Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-01-28
INAUGURAL ADDREsS
OF ALEXR 6. MsNUTT, ESQ, GOV
ELECT,

IN kOANQ NAL AJIfkEoS :
OF ALEXR G. MsNUTE ESQ. GOV
ELECT,
Ofthe State Of Mississippi.
DeiiYesedm the Representative Hall, before
the Senate and House ofRepresenfatiyes
in convention assembled. and before
large body ofcstizcns.
FELLOW CITIZENS ~ ortunate IN having
received b large majority Of the votes Of the
people for the most dislng Office N their
gift, without having resofted to the usual mode
ofcanvassing for their SURFACES feel assured
/ that my official acts have met with their APP
probation. For this renewed manifestation Of
their mdulgent regard, tender them my pro-
found acknogledg and cordial thanks.
A reelection by Freemen watchfn Of the
conduct Of their public servants and jealous Of
Entertainments on their rights, Is the highest
evidence of their favor and the sweetest solace
8 public office can receive. 1t has fallen to my
lot to be placed at the helm Of State at most
trying crisis. When came into Office two 1
years ego. great calamity had befallen the i
country the people were laboFing under en-
barassments cries of distress were heard in /
every direction many looked to the General /
Government for relief ,0thers sought to Obtain
it by Tesortmg to increase of Banks forgetting
that their creation and improvident manage
nent had been the prolific source Of all our
troubles. Failing to receive the cooperation of
the last Legislature. IN the passage Of lawscal-
culated as ! conscientiously believed to bring
d about an Improvement in our currency and to
: alleviate the pressure of the times, / could
e only interpose to prevent the enactment of laws
tending to fasten the existing evils upon US.
/ A crisis has taken place in our affairs. It is
IF evident that temporary measures Of financial
r relief are no longer available In entering
on the important and difficult duties am about
i to assume, / am cheered with the hope, that
d ere my term expires, the clouds that overhang
IL the State, viii have passed away; that the
,r products Of our fertile soil will have relieved
e, the distress of the country and all our citizens
a.. be convinced that their welfare depends main
S, ly upon their own exertions.
nd Our National Government was formed for
u specific purposes, and its powers are clearly
nd defined IN the Constitution. The experience
e- of fifty years have fully demonstrated that It's
of constant tendency is to consolidation. tire
nix quires the unceasing vigilance Of the States tc
keep it within proper bounds. When weshould
e- at altimes be prompt in resisting the encroach-
IN ments of the General Government on State
nd Sovereignty we should cautiously abstain from
lc the exercise of powers prohibited to the States
he by the Federal compact
IN One of the chief objects OF the States in for
lev ming the Union, was 10 guard against the in
do sufferable evils of a deprecated paper curren
VS., cy. The power to charter a National Bank
yer and to grant corporate privileges, was aske'
in for and denied by the Convention that forme'
hts the Constitution. That instrument expressl
the provides that no State shall coin money, emf
bills Of credit or make any thing but gold an
k1f1a
ers Itmay therefore well be questioned, whethe
ex- we have a right to vestin corporations pow
ers er we are forbidden to exercise ourselves.
,er- frequent recurrence to fundamental principle
the is necessary to preserve our complex systel
re- inits purify. Temperance proves it to be d
fective, we should rather seek to change It
ate the manner prescribed, than to attempt to e.
ace ercise doubtful powers on the uncertain an
vful hazardous grounds of construction and exped
anv ency. The States are competent to their oW
nav protection and we should rely less on the &c
J of eral Government, and more On ourselves f
ex- the regulation ofour internal affairs. We al
I'M fully able to make all needful improvement
r in and to restore to the people the advantages
God a sound and stable currency.
pa This may emphatically be called the age
monopolies. Many suppose that no busine
.sfs can newell conducted, no pursuit made prot
e'e9
IL ciated wealth. It becomes us to examine Il
u.u tendency of the system, and If It be found o.
MS posed to equal rights and equal privileges. d.
J OF structive to the morals, and injurious to Il
not trade the country--it must be abandoned Z
bill. together.
On Ourciminal code has recently undergone
-. entire change. A new system has been ado
~ ted and its practical operation remains to
lnS tested. More humane in its provisions tn
the former, it seeks to secure society from az
the oflawless violence, without taking the life
offenders, except for the high critaes ofmurd
two and arson. All my efforts will be used toe:
tive nv out the new system, and to give It !;
"a trial Ii viii be my constant ann to take ca
lleu that the laws be faithfully executed and JUST
4tn admins tered without denial or delay
The promotion of science, the advanceme
tied of literature, and the establishment Off
son. schools, are objects dear to my heart I
9 development of the resources ofthe State, I
Improvement of the various rivers, and {
prosecution of iudicious system of Inter-
li1ss Improvements will not be overlooked.
unceasinu efforts viii bedevoted to the resto
ton of sound currency, and to the re.esta
lishment ofour credit at home and abroad.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House Of Rep
e /. seatofires:
Sen. am reioiced to moet Legislature fre
from the people, possessed OF an intimate Q
- quaintafce with their wants, and assscmbl
.ns here. pledged to redress their grievances.
5 49, Having on recent occasion given you
lssS' views and opinions relative to State policy
seIs deemit unnecessary to say any thing furtl
on the present occasion. In the fervent hG
the that the supreme Ruler of the Universe n
sech guide our connsels, and that your deliberate
hich may rebound 70 the lasting advantage Of
M whole State, tender you my ccdial co-Ope
curt sll1s = a. - = ss = s's s''
TT. With full knowledge Of the difficulties
race the the times and firm determination to p
llca- form my duties fearlessly am now prepared
be- enter upon the discharge of the arduous q
aim. responsible Office Of Chief Magistrate of I
Mutt people.