, has been
plending for conformity_on the part <}f those,
who swear to, obey. Education is tlio friend
of tho State. It wfill elevate - tho people..
It will diminish crimyand tho expense of ex
cuting tho laws. It will prize out the poor
from the-miro into which innocent poverty
has sank them, and place them on nn inttel
lpctiml equality with tho favored sons of tor
ture. It will dig from, the mine many nn un
polished gem, to glitter in the crown of cul
tivated society. It will stimulate enterprise
nnd direct its energies to profitable objects.
It will dignify labor, (and open new channels
for capital. It will disinter the mines of
wealth of the State, and add millions to the
productions of Agriculture. It’ will bring
into tlie gold of science an array of mind
that will adorn our escutcheon nnd dazzle
tlie world by its nclielvomonts. In n word,
Georgia must foil of her groat mission, witli
ourtlie adoption of a wise nnd corn predion
sivo educational policy f~ Away, thou, with
that narrow stinginess which begrudge* a
dollars, cause, while it is often wasteful “of
thousands is upon objects that possess little or
no merit. *Go forward boldly, thinly, liberal
ly,- to meet tlio wants of the Stale. Ad
just your seheme to-the character of our pop
uTation. Apply to tlie task your wisest de
liberations. Impart to it the element of self
vindication and self support. Make it
simple, in its details, and dependent, for its
success and growth, upon tho voluntary sup
port of the people.
Can such a system of Common School ed
ucation be devised 1 What lias been accom
plished in other States can be done here.
Upon so delicato'* and difficult’a subject, I
present the outline of a plan witli diffidence.
But I make tlie venture, for what it i~wortli,
hoping that it mny.at least, prove suggestive
of something better.
1. Authorise each comity, at its option,,
to be divided into Common School Districts,
of such dimensions that children can wnlk
from their several boundaries to tho school
bouse to be located in the centres.
2. eacli District be clothed with tlie
poiver of self-taxation, and tlio • appointment
of a Treasurer.
3. Let each District, by public meeting
annually to be held, declare what sum they
are willing to raise for Common School pur
poses therein, to be collected by taxation, or
tlie State Tax ia now collected by law, and
to be paid over to the District Treasurer.
4. Upon the Report of tho District Trea
surer to the Executive, of the amount actu
ally collected, let the Governor be authorised
to dra w liis warrant on the Stato Treasury,
for a like sum to be paid to tlio said District
Treasurer, which together with the money
thus collected by voluntary Taxation, shall
constitute a Common School fund for such
District for the year, for which it may be in
tended.
5. Let tho Common School District Trea
surer be reqlred to give bond and security,
under the approval of the Inferior Court of
the county,* for the faithful application of the
fund, and to make annual returns to the In*
icrior Court, on the first Monday in January,
in each year, accompanied with vouchers for
In* disbursements* v „
The advantages of this plan are palpable.
First, it is simple j secondly.it addresses it
self to the voluntary action of the peoplo of
each District. If they wish a school they
1 can have it; if they do not, it will not lie
forced upon them. Thirdly, this appeal to
the voluntary principle, will beget thought
and debate, ho that, if rejected at first, truth
will finally prevail, and the system be adopt
ed, It will therefore prove to be a growing
self-vindicating, self sustaining system. —
Fourthly.it meets the objection which is so
formble.tbat in some sections,tho population ia
so sparse, that the Common School system |is
impracticable. It is intended to operate on
ly where there are inliabitants.and even then,
alone upon the condition, that they are will
ing and ready to do tlieir part towards it.
Lastly, the abscence of (school pi iv Hedges
will no longer deter immigration, to destitute
regions. This plan will invite immigration,
and thus soon fill up the uninhabited Dis
tricts.
It may be though, that the adoption of
such a system will, at once, create a demand
for money which the State Treasury connot
meet. That it will require a considerable
sum of money is obyious; but not so much
as to dotor from the experiment. It will not
be adopted in every county of the State, at
first—murhjlcss by every school District.
