The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-01-31
From the Pennsylvania.
THE INAUGURATION.

the State debt are all that could be wished and
what was expected from the known character of
the new executive.
GOV. SHUNK'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FRIENDS AND FELLow-cITIzENs: ! appear
before you in obedience to the will of the freemen
of Pennsylvania, to give the solemn pledge pre-
scrbed by the constitution, and to enter upon the
office of governor. When contemplate the inter-
ests of our Commonwealth, as am Independent SOW
ereignty, and as member of the community of
American States; the multiplied relations over
which il exeTts supervising guardianship, and the
peculiarly weighty obligations that press upon at
the present moment. feel how imperfectly am
qualified to discharge, and even to comprehend
Alright, the a:duous and complicated duties to
which have been called. TIC Him who watches
over the deslines of States, as well as men, and
whose favor is light aud strength, look upwards
with humble trust that he will overrue my errors
and give efficiency to my honest efforts for the
public good.
Happily. the principles which should regulate
the administration of the State have been long since
declared and established by our republican fathers
They are few and clear. That equal and exact
justice should be administered to Of all parties
in politics, and of all persuasons in religion
our public faith should be kept sacred under alb
circumstances-lhat freedom ofreligon, OF suffrage
and Of the press, should be held invioate-that
general education is essential to the preservation
of liberty that the separate rights and powers of
the executive, legislative, aud Judicial departments
of the government should be strictly maintained-
that The government should be faithfully but
frugally administered, and all to whom il is ntrust-
ed held to frequent and strict accountability-that
particular mischefs should be corrected by gener-
al rather than special aws-that the grant OF ex-
elusive privileges to some is repugnant to our
whole system, the intent of which is to make firm
the equal rights of aIl-that associated for gain
should, in common with others, be liable individ-
ually for all their joint engagements, and that the
obedience Of the public agent to the will of his
constituents is essential to right administration OF
the government, and to the preservation OF Free
dom.
These are the leading principles by which pro-
pose to be guided in the performance OF my official
duties They all oftbem primary truths, affect
ing the basis Of our government, and need no better
confirmation of their value than is to be found every
where in the history of our country.
Thus far the action of our system has illustrated
the capacity Of man for sell government and has
shown that, intrusted with his own political desti.
MES, and unincumbered by bad laws, he advances
steadily in knowledge and true happiness The
doubti at first entertained of its adequacy 10 meet
all the contingencies which arise in the affairs of
nations, have been dissipated by experience. The
practical operation of the governments ofthe States
and of the Union, in advancing the welfare of the
inhabitants of our extended and still extending
country. demonstrate tler utility. This is the re-
suit of that simple and natural organization. found
ed upon the assent of the people, by which their
sovereign will rules in their local affairs lis xtend-
ed to the State governments, and by happy COM
binatIon gives direction to the government Of the
Union. Their competency to govern themselves
is confirmed by the peace. happiness, and prosper
ity which their government has secured to The cit
liens of these States, and is an assurance that in
their hands the welfare ofall will be, as it has been,
guarded and advanced.
Fello,c-c -citizens offhe Scnate
and House Of Representatives.:
1t has not been my purpose to enter at this time
upon the consideration of particular topics, which
may more properly be reserved for other commu-
ncations. There is, however, one subject of such
vital interest to the honor and well.being of the
Commonwealth, as to challenge the very earliest
expression of my views respecting it. allude, of
course, to the condition Of our public debt.
IF there is one distinguishing trait of character in
our citizens it Is that Of living within their means,
and honestly paying their debt; and il there is one
certain result in the working of our representative
system It is, that the character of the government
is identical with that of the people By the ap-
plication ofthis truth, which is equally simple and
certain, our duty under existing circumstances is
rendered as plain as it IS obligatory. The credit
of our State must be redeemed We are urged to
the performance of this duty not only by our fide-
ity as representatives, but also by the principles Of
sound morality, by our honest pride as Pennsylva-
mans, and by obligations to the Union to main
tain and elevate the national character.
shall, ofcourse. not be unde~tood in these re-.
marks, as expressing any opiron on the question
of the immediate ability zane State treasury to re-
sumo its payments of 'erest. This question Is an
extremelv crave e in its consequences not 10 The
.rsd,,r On, out 10 the future character of ~.
Co.. frequires, for its safe decision +. -
u, animation OF our fiscal condition, including
Z prospective income and liabilities. which I
nave not had the means of making The consider,
a'on OF this whole subject will be among The e,,I
resi- ana most interesting of my official duties .,d
'"a' nasien 10 submit to the legislature the y;sw.
% which it might conduct me. Meanwb;,.
IL of,h. s, sase myself 10 you-to the good peo-
~, a s'a,e' and to all its creditors-hat on my
'ar' nothing shall be left undone, within r.. 80.