Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-01-25
GOVERNOR SUUNK'S
INAUGURAL ADDR ESS.


men of Pennsylvania, to give the solemn pledge |
prescribed by the Constitution, and to enter up
on the office of Governor
When | contemplate the interests Of our
Commonwealth, as an independent sovereignty, |
aud as member OF the community of American
States--thc multiplied relations over which it
cxer,s supervising guardianship, and the pccu
liary wcighty obligations that press upon it at
the present moment, | feel how imperfect | am
qualified to discharge and even to comprehend
Alright, the arduous and complicated duties to
which have been called. To Him who watch !
es over the destinios Of States, as well as men.
and whose favor is light and strength, look
upwards with humble trust, that he will over
rule 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
ard exact Justice should be administered to men
Of all parties in politics, and of all persuasions
in religion-that our public faith should be kept
sacred under all circumstanccs--that freedom
of religion, of suffrage, and of the press, should
be held inviolnte-that general education is es.
sential to the preservation OF llberty-,hat the
separate rights and powers of the Executive, e-
gislativc and judicial departments Of the Go
vernment, should be strictly maintained-that
the Government should be faithfully, bnt fru-
gally administered. and all to whom it is en-
trusted, held to frequent and strict accountable
ity--,hat particular mischiefs should be correc-
ted by general, rather than by special laws
that the grant of exclusive privileges to some,
is repugnant to our whole system, the intent of
which is to make firm the equal rights of all
that men associated for gain, should, in common
with others, be liable individually, for all their
Joint engagements, and that the obedience of
the public agent to the will of his constituents
is essential 20 a right administration Of the CO.
vernment, and to the preservation ofireedom
These are the leading principles by which |
propose to be guided in the performance of my
official duties They are all of them primary
truths, affecting the Sasis of our government ard
needing 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 illus
trated the capacity of man for selfgovernment
and has shown that entrusted with his own po
itica destinies, and unincumbered by bad laws
he advances steadily in knowledge and true
happiness. The doubts at first entertained of
its adequacy to meet all the contingencies which
arise in the affairs of nations have been dissipa-
ted by experience. The practical operation Of
the government of the States and of the Union,
IN advancing the welfare Of the inhabitants Of
our extended and still extending country, de-
monstrate their utility. This is the result OF
that simple and natural organization, founded
upon the assent Of the people. by which their
sovereign will rules in their local affairs is ex-
tended to the State governments, and by hap.
py combination gives direction to the govern.
ment of the Union. Their competency to 90
vern themselves is confirmed by the peace, hap.
piness and prosperity which their government
has secured Ia the citizens OF these States, and
is an assurance that in their hands the welfare
Of al! will be, it has been, guarded and ad
vanced.
Fei'ow-ciii:enS ot the Senate aud House o.
Representatives 1t has not been my purpos.
to enter at this time upon the consideration o
particular topics, which may more properly bt
reserved for other communications. There is
however, one subject Of such vital interest L
the honor and we'll being of the Commonwealth
as to challenge the very earliest expression c
my views respecting it. ! allude, of course
to the condition of our public debt.
there is one distinguishing trait of chnrac
ter in our citizens, it is that of living with
their means, and honestly paying their debts
aud il there is one certain result in the worl
ing of our representative system, it is, that III
character of the government is identical wit
that of the people. BY the application of til
truth, which is equally simple and certain, OF
duty under existing circumstances, is rcndere
as plain as it is obligatory. The credit OF OF
State must be redeemed We are urged
the performance Of this duty, not only by o.
fidelity as representatives, but also by the pri
ciples of sound morality, by our honest pride
Pennsylvanians, and by our obligations to Il
Union to maintain and elevate the nat ion
character
shall, Of course, not be understood in the
remarks, as expressing any opinion on the quo
tion of the immediate ability OF the State Tr'
sury to resume its payments of interest II
question is an extremely grave one in It's &C