Many will not have -the “population ; many
will reject 4t, for years, until they have dis
cussed it thoroughly, and risen to a proper
appreciation of” education"; many, more eith
er from inability or disinclination,will impose
on themselves a vory light tax. Therefore
the amount called for, from the State Trea
sury, will, in the infancy k of the system, be
comparatively small. Besides, in t his parti
cular from, it need-no{ bn perpetual VV lion
it shall have diffused population and tbe
blessings of-educatiou over the State, it can
be modified as experience may show to be
necessary. Tbe great desideratum, for the
present, is to arouse our people to tbe impor
tance of tho subject. Wlieii this shall havo
been accomplished,they will not stop to weigh
dollars and cents against education.
But this, nor any other system of educa-
be canled into effect,without a vast
increase of tbe crops of teachers. How can
the requisite number be supplied A Xba
mode is simple, if tbe Legislature wrill re
spond to the promptings of a liberal spirit.
We have several denominational Coledges
in Georgia founded by private enterprise.
Why should not the Legislature endow
an Agricultural Professorship, in one of eacn
denomination,, upon the condition, that it
will educate gratuitously, a specified number
of young men in each Congressional District,
to he selected as the Legislature may direct
who shall pledge themselves to teach a given
number of years, after their graduation, in
the District from which they were selected ?
This will rapidly supply’ educated teachers,na
tive born, and ’sympathising with Southern
interests.and institutions.
As an nd ‘itional means of obtaining native
teachers, let tho State educate, at iier own
expense, in the State Universty, one young
nian , from eacli county of tho State, to be
chosen by tho I inferior court thereof, and to
be pledged to teach a given number of,,years,
in the county from which bo shall have been
chosen. This will Very soon supply the de
ficiency, and render us independent of those
itinerant adventures from other States, who
aic too often hostile to our peculiar institu
tions. „ ~~~~~
But onr ncccessities do not stop hero. We
need a University proper. Such, its founders
designed our Statu Colego to be ; and the
Constitution, ns I have shown, has made it
obligatory on the General Assembly to ear
ly that design into effect. When young
inen'havo been graduated, whither can they
resort, jf they desire to pursue a course of
study, in the advanced sciences? Finding
“no suitable institutions, for such purposes,
at home, they are-compelled to go abroad, or
to abandon their high and laudable aspira
tions. The consequence is, that, most of nur
educated men, greatly to the detriment of the
Commonwealth, plunge into politics, as the
only path to distinction, or permit their culti
vated powers to rust in inglorious case.
That this, or some other scheme, for the
object indicated, should bo adopted, is obvi
ous to all who reflect upon the, educational
wants of the State*.. Indeed attempts demon
strate tlie hold which the subject has upon the
public mind. It seems, however, that they
have all been baffled by the idea, that the
pecuniary means cannot be. furnished. But
this difficulty will vanish from the mind, if
the resources and increasing wealth ot
tlio State be duly estimated. Asa Gcnr
gain I am proud to believe whatever she dare
atleiup tlio object be worthy of her renown,
and within tbe competency of patriotic en-
Toucliing our. Federal relations, the Ex
cutive-is in possessession cf no information,
that does not meet the eye of every close ob
server of passing events. We have no indi
cation of any abate ment of abolition hostili
ty to the institution of southern slavery.
The signs of tlio times forebode the same
excitements for the future, which lias disturb
ed tlio harmony of the Union, for the last
twenty-five - years. Reckoning Delaware,
which we may safctly do, as virtually a non
slavebolding State the equlibrium between
the North aiid the South, in the Senate of
of tlio United States, is already perrnantly
destroyed. This inequality will be increased
by the accession of the many new States to
be formed, in quick succession, from the
public domain. Wlwit then is tho future,
security of tbe South ? It is scarcely to
be hoped for, in the Constitutional guaranties
which the Sonth lias a right to claim, fur
the Frco Soil sentiment, already in the as
cendency, and totally regardless of Consti
tutional obligations, will be still more po
tent and madened into more intolerable in
solence, by the consciousness of power’
It is, therefore, a painful truth that, in the
present aspect of affairs, our surest ground
ofisecurity is to be found a political organiza
tion, who, for the sake of the Union* will re
spect our rights. Sucli an organization now
exists. It is composed of tho South and a
largo portion.of the people of the
who, whilst a majority of t liem differ from us
on the abstract question of slavery, yet co
operate witli us, in the inaintaitig onr rights.
