PRESENTATION OF BOOKS.

On the motion of Mr. C. A. WICKLIFFE, the resolution adopted a few days since directing a copy of the journal and debates of the convention to be presented to delegates, officers, reporter, and chaplains, was so amended as to direct that additional copies be delivered to the reporter to the convention, for presentation to his

assistants.

PRESIDENT'S VALEDICTORY.

The PRESIDENT having resumed the chair, and the business of the convention having been accomplished he rose to deliver his valedictory adrdess, and spoke nearly as follows:

GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION:

I congratulate you upon the completion of your labors.

I also avail myself of this opportunity to return you my thanks for the kind manner in which you have given your assistance to the chair in preserving order, and the forbearance with which you have treated the waywardness of my temper upon sudden emergencies.

When I was elected to this situation, I was conscious how much I should require your indulgence. To you, then, I am deeply indebted for being enabled to get through the duties with so little difficulty to myself. And if, at any time during the period I have presided over you, there has appeared any thing harsh in my con duct, I beg to say, that it was not indicative of unkindness towards any one, and that I was in fluenced only by a desire to enforce the rules of order and decorum which are so essential to the progress of business. I hope every gentleman in this convention will be satisfied that I was in fluenced by no other motive.

selves; and this system of self-government works beautifully in its operations upon society, and divided into counties, and they have municipal is scarcely seen, or scarcely felt. The state is Powers for the government of their internal affairs. In these counties there are cities and towns, and they also have municipal regulations to govern, direct, and control their peculiar interests, while the executive and legislative departments control the matters appertaining to the state at large, and at the same time the judiand the rights of individuals as they arise unciary enforces the public justice of the country, der the constitution and the laws. In our constitution we instruct the executive and legisla tive departments in relation to the great and essential principles of liberty, which we tell them they shall not touch; we instruct the judiciary in regard to those great and essential principles, and to take care that neither the executive nor the legislative departments interfere with them to the prejudice of private right; and in the laws passed by the legislature and execu tive, we further instruct the judiciary in refer ence to all matters of contract and private right; and they will go forth with the warrant of the people to decide upon the public justice of the country, and the rights of private individuals.

In this scheme, the judiciary is the great executive branch of the government which brings the constitution and the laws in direct operation upon the people; and, for the preservation of the private rights of the citizen, it is essential that this body of magistracy should be learned, able, and upright men; and, I believe, the success of the scheme of an elective judiciary will depend essentially upon our being able to obtain such men.

I could have wished, personally, that we had provided adequate compensation in order that we might procure competent men to fill these offices. We have left these salaries to the legis lature; and in going back to the people with this constitution, it will be our duty to impress

I will take this occasion further to remark, that it has been my fortune to have taken part in the proceedings of twelve or thirteen sessions of the legislature of this state, and I have never seen so much order and decorum observed as I have witnessed in the deliberations of this con-upon them the necessity and importance of giv

vention.

I might say to this convention something in relation to the constitution itself, but I feel it would be scarcely necessary upon this occasion. I am glad, however, that in laying the foundations of this government, we have walked in the footsteps of those who preceded us, and laid them in justice, to the preservation of the lives, the liberties, and the property of the citizens. Having done this, all else in relation to the organization of the government is but a matter of expediency, to be tested by time.

ing sufficient salaries, in order that the best talents of the state may be brought into our tribunals, so that public justice shall be administered correctly, and the private rights of the citizen be properly cared for, and promptly decided. If adequate salaries should not be given, the poor man, with talents, will not be able to take these offices, and they will necessarily fall into the hands of a secondary order of men who have some property inherited, and who are not in possession of the requisite abilities for the dis charge of these high duties. It is essential in A representative democracy, like ours, is a government like ours, that due encouragement based upon the will of the people, and as all should be given to all the talents of every por cannot participate in the government, we select tion of the community, so that they may fill the the free white male inhabitants over the age of highest offices of government. twenty one years, and give them the rights of fore, to impress upon you that the success of this Í beg, theresuffrage. They elect our executive, they elect experiment of an elective judiciary will mainly our legislature, and now we have confided to depend upon giving the best compensation for them the election of all our judicial and minis-the best talent, thus calling the best men to fill terial officers. these situations.

