The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-12-16
GOV. FORD's INAUGURAL Address.
FeLlOtO Citizens II The Senate
and House Of Representatives.:

and House Of Representatives.:
Being about TO take upon myself the high trust
coniided to me by the people, duty and inclination
alike prompt me to express to you, this first OPP
portunity afforded me, my most grateful acknow
Judgments Tor their partiaity; and to assure you
that whatever of zeal and humble ability may
possess, shall be faithfully and honestly devoted to
their service, as the only means in my power, Of
requiting, IN some degree, the great honor OF the
public favor.
Indeed, so profound is my gratitude for the SUI
irages ofmy fellow citizens, that regret only my
limited means and poor capacity to serve them as
well and as much as could wish. The situation Of
the state presents field oflabor where every thing
is required to be done, and but little 70 do with.
Our young state, once standing SO proudly among
her sisters the union growing, populaiing, and
tourishng beyond all former precedent, has, by Ill
advised legislation, and by worse execution OF
laws bad in themselves been reduced, IN short
space of time, to condition notifying to our
love of country. 1t is not my design to cast CEN
sure upon the former government OF the stale
for, perhaps, if we had been the public servants
during that time of disastrous legislation, we might
have been possessed by the same phrenzy which
precipltated our predecessors, and, IN TACT, nearly
the whole people of this and many other states OF
the Union, upon that course Of policy which now
appears to us so eytyavagaat.
1t may, nevertheless, be useful TO enquire some
what into the causes which have contributed to
produce our present embarassmcnts, not with the
view to censure any one, but as Il guide to future
legislation Undoubtedly, our present great M
debtedncss is mainly attributable to the general
desire of sudden and unwarrantable gam. We
have not been satisfied with the slow but sure pro-
fits OF industry and lawful commerce. Specua-
ton, in every branch OF business, the order OF
the day, and every possible means was hastily and
grcedly adopted TO give an artificial value to pro-
perty. In accomplishing this object, as to the
manner and means, we surrendered our judgments
to the dictates of wild imsg lnaton. No scheme
was SO extravagant as not to appear plausible to
some. The most wild calculations were made OF
the advantages of system of internal improve
ments of the resources of the state to meet all ex-
penditures; and of our final ability to pay all IN
debtedness without taxation.
Mere possibilities appeared to be highly prooa-
ble and probabilities wore the livery OF certainty
ITSELF
These few leading causes of our present dill
culties are presented for attentive and sober con-
sidera'ion; so that in applying the remedy we
may avoid all former delusion. Indeed, we must
be thoroughly assured that if we are to render any
efficient service to our common constituents we
must take the course directly opposite, III many
particulars, to that which has been hitherto puf-
sued. We must go back to the dictates OF COM
mon sense and sober Judgment Inc DAYS o'
phrenzled and ingenious scheming are NUMBERED,
and our future measures whatever they may oe'
must be characterized by simplicity and oy com
mon sense, otherwise no manner OF success can VI
expected.
The manner in which the accounts OF the s.''e
have been kept. with reference to the internal l''
provement system, renders ii extremely dilicut 70
ascertain our true situation. The law heretofore
has not required an account Of the whole ihoeo'-
edness to be kept in any public oee az 'he sea-
of government. A part of the information neo.s-
sary to knowledge of our true condiuon, Is. "
obtained only at the canal office at lockPoi'' -
which thas not been convenient Tor me " nav
access, and another portion sattainaoie oh'y no"'
the various public agents engaged IN nesoua.hs
loans. have therefore, but little confidence 'ha'
the statement which make will be entirely cor
rect, though perhaps enough SO for present prac'i
cal purposes.
The whole amount Of the state deot' excluding
interest now due, may he put down at the sum OIL
SIS. 1874 II, which sum. from The best inior.
nation can oh,sin, appears 70 he cor'rH-sen 2
81 ',''cw' q lsons
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