So long as it can be preserve it* ascendency,
we may expect security. IlUt how fickle
and unstable is such reliance! llow humil
iating. to feel that tho C? nst| tution, in its
purity, has ceased to be the bulwark of our
safety! It ia lroping almost againut hope,
to expect such an organization to'stand
against the growing strength of Abolition fana
ticism. Oar fricuas in the non-slaveholding
States are anunuaPy becoming’ weaker, ana,
in view of the large number of non slave
holding States which must be carved out of
the territories, they must inevitably fall, at
last, and Rave the South, in a majority,
fight her own battles. . Who can say how
soon these events may not be precipitated
upon us? Fanaticism, like the tide* of the.
Ocean, riever rcst; but, unlike the tides of
the Ocean, it never ebbs. It will roll on to
triumph, unless it be baffled by a united
Sooth, resolved to preserve her die
in the struggle. Let such unanimity be
encouraged and promoted. As for Georgia
she has taken her position. We will plead
the Constitution, as long as there is hope ;
we will co-operate with our Northern friends
a* long as, by such organisation, we pre
serve our rights ; we will cling to the Union,
as it shall shelter us from aggression. But
if all these fail, and .we bo compelled to
choose between dishonor, and the alternative
of the “ Georgia Platform,” we will face the
storm, with the unflinching firmness of the
martyr’s courage.
In closing this communication, and retire
ing from the Executive office, 1 avail, my
of the occasion to express my unfeigned
gratitude for tlio confidence reposed ow me
by the people of Georgia. ’That I may
have comitted frrors.l readlv admit; but con
scious of having endeavored to discharge my
duties faithfuly, I cheerfully commit any ad
ministration” to the verdict of impartial his
tory., and earnestly invoke Heaven’s richest
blessing upon my native State.
HERSCIIEL V% JOHNSON.
Gov, Brown's Inaugural Address,
St not or a and Representatives .-
! In obedience to the popular will of our bc
! loved State, I appear beforeyop for the pur
pose qf entering upon tlife discharge of tbe
| duties of the Executive office. It is a pecu
liarity of onr form of government that no one
can claim-io rule by hereditary right. And
! it is its chief excellence that the people alone
I are sovereign, while the highest officer in the
j State is bnt their agent to carry iuto effect
their will. In the race for honor and prefer
ment, all are alike eligiblo; industry, integri
ty, virtue and. ability being the principal,
[qualifications looked to by an enlightened
public opinion. The generous and intelli-
I gent peogle of Georgia Wave entrusted to you
i and me, tbe management of their most im-
I portent public affairs for tho next two years.
In entering togetlmg upon the execution of
! this important and indicate trust, you will
1 pardon mo for reminding you of the necessity
of calm and dignified deliberation, wise and
.just counsels,together with united and frater
nal feelings, forgetting, for the time, party
strifes and party prejudices,and looking alone
• to the advancement of our great public inter
ests. And I most earnestly invoke your mji
■j ted support in my efforts to execute the law, j
| advance the interest, niantain the dignity and
! vindicate the honor of our great and grow
, ing State.- Great is the extent of her terito
ry, the fertility of her soil, the variety of her
■ products, her mineral wealth, her internal
improvements,her commercial,mannfacturiiig,
mcchanicle, and agricultural interests;’ but
above all in the energy', intcligenco.and pa
triotism of her people.
By tbe tintiriug energy and enterprise of
our citizens, those sections of our State most
remote from each other, arc being fast uni
| tecTliy rail-roads and telegraphs ; while space
! is being almost annihilated, and the” people of
j the seaboard and tbe mountains are becom- j
j ing neighbors as well as fellow-citizens,
j. Without disparaging private effort or pri- j
vato energy, tho Western & Atlantic Rail
road, built by the State, may with propriety
j be said to be tlio proudest monument of Geor
|gia enterprise. liy its construction she has
| taken into her own bands the key to tlieuioiiur
j tains, and has unlocked to our Atlantic const’
j the rich frcstires of the great West. The
j benefits to Georgia from the construction of
! the Road have been immense and-are contin
ually increaseing;while to the Cherokee sec- j
tion they’ are almost beyond calculation. By’
the enterprise of her citizens, and tire assis
tancc ofithe Road, Cherokee lms, in a few ]
years, converted from a wild uncultiva
ted region, into one of tlio most interesting
: and prosperous sections of our State, The
1 result does lionoG’fo the far-seeing states
manship of those who planned this noble’
: work. The example is worthy of imitation,
I aiid in my judgement the Legislature taking ]
| care that tlie-Stato is amply secured, beyond \
j the possibility of a doubt, should not hesitate
ito extend that aid, which is necessary for
the developement of other sections. As an
example,what Georgian would not feel proud
to see our beautiful commercial emporium
connected by mil-road with our South VVes-i
tern border and-tlieGulf of Mexico; there- ]
by developing the great sea-port and South- |
Western portion of our State; and causing
much which is now a wildernesft to bloom like !
tine rose, and to teem with the rich products
pf the fertile soil of this beautiful and interes
(tirtg section.
