The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-01-25
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FRANCIS II. SKUNK,
GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA, DE.
LIvERrD JAN. 81, ls45.

VIII Oll1e FIttlntu W CHnry y lNdHld, 10
aive The solemn pledge p'escI bed by
The Constitution, andlo euter upon the
office of Governor.
When | contemplate the Interests Of
our Commonwealth, as an Independent
sovereignty, and as member of the
community of American states, The mul
,iplied relations over which it exetis a
supervising guardianship, aud the pecu-
Iiatly welghty obligations that pres.
upon it a, the pre'enl moment feel how
Impeifectly | am qualified TO discharge.
and even TO comprehend arght,lhe ar.
duous and complicated duties 10 which
/ have been called. TO Him who
watches over the destines of States as
well as men, aud whose favor is light
and strer gh, | look upwards with hum
BILE trust, that He will owe, rule any
errors and give efficiency 10 my honesl
efforts for the public good.
Happily the principles which should
regulJte the administration of The State
have been long since declared and estab.
lished by our republican fathers. They
are few and clear. That equal and ex-
act Justice should be administered 10 men
o! all parties in politics. and OF all per.
suasions IN religion that our public
faith should be kept sacred under all cir
cumstances-lhat freedom of religion
of suffrage, and Of the press, should be
held inviolale-,hal general education
is essential TO The preservation Of iber-
ly-lhat the seperate rights and powers
Of he executive, legislative and Judi
cial departments of the government
should be strictly maint,ned--thqt the
government should be faithfully, bu.
lrugslly administered, and to whom il
is entrusted held 10 frequent and slric'
accounlability-lhsl particular mischief.
should be corrected by general rather
than special laws--lhat the grant Of ex.
elusive privileges 10 sIme is repugnan
10 our whole system the intent OF which
is 10 make fiji IN The equal rights of all
hat men associated for gain should, il
common with others, be liable inGividu
ally for all their joint engagements
and that the obedience Of Inc public
gent TO the will Of his constituents i,
essential 10 right administration of the
government, aud TO lhe preservation o
!reedo n.
These are the leading principles by
which porpose 10 be guided in the
performance of my official duties. They
IRE all of Them primary truths sd .clin 2
he basis Of our government, and need
ng no better confirmation Of lhei
value than slo be found every where il
he history of our country.
Thus Tar the action Of our system ha
illustrated The capacity Of man for self
government, and has shown that, Ell
rus'ed with his own political desinit
and unincumbered by bad laws he ad
Hances stead ly in Knowledge and lru
lapplness. The doubts al first enter
tAInd of its adequacy TO meet al III
Contingencies which arise in the atari
lof nations, have been disspated by ex
lperience. The practical operation G
the governments oil The S sles aud O
he Union, in advancing The wellar
/, o. The inhabitants Of our extended an
'ill extending country, dcmonsrra,
heir utility. This is the resu, of ,hi
simple aud natural organization, founde
upon the assent of the people, by whic
heir sovereign will rules in their loca
fairs, is extended 10 The State govern
i men's, and by happy combinalo
5 gives direction 10 The government {
1l The Union. Their compt tency to go,
rn themselves is confirmed by III
peace, happiness and prosperity whic
heir government has secured TO III
citlzens Of these States, and is an sssu
ance that in their hands The welfaI
OF all will be, as ii has been, guarded an
advanced.
FeilO,O Citizens of The Senate an
House Of Representatives. 1t has rt
been my purpose 10 enter at this tim
apon The consideration of articuls
topics, which may more properly be r.
served for other communications. Ther
IS, however, ore u jecl Of such VII
interest 10 the honor aud well beir
# The commonwealth, as to Chal llenp
he very earliest expression of my view
y espeeling il. alIude, el course, TO II
condition of our public debt
If There is one distinguishing trait
character in our citizens, il is that
n living within their means, and honeSlI
i Ipayng their debts; aud if there is OF
certain result in The working Of our re