The Wilmingtonian., 1824-01-29
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Governor Samuel PNyMter
,uten ofthe .Nennte. md


Gentlemen ojr the Hp,,se Of Representatives.,
After the solemn engagements wliich have
now made, cannot more pleasingly indulge my
feelings, than by expressing to my fellow citi-
liens my gratitude for the honour they have con-
Ifcrcd upon me by elccting me to the chief ma
lgistlacy of the state. This mark Of confidence
Imposes upon me double obligation to endea-
lvour to discharge the duties OF my station with
Fidelity, with zeal, and according to the very
best of my understanding ana judgment; But
earnest i, | may be not to disappont the hopes
of my constituents, am too sensible ofmy own
to suppose that shall be able to
proceed without some iberrance. Many servi
Ices to be performed will be new and untried,
and might be better done by more experienced
statesmen; many will depend upon information
to be obtained from others, in which cases may
be inadvertently led into cr.our; and, in many
instances, it will be difficult to reconcile con.
Gicting interests and opinions, and to explain to
others my own views; yet, as persuade myself
that my motives will be pure, and the public
good will be the pole-star of my administration,
I shall hope, gentlemen, with your powerful as
sistance, to satisfy the reasonable expectations
of those whose welfare to a certain extent, is
|entrusted to me.
\ As the measures which have been judged ex-
|pedient have been recommended to your con-
|slderatlon by my predecessor, ut the commence
lment Of the session, and as am so new IN once
there are not many sub bjccts ior me to propose,
(which have not been suggested by your own re
Elections or by the message OF the late chief ma
|gistrate. In making an examination INTO crimes
land punishments, the first section OF the ac'
lconcernng free negroes and free niulattocs, ser
flyants and slaves passed the 9Th February, 1916,
Twill deserve mature dcliberation. The pract
cal experience of the operation of that section
iustifies belief which is very common, that, IN
stead of lcsscning Offences the manner IN whlcf
.that law is executed, greatly increases them
, land | do not know that it could be executed
= with better effect A considerable expense !:
=, Incurred by the counties in prosecuting such OF
fcnders, without the slightest public advantage
of which am sensible In general, the expen
: ses are not reimbursed, and the subjects Oh tas
{ law feel no Inconvenience, cXcepta snort, teili
5 sporury restraint AS necessarily connected witt
sthe fclonics referred to, submit to your VISION
j.. the propriety of mitigating the punishment pre-
Iscribcd BIZ the ninth section of " An act tor the
y more effectual preventing and punlsh'ng the
leyil and wicked practices of horse-steailhS ano
e other offences and fcones committed within
G this government and rather, that II negro IS
$ the principal and white man the accessaiy, the
-Iforncr, in effect, will escape entirely, and the
latter BIZ cruelty and unduiy punished
You have been often addressed, gentlemen
on the subject of education; and N All govern
n mcnts, especially in republic, this is theme
elwhich perpetually demands the fostering care
land attention of those intrusted with the powers
of legislation. shall repeat nothing when mas
been pressed upon you. Your own wisaorr
must devise how this object shall be the most
conveniently and effectualy attained. 1t Is I'M
portant to the present and future generations,
'tIthat learning, particularly the art Of reading
j. writing, and knowledge Of arithmetic, shouic
be dihused as much as possible: but these ac
= Iquiremcnts should hold the second place IN ed
u Ilcation. The first and leading principle shoulc
To teach our youths order, obedience to the laws
"a preference of public to private interest a We
--,neration for our institutions, and the love love 9 2
{ country, A republican government demands
~ the whole power OF education. 1t should h'
begun in infancy and continued to years OF ma
y tulity. They should be taught by precept an'
example We are sensible how ;5 strong ga hoi, hoS
las,ipr thcv are. They are seldom eradicated
y and, when duly cherished, are never lost ifw
desire that this only fair experiment ~ r'puhl