Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-01-07
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

and the House Of Representatives.
In your presence and in the presence of this
cation OF free citizens, have taken upon the OBJ
legations of the oath required ofthe Chief Executive
officer by the constitution of Michigan
Under the happy system of representative go vern-
ment Offices of power and trust are the brthright of
none.
No ancient charter establishes in advance the sue
cession of rulers; no imperial decree, no military
provinces, no diplomatic arrangement designate the
individuals who are to be clothed with authority
Under our system the private citizens listens to the
voice of his fellows, and while it is yet sounding
his ear the duties and responsibles of official station
are resting upon him. Selected by their votes, he
Is from their number, and receives the chart of
his authority from their hands. Thus called
by the suages of his ellowst well that he should
enter upon the responsibilities of his office with the
constitution of the State and of the union in his hand
and on his lips, the promise by solemn appeal to
Heaven to support their provisions and faithfully to
perform the duties of the Office assumed.
The high responsibilities and duties of the office
of Chief Executive Magistrate of our State, take
upon me with much dffidence, land distrus of my
powers and qualifications. Honesty of purpose and
an anxious desire to promote the public goods,
promise, for these wi thin my own command, but
the result with which they shall be attended, is hid
den in the future.
The history of our young republic, numbering G.
scarcely ten years of existence as state,
has been crowded with questions of difficulty and
embarrassment. They attended upon her first organ
ization and for time strayed the hand that should
have written her name on the list of states compo
sing the American Union. They attended upon her
early legislation and taxed the wisdom of all the de-
partments of government in adopting and putting in
to operation a system which should secure the best
interests of thespeople.
1t is to be denied that the early Legislation of
the State partook in some degree, did almost ev
cry other state in the Union Of the speculative and
extravagant spirit of the times But altho the his
tory of the PAST we which the light of
experience we may now think might have been avc-
died. We it is evident that Commonwealth has been
blessed with general prosperity land that her progress
has been onward and upward.
The embarrassment which have grown out of the
early legislation to which have alluded still howev
en- presents many subjects of difficulty and perplexity
which will acquire the careful attention of both the e
gislatve and executive departments of government.
The present State Indebtedness is a matter deeply
involving interests and reputation. The utmost
wisdom will be required to prevent oppressive taxa
ton for its discharge, the disgrace of reputation
With the meansln our power, and the benefits OF
general prosperity which has blessed enterprise,
md the consequent increase of wealth among cit
liens. Michigan will never consent that farthing
other honest debt should remain unpaid. The profits
AZ oft bo Sfat bav boor
lied on as a means for iqudating this Indebtedness
The net proceeds as yet however promise little
assistance for the purpose. sale of the works to
aid in the design, has been proposed, and the action
of the Legislature that subject will be anxiousIy
expected. The revision of the statutes, which will
be presented for definite action at the present session
open the investigation of every object of gene
raj legislation The interests OF the State involved
in the charge the public property in the care and
disposition of the works of internal Improvement in
the proper and most efficient organization of the ju
dietary, in the management of the University and
school funds in disseminating the benefit of univer
sal education, in guarding, protecting and preserving
every right of every individual citizen and throwing
over the whole body potic the protection and bless
inc of equal laws and free government. These are
among tne long catalogue VI ouDcCtS IndI await
your consideration But upon these subjects, it will
be my duty to communicate with you in another
form.
1t will be my pleasure at all times, to operate
with you, in such action your wisdom shall die
tate by which the public interest may be secured and
promoted.
Deeply sensible of the arduous duties and respon-
sbilities which devolve the Executive, | shrink
from the trust which am here to assume. l can
bring to the task neither superior wisdom nor great
political experience. / can bring nothing but firm
dissemination devote myself for the public service
az with such feeble powers as may possess,to en-
dcavor to that the republic receives no detri-
ment,
Called as have been to this elevated station, by
the votes of large majority of my fellow-citizens
without solicitation on my part-nay, even in oppo-
sition to my own wishes, l enter upon the perfor-
nance of its duties, unembarrassed by obligation to
any faction or interest, separate from the general
good of the public. claim no exemption from err
ror neither do expect to escape the detraction of
censure. Committing any motives to the just ap-
probation ofmy citizens, invoke the super
intending goodness of Provdenenceso to direct every
effort as to preserve our republic and to promote its