The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-12-18
U ADDRESS,
Gentlemen Of The Senate
and House of Representatives:

The present is 10 me an hour Of serious thought
and feeling. In assuming the office to which the
State has called me, | cannot forbear TO express
the gratitude | feel for the confidence. she ropo-
sss in me; and which it shall be my study never
10 betray. Next TO the appreciation Of God |
prize the confidence of my fellow men.
| regret ihatI cannot bring to the discharge of
the high duties devolving upon me, better quail
fcations and ripper experience. am aware that
the excellent Constitution of Ohio, does not ac-
cord to her Chief Magistrate that power and pa
tronage, with which ii is usual for our republican
government to clothe the highest executive of.
flee, but, it is nevertheless apparent that the of
fee of Governor Of Ohio is one Of great respon-
sibihty. That ark which bears the Interests and
character of two millions Of feemen'is one ON
which no cOnsiderate man would rudely lay even
a thoughtless hand. My sense of responsibility,
however, is much l~ightened by he high estimate
/ entertain of the wisdom Of the Legislature.
You will pardon me if | give vent at this mo-
ment, TO a feeling of patriotic pride. Ohio has
been my home for the greater part of a long life,
now dLawing 10 a close. 1t has been my priv
lege to see the wilderness blossom as the rose,
and the solitude of the savage fill up with a po-
pulation of glad, industrious aud civilized men.
Other States have their advantages, but in any
Of them | feel a strangers; within our own beau
tltul borders lies the region of my choice, and
which | would exchange for no State on the con-
tinent, no island of the sea. With ii soil which
yields a rich harvest TO the reaper's hand; a eli
mate we'll adapted TO call forth the highest natu-
raj and mental energies of man; a wise and viz
tuous population; a Constitution formed on Just
ideas of human rights and wants, commercial,
political, of extraordinary importance, and unde-
veloped resources beyond competition, Ohio is
destined under the smiles of Providence, 10 see
40 superior in this great confederacy.
In no period of our history have we had grea-
ter cause for gratitude TO the Almighty than the
present, Our basket and store overiGows W tn
frait. Our hands are nerved with night. Our
feet find rest and our hearts repose in quiet habi.
tations. Our credit is respected at home and
abroad; political a~sperIties are softening, and
the whole population is cheeriully pursuing the
career of prosperity, education and virtue. lii
acknowledging the hand whence all our blessings
flow, | trust that my voice is in harmony with the
hearts of my countrymen. The great inquiry is,
how we can retain our rich inheritance?
The first and most important of all the pcliti-
cal measures of a republican government, is to
quicken, strengthen, and educate the youthful
public mind. Where the elective franchise is al
most universal, it is indispensable that the mass
of the people be instructed in moral and politi-
cal science.
On this point argument is unnecessary, since
AZ is Universally admitted that the perpetuily OF
our political institutions depends, under God,
upon the diffusion of sound educat0l. An unin-
formed people, with the best constitution, are as
unstable as the sea, and uttetly incapable Of fix
mgany safe and settled pod cy, but are designed
to be the dupes of the reckless and designing.
and after successful efforts at self,goveInment.
TO surrender their liberties.
The wise trainers of our excellent cons,itu.
ton, were careful TO lay, in that Instrument, the
basis Of a system Of public instruction; ard ev.
or since the organic llion Of the Stale govern.
mont, the Legislature has given more OF less at
tention to tbs %suOjec'.
Although | would propose no radical chqngc
in the present school law, yet,I humbly conceive
that experience has shown that it is not incapa
bic OF improvement; and submit to the ccns:d
Grafton of the Legislature, whether it ought not
at this time, to undergo revision; whether altera
tons are not demanded, TO elevate the character
of the school teacher; to secure such a uuitor
nifty of school books, as is compatible will
The progress Of improvement in the art of in
structIon; 10 widen the sphere @ tcommon schoo
education, SO that it may embrace, not only the
elements of that knowledge which is essential tc
the ordinary intercourse and business of the hum
blest walks Of civilized life, but. also, the lud.
ments Of moral and practical science; 10 provide
for a more strict accountability of directors. OK.
aminers, and all other officers acting under The
law; and for the appointment Of a general super
intendant of instruction.
ToIIeu;nto oduc,t;o, b,c %, " -
ing ON common school instruction. II is to the
college that we are TO look for the competent
teacher, the qualified examiner, the interested
director, and the quickening of that spirit which
demands cultivation of the common mind.
Influenced by views of this nature, General
Washington frequently urged upon Congress the
establishment of a National University; and that
body as frequently made munifcent eadowmonts
for State Universities. The Colleges at Athens
and Oxford, under our immediate control, arc
deserving your consideration. Although they
have been of inestimable service in fixing the
standard of collegiate education in our State,
and with furnishing us with many we'll educated
npd valuable citizens, yet, it is feared, that they
like other State institutions of the kind, have
not fulfilled the just expectations of the cummu.
nifty. 1t is highly desirable that the failure be
traced 10 its causes, and that such means as arc
within the power of the Legislature may be EN-
ployed TO render them efficient auxiliaries in the
work of improvement.
Professional education has received but little
attention from the State Government. The Me
dical college of Ohio may, however, be claimet
as a State institution; and il is worthy of its pa
rentage. 1t has, however, received no appropri
atoms of late, and has been SO prosperous as tc
Outgrow its buildings.
The faithful trustees TO whom its interests arr
committed, will, in due time, present its claims
which | commend to your favorable consideration