Record Data
Transcription
Gubernatorial Inaugurals.
Two fresh Inaugurals came to us through the mails of yesterday,--one from TRUSTEN POLK, the new Governor of Missouri; the other form GOV. BISSELL of Illinois, who has taken his seat and the oath of office after a prodigious clamor in regard to his alleged ineligibility to office, he, however, denying that he ever challenged anybody to mortal combat.
GOV. BISSELL seeks to encourage immigration into Illinois. He says:
“In reflecting upon the various causes of our almost unparalleled prosperity as a State, we ought never to forget that a highly intelligent and industrious emigration has materially aided us in successfully developing the rich resources of our soil, and building up our cities and villages. The spirit of National and State Constitutions, and the wholesome laws enacted by the early sages of our history, extend to emigrants, after a residence of reasonable time amongst us, if not all, yet many, and, practically, the most important rights of full citizenship.”
The Governor says of Slavery:
“Up to the time of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise I had ever considered the existence of Slavery within the United States as an anomaly in our republican system, tolerated by a necessity springing form the actual presence of the institution among us when our Constitution was adopted.
The provisions in the Constitution for a Slave basis of representation, and for the reclamation of fugitives from labor, I had supposed, and still suppose, were admitted there upon that necessity. And that such were also the views of a vast majority of the American people both North and South, I had, until the introduction of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, never doubted.
But the introduction, progress and passage of that measure, together with the course of argument made to sustain it, forced me reluctantly to the conclusion that, if finally successful, Slavery is no longer to be considered or treated as anomalous in our system, but is rather, thenceforward, to be a leading and favorite element of society, to be politically recognized as such, and to which all else must bend and conform. This conclusion is strengthened not a little, by the subsequent administration of the measure, in the same hands which originated and matured it. Considering that we are an intelligent people, living in an enlightened age, and professing the peaceful doctrines of Christianity, and a love of liberty above all things earthly, it may well be doubted whether, when the world’s history shall have been written to its close, it will contain a more extraordinary page than that which shall record the history of Kansas in 1855 and 1856.”
GOV. POLK, of Missouri, is extremely Union-loving. The unfailing Democratic eulogy is expressed, as usual, and considerable space is bestowed upon the “patriotism of the great conservative masses of our true-hearted citizens.” The Railroad enterprises of the State are encouraged and an amendment to the Banking law is recommended.