’ But in the development, of the resources
of our State, we must not forget the develop
ment'of the mind. The perpetuity and pros
perity of our beloved institutions depend
upon tbq virtue and intcligence of onr people.
And it will be a proud day for Georgia when
her Colleges shall have been more liberally 1
endowed and patronized ; and when she shall
have established a common scTfool system
and provided the means for the education of
jjvcry son and daughter in the State.
Many a little bright-eyed boy r , the inmate
of the humblest dwelling, from one extreme
portion of our Stato to the other, endowed
with all tlio noble qualities, of bead and
heart, necessary to make him an ortAi
] ment of the age in which lie lives, is grow
ing up without the moans of a common edu
cation, and without promise qf future useful
ness. Afford him the means of an education
j and he may one day step forward the must
! gallant leader of our armies in the field.
I I must not overlook another subject which
is regarded by onr people as one of vital
importance. I refer to tbe question of the
proper disposition to bo made of the Wes
tern Atlantic]Rail-road.j Whether it should
-remaiu the ‘property of tlio State, and be
managed under tho- direction of the Execu
tive ; or We tnken out of the hands of tbe
Executive, and managed by a board of Com
missioners ; or whether the State should lease
it-lq a Company, for a term of years, or sell
the whole, or a part of it ? are questions up
]on which our wisest and best men do not
j agree; and are in my opinion, proper for
[ your calm and careful consideration.
Should the Legislature pass a bill for the
sale of the Road after guarding the details of j
tbe contract af sala.so as to protect the inter
eet tff the people, I gee nd wfficient reason 1
why it should not receive the Executive j
sanction. The points which I consider most j
material to be guarded, are the following ; |
Ist. That the -money received tor the
Road be protected from expenditure by has
ty improvident legislation. This could be
done by an alteration of the Constitution,
thereby declaring before the Road is sold,
what disposition shall be made of the money
in the event of a sale. Let the Constitution
provide that our public debt shall first be
paid out of the proceeds of the sale of the
Road, that a reasonable amount be next set
apart as a permanent common school fund for
the education of the children of the State,and
if their be a it bo‘used in devel
oping” such sections of the State as most need
assistance, or in such other way as prudence
and wisdom may dictate. In this way wo
place the jbuwark of the Constitution be
tween the money and the law making power,
thereby preventing extravagant appropria
tions, and place tbe balance of tbe money
which may hereafter arise from the sald'of the
Road after the payment of our debt,at inter
est for tbe education and benefit of our peo
ple for all time to come.
2d. Tbe Road ought not to be sacrificed or
gold for less than its full market value.
3d. Tbe question of freight should be so
guarded in tho contract of sale that the Road
could not be made an engine of oppression
upon the -people in future. I am aware
that competition will regulate freights as well
as trade, while there can be competition ; but
there can bo no controlling competition here
owing to the peculiar location of the Road ;
and the fact that the company purchasing
would doubtless require an obligation from
the State that she would not charter any
Road within such distance as to interfere
with their interest. Let the State in the con
tfact'Bf saleretaTh tfiS’ power to regulate tTi'e
freights, or compel the company to regulate
them by some just and reasonable standard.
Otherwise we shall have created in our
midst not only a powerful, but an irrespon
sible monopoly.
4th. That the preference in the purchase of
the stock be given to the people of Georgia
whose labor and money have built the Road
Let books be opened in every county in the
State on tbe same day. giving every citizen
an opportunity to purchase the stock, and
prohibiting any welthy capitalist from taking
more than a reasonable amount, to be fixed
by tbe Legislature, till all have had a fair
opportunity ,to subscribe. ’This gives the
man of means, to purchase but a sirgle share,
a fair clianco if be choo .es to do so.
