State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-01-05
GOVERNOR RITNER'S INAUGURAL
SPEECH.

gratitude LOT Tue nOnOr conferred, ana l1G
most unleigned dflidence of my ability TO
fulfil its various important duties in such
manner as may meet their just and reason
able expectations.
The office of Chief Magistrate of large
and growing community is, at all times, one
of much responsibility Most especially so
at the present juncture in Pennsylvania
Questions of great moment, many Of them
novel, and all intimately connected with
the feelings and interests Of the people, de-
naEa his care and attention.
Perhaps a selfish caution would on those
subjects, indicate silence as the safest course
for one Just entering OH the office of Chief
Magistrate. But he who assumes that
station is called to it, not for the purpose of
consulting his own convenience or his own
feelings, but the wishes and prosperity of
the whole community. 1t cannot be sup
posed that | have entered upon it without
having previously adopted certain leading
principles for the regulation of my EXecu
tive conduct. To an early knowledge of
them, my fellow citizens have an undoubt-
ed right.
And here, before entering upon questions
of more intimate interest to us, as citizens
of this State, would desire it distinctly to
be understood that possess a proper sense
of the importance of Pennsylvania, both as
a State, and as n member Of the great ma
tional family. While the rights and feel
ings of every part ofthe Union will be scru-
puIously respected and its perpeiuaiion and
honor cordially promoted, shall not con-
sent to sacrifice the interests of Pennsylva-
mia, TO propitiate power, or conclIiate favor
in any quarter, however high or inhuen-
tial.
Among subjects of State policy there is
one of most prominent interest The great
system of Internal Improvements, in which
we have been for years engaged, has en-
numbered the resources and Gcranged the
! finances Of the Commonwealth produced
new but as yet nearly untried channels tor
business, and springs to priva;e enterprise
and materially affected the occupations and
interests of the people. The cares ano du-
ties of those who administer theLegisla-
tive and Executive Departments @t the
Government, are in the sirpe proportion
increased. Sound policy sdeEands thai
operations which have unis shakGu the old
,.'-!cr Il >hiues nd that Public work;
which have cost so much, should as speed
! ilv as possible, be made to answer the grea
end for which they were originally design
ed-the public good. To accomplish it
the most vigorous measures and the mos
rigid economy are actually necessary, anc
will be enforced. Every eXertion will he
made to give energy and certainty to a sys
TEN which, as yet, has exhibited little more
than doubtful promise of utility commen
surate with the sacrifices made for its &C
colnplishment.
Il With the vast debt already contracted be
fore us, prudence would forbid the under
taking of any new, separate or indepeEden
work, until those now in operation aud il
progress, prove, by actual experience, II
he capable of sustaining themselves, ant
furnish evidence that they will in a reas
enable time, extinguisl their original cosI
, without resort to taxation. But where fur
: thcr extension of the public works is ne
cessary, to render those already made o
in progress, profitable and beneficial, econ
, omy and sound policy, a just regard to tn
: interests of the people, would requlr
such extension to be authorised and com
, pleted.
} Next in order TO the development AM
| care of the physical resources the com
e monwealth, though of vastly higher me
5 ment in ITSELF is the cultivation of its men
e tai energies. A system Of common schoc
= education has been recently commenced
e 1t will afford me sincere pleasure to co-oT
4 crate with the Legislature IN tie attempt
t give it real usefulness, by adapting 1t to til
wants and the feelings of the people.
The permanency Of Republic depend
on the virtue Of the people. Whilst the
=, are virtuous and intelligent the acts otthe
agents will be restrained, and directed
public good, which is the only lcgitlmaI
E object of all governments. Industry an
- economy in ali the transactions and condu'
. of individuals, are the principal promoter
of that independence OF character and {
that virtue, on which so far as human ageI
! cy avails, depends the existence of COY
- eminent, Republican not solely i'll nam
- but in reality. 1T is therefore the lnperi
y tive duty OF those in authority, TO Prote'
= the weak against the powerful, and TO io
- ter and encourage the laborlous, the lndu
4 trious, and the economical, III every cla
society. 70 the performance of this dul
pledge the cooperation of the EXecuIi'
branch Of the Government.
The maintenance of sound currency
- one of the most difficult but indispeEsab
n duties of those who administer the Cover
e ment in a community possessing such "
/, rious interests as that to which we belon
is Convenience, and that consideration n!On
d has caused the substitution ofpapur monC
n, for specie. The idea that paper mon'
ID was TO he made by specializing OH the Il
re convenience ola metallic curcncyi or III
III paper money was to be created, merely
ne enable Il few to realize large sums by III
" ming the act of its creation to their oN
~ account, never for moment entered Il
Is minds fihose who first adopted this us
G. full and valuable eXpedient Their ohje
was the obtainment ola representative pc
sessiug all the utility and value, withoutai