The New Hampshire Gazette

From the Vermont Journal.

Governor's Speech.

On the 8th inst. the General Assembly of the State convened at Newbury; and His Excellency Gov. TICHENOR, delivered the following

ADDRESS.

Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

In a state regulated in its expenditures by the strictest regimen of economy, the public approbation must be the principal reward of its Magistrates—that I have the honor of addressing you again, as your Chief Magistrate, evidences the confidence of the freemen for my past conduct, and urges to active and zealous pursuit of their best welfare.

The constitution of the state under which we are now assembled, is happily formed on the principles of freedom, and has for its object the interest of the great body of the people; To discover this interest, will be the subject of your deliberations; to preserve it, the result of your doings.

Upon the habits and opinions, the principles of the people, both civil and religious, republican governments solely depend; when the people are habituated to respect the Laws and their Magistrates, and aided by the impulses of Religion, are attached by political principles to their government, its administration will prosper, and the people be happy. But when they are habituated to view their government as prodigal or oppressive, to be over jealous of the character and conduct of their magistrates, and from bad principles are induced to vilify or obstruct its public acts, and meet no restraint from religious or moral considerations, the government hastens rapidly to ruin. It is then highly important that the General Assembly, as the political Fathers of the people, should endeavour, by all candid means, to direct the public sentiment.

To effect this, the Legislature must possess the confidence of the people. This, gentlemen you will continue to do, by enacting wise and beneficial laws—by providing for public expenditures, and enforcing proper economy in governmental expenses—by selecting men of abilities, worth and integrity, into office—by inculcating sound morals, and recommending a reverence for the great and salutary duties of Religion.

The institutions of religious worship, and the establishment of Colleges and Academies in this state will afford us much assistance.—While our youth are trained up in knowledge and virtue, and the people practice in assembling for the purposes of Religious Instruction and Devotion, we may rationally hope that good principles will prevail, and have their happy effect in all our personal and public proceedings.

The appointment to Civil Offices is a necessary part of the business, which the constitution assigns to the General Assembly, at their annual session; unfortunately for our country, this has become a matter of discord and party contention in some part of the Union,

It cannot be necessary, and it cannot be expedient, to make that which the constitution contemplates as a very serious and important duty, become a matter of party contention or private interest. By avoiding every thing which has the appearance of partiality, of intolerance and private interest, and by aiming to appoint those men who are the best fitted and qualified to discharge the public offices and services; we preserve to ourselves the approbation of our own minds, and give to our fellow citizens complete evidence that the principles of republicanism are not the principles of contention of intolerance, of individual interest, or of faction; but those of candor, of public utility, and national prosperity.

In the transaction and management of public business in general, a spirit of candor, temperance and prudence, is an essential requisite. No affairs of importance can ever be done to advantage, when the mind is agitated with intemperate passion, or inflamed by party purposes and pursuits. In a state, therefore, superior to such influences, it may be presumed that they will not be permitted now to prevail': but that wisdom, discretion and benevolence, will mark all the proceedings of the present session.

It is with much satisfaction I announce to you the prosperous state of our Finances. The Public Debt due on hard money Orders has been discharged---a small annual Tax will in future be fully adequate to meet the expenses of Government.

I cannot omit recommending to your particular attention, the state of our Militia. That brave and useful part of our fellow-citizens, upon whom the sure and immediate defence of our country depends, are greatly deficient in military equipments---the greater part are destitute of arms---the law on this subject has lain dormant---and six years experience has evidenced its inutility---the soldier has found it difficult, if not impracticable to comply with it, and the officers, sensible of this, have omitted to enforce it.

Whether it would be proper to purchase arms for their use, or by encouraging the manufactory of Arms in this State, and thereby afford the Militia an opportunity of equipping themselves, is worth your consideration; Field Artillery is of indispensable use in modern tactics---and in almost all our sister states, provided at the expense of government. Two field pieces to each brigade would not be expensive or burdensome in our present state of prosperity.

A tax of such a beneficial intent, would be cheerfully submitted to by all classes of people---they would feel a virtuous pride in cherishing that military zeal which has hitherto animated the militia of this state.

Surely the public treasure cannot be better expended than for national defence. Already, the brave, hardy militia of Vermont, have merited the patronage of their country, as highly as any soldiery in the Union.

A letter from the Governor of the state of Maryland, covering certain Resolutions of that State, as well as some other subjects of lesser import, will be communicated by a special message.

It is not barely to the limits of this state, that Our political duties are confined; they extend much farther, and have relation to the whole of the federal union. Happy in our own state by enjoying a republican form of government, it is another and important part of our political trust, that we are connected with the other free states of America, by a federal constitution, mutually guaranteeing to each other, and to the whole, protection and defence: our duty to the federal government, does not depend on names, persons or political distinctions—least of all, does it depend on having the other states uniting with us in the election of any particular person to be President of the United States--Whoever holds that important office, by constitutional appointment and authority, is justly entitled to all the respect and obedience which the constitution and laws have attached to the office-and that which in the federal system, is to be revered and obeyed, is not any particular name or opinion, but national and constitutional authority--there cannot, therefore, be a doubt, but that it is our duty to support the federal union, to obey the federal laws, and to do all in our power to support and preserve the best and fairest political production of the last century-the constitution and government of the United States.

As the increase of population, is one of the acknowledged criterions of the increasing prosperity of a people, I cannot refrain from congratulating you, upon the great and rapid increase of our citizens, since the last census. This will probably call for a new apportionment of Representatives from this State, to the Congress of the United States: and at the next annual session of this Assembly, it may be necessary to district the State anew; for the election of a requisite number of Representatives. At the present session it may be also expedient to repeal the Act directing the election of members for Congress, to be holden in the month of September next, and to adopt such measures as shall render an extraordinary session of the legislature for this purpose unnecessary.

I shall be ready to concur with you, gentlemen, in any measures of public utility--and humbly rely upon a superintending Providence, that all our honest endeavours for the public good, may be crowned with success.

ISAAC TICHENOR.