In my judgement the stock of the Road in
the hands of a private company would be the
best paying stock in Georgia.
I thus conclude from tiie fact, that the in
crease in tire freights and travel of the lloa 1
and the consequent increases in its value
Vi thin the last few years have been immense
and must continue-to enlarge as the other
great Western Roads are built, connecting
our Road with the Ohio Stiver,, 4iid those
rich valleys of the West, IPf yet traversed
by Rail Road, as it lias lately bceiri connec
ted with the Missippi llivcr. And from the
furthur fact that our Road is the main trunk
connecting the great fey stem of Rail Roads
in Georgia, with the Roads in Tennessee,
Kentucky, and other portions of the West
If these ca'n do a paying business, 1 see no
good i%ason why the stock or a Road, which
connects them off, and ovei which much of
the travel and freight must pass, should not
piove to-be very valuable. Entertaining
these views I could not consent to see any
company of Northern or Foreign Capitalists
snatch so rich a prize out of onfpeople with
out first giving them an opportunity to; avail
then selves of its benefits. As tbe Represen
tative of the people, should yon after mature
deliberation deem it unwiseat present eith
er to sell or lease the Road, and yon also, re
fuse .to relieve the Executive of the responsi
bility ofi-i-fo’ management. I can only say
that I shall enter upon the discharge of the
unpleasant duties imposed, with a fixed de
termination to do all in my power to make it
a source of revenue to the State.; occasional
ly overlooking its affairs in person and hold
ing each () til cor under ray control to a strict
accountability for the faithful discharge of the
duties incumbent upon him.
And in view of the commercial crisis
which we have just entered, and which tin-ea
ten so much distress to our people I would
respeefully but earnestly. recommend the
passage of an act authorizing the application
of the net earnings of the Road for the
next t wo-ycars at least to the reduction of
the taxes of tho people, Except such parts
of the net earnings as may be necessary for
the payment of tbe sums anunlly due to cred
itors,on account of the present indebtedniss of
the Road. It is confidently believed that a
sufficient Rum Ought finis lie.realized notwith
standing the commercial pressure which will
much reduce tlic gross income of the Road,
greatly to lessen the taxes, and afford much
relief to the people, at a time when the pay
ment of the taxes would otherwise hear bev
ily upon them.
In the midst of a high state of commercial
prosperity', with abundant crops, and a bright
prospect for the future, the country is suden
ly shocked by an almost general bank sus
pension, causing distrust and depression in nil
our commercial affairs. It is to be scared that
much of the blame is properly attributed to
our Banking institutions, for having in a wild
spirit of.speculation, extended their paper cir
culation beyond the limits authorized byjjur
legislature, and by the ♦sound principles of
Banking,which requireathem -promptly to re*
deem their circulation in specie, when preggn
ted. Jf.thi* be so with any of our Banks,
while they may be the cause of much public
calamity they are certainly not tho proper
object of public sympathy.
You gentlemen, are the representative* of
the people*, and it is for yau to consider what
constitutional remedy you may have it in
your power to apply. The fault lie* not with
you : it lies not with the honest masses of tbe
people. The disease to’the body politic may
bo said to bo almost a desperate one and,with
a view to future.it may be better to submit
for a time, to a desperate remedy in tho hope
that it may be a permanent one. Tho law,
as it now stands, has provided Abe penalty
fora bank suspension. The dyties of the
Executive are plain and simple. I shall not
shrink From the discharge of those duties.
I consider the law imperative. And on being
informed, npon such legal evidence as the
statute contemplates, that any chartered
Bank in Georgia suspend specie payment, I
shall order proceedings for the forfeiture of
its charter.’
In case of proceedings against the Bank,
the bill holders yould be nono the less secure
a the assets of the Bank would he placed in
the hands of a Receiver, and converted into
money, and applied in payment of the debt
lof the Bauk. This would do much to pro
tect tho'country in future against similar re
verses, caused by wild speculation, and over
issues by our banking institutions.