The government being divided into three distinct sets of offices, the executive, the legisla- will be accepted by the people. I do not beI have no earthly doubt that this constitution tive, and the judicial, the officers who will fill lieve that the emancipationists, as a body, will these several departments will receive their ap- rise up and battle against the will of the people pointment from the hands of the people them-of Kentucky, expressed by this convention in

relation to that particular matter. They are in party. Every vote, so far as I have been able to a minority, and many of them are intelligent observe, has been the act of both parties, commen, and men of property, and standing. I doing up singly to the purpose of doing the will not believe they will be willing to agitate the of the people in relation to the fundamental law country again on that subject, and attempt to of the land; and if these two parties should create discord and dissatisfaction in the commu-unite as heartily and zealously in carrying this nity; but that, as good citizens and republicans, constitution into effect as this body have united they will bow to the will of the majority. in framing it, there can be no possible doubt about the result.

Gentlemen, we are about to separate. We shall, perhaps, never all meet again. If we should it will be a rare occurrence. When we return to our constituents, I have no doubt, we shall be received with kindness It has not unfrequently happened that concessions have been made, and the people will see the necessity of making concessions themselves. You have discharged your duties to the country zealously and impartially, and have entitled yourselves to the favor of your constituents.

Gentlemen, I hope on your return to your homes, you will find that your families have been graciously preserved during your absence by a kind providence, and that you will be long spared to be useful to them, and to your country in the various stations you may be called upon to fill; and that none of you may ever have reason to regret the part you have taken in framing this constitution.

CLOSING PRAYER.

The Rev. G. W. BRUSH, offered up the followwing prayer:

I do not believe that the office holders, as a body, will go against this constitution. Those of them who are men of talents and standing will consider that they have as fair a chance for office as any other individuals, and will not attempt to set up their individual interests against those of the great majority of the people. I doubt not that we will find that portion of them using their best influences to sustain this constitution. Those of them who have not high atjainments and influential friends will be able to do but little to resist the great popular will. For these reasons I fear nothing, either from the emancipationists or the office holders, in relation to the success of this constitution. There are some individuals who come to this question of selecting judges from the people with reluctance; and, twelve months ago, how many doubted on this subject who are with the movement now? And how many, who doubted up to the time of the assembling of this convention, will cease to doubt when this constitution has been presented to them; especially when they consider the immense majority of the people of Kentucky who are in favor of it, and have listened to the argument and experience that have ALMIGHTY GOD, our Heavenly Father; at the been had upon this subject? The volume of in-close of the labors of this convention, during telligence in the great mass of the people, is which Thou hast granted unto us so many blesgreater than the volume of intelligence that ex- sings, we desire to lift up our hands, our hearts, ists in any number of individuals you can se- and our tongues in a united expression of gratilect, in relation to the appointment of officers; tude and thanksgiving. Thou hast preserved the volume of integrity of purpose, in relation the lives and the health of the members of this to public right, is far greater in the districts, convention; and Thou hast given us peace, where the laws are to be applied, than in any quiet, harmony, and friendship. We are therebody of men we can select; and hence I believe fore greatly indebted to Thee; and we pray that that those who have doubted and hesitated will Thy blessing, may go with the labors of this come in and support this constitution, because convention to the people of the commonwealth, they will see the impossibility of rolling back and that this reorganization of the government the great tide of popular feeling that has been may be a blessing to us, and to our children afexhibited in favor of restoring these offices to ter us. Grant us now thy pardoning mercy the people, and I trust that this constitution wherein we may have acted amiss, that we may will be sustained by a large and overwhelming leave this place with the blessing of our God. Hear us in these our imperfect petitions; accept our humble acknowledgments, and, ultimately, through thy great mercy, bring each one of us to reign with Thee in everlasting life: and to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shall be eternal and everlasting praises; Amen,

vote.

I

We have every reason to believe that this constitution will be adopted. From this place have seen cast almost every vote that has been given in making this constitution. The people were not governed by party considerations, in selecting the delegates to this convention, and in this convention I have witnessed no vote in making this constitution that I could trace to

The PRESIDENT then proclaimed that this convention stands adjourned to the first Monday in June next.

INDEX TO DEBATES.

Absence, leave of 167, 178, 221, 245, 246, 279 | Apportionment and basis of representa-