The Arkansas banner., 1844-11-13
GOV. DREW'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
GeufIcmen 0f 1Ie-S -SeHafp

Gentlemen 0f lie Seaate
 and of t1c Hoase of Representatives.
 Custom, long established, and sanctioned by the example of my predecessors, requires of me brief exposition of my Views of the character of our governmental institutions, and the general principles which should ob- tain, in adapting them to the wants of the people, so as to subserye the wise purposes, and attain the just and benefcent ends, for which they were established.
 To this requirement, yield cheerful ac- quiescence; being in the service of the peo- pie, and entertaining no opinion, calculated to affect their interests, that deem 1t proper or desirable to conceal.
 The system of government, under which we live, is peculiar one-pecuIar, alike, in Its benign influences upon the character and condition of associated man, and in the source, the organic arrangement, and the practical application of its powers. Ongina- ting in that most iIlustrious Of all efas in the destiny of men-the American Revolution ard based upon the sacred and immutable truth that ''all men are created equal, il has been ''the pillar of cloud by day, and of fire by night'-the shield and spear of the Amer iean people and, bearing them riumphantly through scenes of unparalleled trial and dan l ger, has. lH iittle more than hall q cehturv. enabled them to become one of the most inn- 1 portant and certainly the fteestand most pros l porous, Nation in the world. This glorious result has been attained by securing to@erv man. equally, the freedom ofeonscience and of speech, the uHmoested enjoyment of the fruits of his industry, and an Hnrestraiaed voice and unfettesed hand in making all laws. which may affect his life, libery or prope,ty- in word, by making man free, and all free men equal
 I'his general view of our government pre- sents it's peeuliafifY in very striking and at- tractive light; satisfying, equally, the states man and the philanthropist that, while no other government. of past or present time, has been really like t in character all others have fallen infinitely short of it. both in the purpose and means of promoting human hap piness. For. although fondness for anti qnarian research. and the genius of specula- ton, have, occasionally, traced back simili- tude to some of the ancient republics, and even claimed them as models of our own : vet careful examination, and fair estimate of their features, have proven all other gov emments, at whatever period they may have existed, or by whatever name they may have been known, to have differed from ours, in regard 10. at least. one all-important-vital principle. In all of them, distinctions among n-castes-orders- in society, and political inequality. were recognized and es- tabshed whereas. with us, He cda1Uu Of men is the fundamental truth. and indispensa- blo conservative principle. Thus, in the peo- | pie we find, and from them. as from the pr- mary source. we derive all political power.
 II m the features have mentioned, the pe- culiartv of our government is so obvious and important, 1t is none the less so in, what have denominated, the organic arrangement of its powers. In contemplating this. the complex or double character of the system is the first to arrest attention, as al once, and alone sufficiently distinguishing it from eve- " other. And while the stranger. or unin- formed, is impressed, by it, with the idea of incongrutv, and the apprehension of a con- f1ict of incompatible powers; to him who has studied the philosophy of the system. and Is familiar with is operation. nothing can be more simply beautiful in all its parts, more harmonious in the adaptation and adjustment of those parts to each other, or more efficient and successful in the performance of all its functions. This double character of organi- zatlon involves a conservative principle. sec ond in importance only to the one already noticed. And this principle consists in the distribution of power. not merely amono the coordinate departments of single govern ment' but, Tn addition, among q series of poy- ernmcnts. each a sovereign State, and com petent to the administration of it's own do- mestic affairs; and vet, all bound together in one general government, by the strong ties of fraterna union. for the management of for eign relations, and for the common defence and general welfare The distribution of power, here described, is provided for. and its limits prescribed. in the organic law. or constitution, of each in the series incIu- ming, alike, the general and State governments The State constitutions provide. in the main. only for immediate State interests; transcend- ing this limit. only so far as is necessary to secure the Union. Whereas, the constitution of the general government. with a wider scope, and more general terms. emitting all that IS properly domestic to each State, takes cognIzance and care of those interests which are common 10 all the States, but which nei- ther one' alone, IS able to protect and pre- serve, and confers the power to establish. for us, proper relations with the other Nations of the earth. These several constitutions are written; and they define and limit the powers ol Retrospective governments This is parti- cularly the case with the constitution of the general governmenfs and for sound and ob- vious reasons. Indeed, the State govern ments may exercise power, byinherent right, eXcept wherein fhey are Corhiddn,, h.. 4L <