As regards our Federal relations, I need
only say, that the people of Georgia have
again indorsed and approved the groat prin
ciples of nonintervention Contained in the
Kansq|-Nebraska Bill; and I doubt not they
will continue to insist fli.it these principle* ,
be carried into practical operation in good
faith, without violation on the part of the
Federal Government, or any branch thereof,
j While our people will condemn no one un
heard, and while they will stand firmly by
those noble patriots in the Northern State*,,
who stand by those great fundamental prin
ciples, they will not withhold* their condem
nation from any one who wilfully disregard*
or violates tliem.
Georgia demands nnuglit bnt her constitu
tional right* and equality in the Union, and
while her sons have stout heifrts and strong
armes, Georgia will be content with nothing
less. Knowing no sorth, no South, uo East,
no West,*be will embrace with fraternal aff
ection nil who stand by the Constitution and
Union of our fathers. But she will bid proud
defiance to all who attempt to force upon her
the one without the*other.
In the Convention of 1850, while acknowl
edgeing tier veneration for the Constitution
and the Union under the’ most solem act of
a sovereign State, she lias laid down her plat
form containing her ultimatum, and ha* said
to the aggressions of Northern fanaticism tbna
Jar canst thou come, and no farther. By her
subsequent legislation she has provided the
means for carrying her firm resolves into ef
fect should the dread* alternative present it
self. And she hWinnde it the ‘duty of her
Executive to see that her stern .decrees are
faithfully executed. While lam unalterably
determined, should the day of her peril come
during the period for which she has confided
to mo the highest office in her gift, to main
tain her rights, and vindicate her honor at
any and eveny jiazard. Yet- I would moat -
humbly invoke that Almighty Being who
controls tbe destinies of men and of nations,
so to temper our National Councils with Wis
dom, Moderation and Justice,that our Equal
ity in'tlie Union may be maintained, and our
Constitutional Rights and privileges perpet
uated, and transmitted unimpaired to tbe
latest generation.
(Tjjc o®irc-srass
PETER E. LOVE, EDITOR.
TriOMASVII-l Ai:
- ■
Tucsduv, November tT. IML
f— — —— T 1
Dr. W. 11. HALL.
GIVKiS notice t<> liim friend",-that his arrange
ment” artistii'h, that tii* eomieetinn w ith the Wirc
(iraKH Reporter will in no wine interfere with tho
ifutie” ot hi” profreniiui.
TO COBBESPO!^ENTB.
The official papers published this week
compel us to postpone the publication of sev
eral communications. “Dark Hours” will
appear next week. Also Report of Demo
cratic Meeting in Berrien.
SENATOB TOOMBS AND JUDGE LUMPKIN.
We perceive that Mr. Toombs has been
re-elected to the United States Senate, and
that Judge Lumpkin lias been retained on
our State Supreme Court Bench. These
.tilings are as they should be. Mr. Toombs’
-reputation as an orator and statesman i not
limited to his own State, or evenlTtp the Uni
ted States, and Georgia but honors hersalf
in honoring him.
’The people generally, perhaps cannot ••
well appreciate it, but the lawyers and judg
es of the State, fully understand and appre
ciate the importance of continuing Judge
Lumpkin in his present position. The Dem
ocratic party have not only shown their lib
erality and justice, by this act, but their good
sense also.
00V. WALKER OF ‘KANSAS.
This distinguished individual mads a fool
of himself at Topeka, but in charity to him,
we thought it possible that tbe exigencies of
the occasion might have forced him to say
1 what he did, or that lie might have been
inisreportod, or misrepresented, or that he
might liuve been drunk, and the explanation
that he attempted to*fivake afterward*, ijrent
far to strengthen our convictions. But lie
has stuck out the cloven foot too far, and too
plainly now, and we are fully satisfied that
lie wont do at all.
We like Mr. Buchanan very much, and
hope that* wc shall have no occasion to fall
out with biin, but one thing is certain, and
that ia, if Walker is retained much longer as
Governor of Kansas, thd fervency of tho
lovo -of hi* friends will not bo very greatly
increased.
’ MUBBELL MEN IK FLOBIDA.
/ • “” ~f ■
We have received -letter informing m
that seven negro men,the property of Messrs.
Jonos and Ed. Broughton, employed on the
Alabaiqa &. l’easacola Railroad of Florida
have been decoyed away by negro theives.
It is believed that nn organized band of these
rascals arc at work between tbe Bnwanee
and Pensacola. Seethe “Reward” offered
by Mr. Edward Broughfon in another col
umn. r ; ‘ , -y ,