The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-01-25
INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
FRANCIS II. SKUNK.
GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA,
LIYERED IAN 2l. 1919

| appear before you in obedience 10 Chel
will oflhe Freemen Of Pennsylvania, TO
give The solemn pledge prescribed by
the Constitution, andlo enter upon the
olfice of Governor.
When | contemplate the interests OF
our Commonwealth, as an independent
sovereignty, and az member Of The
community Of American states, The muI
lpIied relations over which it exers
supervising guardianship, and the pecu-
IisrIy weighty obligations rha, pres,
upon it at The present momenll feel how
lmpeIiectly | am qualified TO discharge,
and even 10 comprehend arght,,he ar.
duous and complicated duties 10 which
| have been called TO Him who
watches over The deslnies of States as
we'll as men, and whose favor is light
and Strength, | look upwards with hum
BILE trust, that He will over-rule my
errors and give efficiency 10 my hoaesr
efforts for the public good.
Happily the principles which should
regulate the administration Of the State
have been long since declared and es,ab.
lished by our republican fathers. They
are few and clear. That equal and ex-
acl Justice should be administered 10 men
OF all parties in politics. and oG all per.
suasions in religion that our public
Iallh should be kept sacred under all cir
cumstances--lhat freedom of religion
Of suffrage, and Of The press, should b.
held inviolale--that general education
is essential 10 the preservation of liber.
|y-'hal the seperate rights and powers
Of The executive, legislative and Judi
cial departments of The government
ehould bo strictly muini.inod- that the
government should be faithfully, bu.
frugally administered, and TO whom i,
is entrusted held 10 frequent and strict
accounabiily---lha' particular mischief,
should be corrected by general rather
than special laws--'hat the grant of ex.
elusive privileges 10 s)me is repugnan
10 our whole system the intent Of which
is TO make fiji m The equal rights Of all
hat men associated for gain should, il
common with Others, be liable intividu
aly for all their joint engsgemenls-
md that the obedience Of lhe public
'gen, 20 the will Of his constituents is
-ssential 10 a right administration Of the
government, aud 10 The preservation OF
reedo II.
These ar are Js. he !es'd99g !s P'reaSSpsss By
performance ofmy official duties. They
IRE all of them primary truths affecting
he basis ol our government, and need.
ng no better confirmation of their
value than islo be found every where 10
ne history of our country.
Thus far the action Of our system has
illustrated The capacity Of man for self
government, and has shown that, en-
rus'ed with his own political desrnits
and unincumbered by bad laws he ad-
'ances steadily in knowledge and true
'appiness The doubts at first enter
t'nd OF I' adequacy to meet all til
ngencjes which arise n the edari,s
Of nations, have been dissipaled oy ex-
perence. The practical operation Of
the governments OF The SAFES and of
he Union, in advancing Ihe weIiart
Of The inhabitants Of our extended and
uIl extending country, demonstrate
heir utility. This is the result of that
simple and natural organization, founded
upon the assent of the people, by which
heir sovereign will rules in their Iocal
'falrs, is extended to The State govern.
menls, and by happy combination
gives direction 10 the government Of
The Union. Their comDrtcncy to gov.
srn themselves is confirmed by III,
peace, happiness and prosperity which
heir government has secured TO lA,
citizens of these States, aud is an assur
ance that in their bands lhe welfare
OF all will be, as it has been, guarded ana
advanced.
FeIl0w Citizens of the Senate and
House Of Representatives. 1t has ror
been my purpose 10 enter at this time
upon The consideration OF particular
iopIeS, which may more properly be re.
served for other communications. There
is, however, ore uIjecr of such via
interest 10 The honor and we'll being
Of The commonwealth, as 10 challenge
he very earliest expression Of my view>
respecting i. ! slIude, 2f course, TO the
condition Of our public debt
If there is one distinguishing trait Of
character in our citizens, it is thai Of
living within their means, and honestly |
paying their debts; and if there is on,
certain result in the wol king Of our rep.
resentaIives system, is, that The char