Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-12-22
Inaus ural Address of 1t. GOV. Dun.
ming.

Previous TO entering upon the discharge of the di
ties OF the highly RESPONSE IDLE Office 10 which have
been elevated. by the partialty OF my fellow cti-
zens OF Indiana, permit me TO avail myself of this
occasion. tender to YOU their reprcs
and through YOU, 10 them. my very grateful
know dgInents for tns distinguished mara OF their
regard and confidence.
| Ds,rusinu my own Abilities sssume upon N.Y.
selft the discharge of the arduous and complicated
duties oil presiding officer OF this body with great
d itfidcnce.
The IMPOTENCE of a sy s,em of rules for the gov
ernment OF all deliberate assemblies. Is onceded
by thos who are conyersant with the proceedings
OF public bodies, whether convened for legislative
or other purposes. You convened IN a legs
lltive capacity. for the discharge of important du-
ties. You the guard ans of the interests OF the
people of sovereign State. Into your hands are
coli1cd important trus's-rusts no less III mag
nitud. than the protection OF the lives, liberty.
4 property and reputation OF your fellow citizens
! How important them that the rules adopted for
your government should be faithfully and impartial
" administer TO order that each OF YOU your
iIldiv dual and representative capacity may be pro-
tcctcd and above all that the rights guaranteed 10
YOUR constituents. under the Constitution and laws
may be properly preserved.
4 In tn. language of one OF the most d stnGuished
Speakers OF the British House OF Commons. the
adoption Of a system OF rules. and strict and itn-
partial administration OF them 'oPerafe check
and control on the actions of the majority. And
they IN mlnv Instances a shelter and pTotcc
ton 10 the lo:Iiv against the attempts OF power.
On the contrary. nothing tends more 10 throw
power into TIE hands Of administration. and
thos VINO act with tue majority. than neglect of.
or parture from. the rules OF proceeding. How
delicate then are the duties of presiding officer.
How important it is that he should closely scan his
own conduct. purify his motives, and watch
over and coatfol his own feelings. When view
the importance of the trusts conidcd unto nv
hands. cannot but entertain fearful apprehens ons
of INV nab Iity to tender universal satisfaction in
the discharge of the duties of the chair.
feel. however. much encouraged from the
lection that yon calledby the same voice that
has called me 10 my present suaton.-ihat YOU
invested with similar powers and dutjes,-that
! you rcsponsb BILE 10 the same great tribunal for
| the manner in whcll YOU discharge your respective
trusts; all of which circumstances concur in ere
ating mutually of interest and fellowship of
feeling towards each other and above all, feel
sured from personal acquaintance with many of
YOU. that whatever errors lmay commit in the Dis
charge OF the duties Of the Chair, Will not be
tributed to any improper motives, bat TO a want OF
Judgment; and that whilst YOU have the boldness 10
condemn, YOU Will have charity enough to forgive.
/ True, ii is not my duty TO enter mo the angry
and exciting ebates. TO engage in the intelloc c.
tuai struggles whch IN the very nature of things.
often spring up IN the Senate, from the supposed
conflicting interests of your respective constituent
cies. The station which am called places me
those angry feelings TO pres peace. and TO re-
store ord II wherever it has been violated. If /
can succeed in performing those important duties,
and in ertng yo.r confidence and esteem. my
ambition Will b. than gratficd.
. The freedom OF discuss on which is tolerated
under our republican form OF government. land
loce that such is the case) gives rise TO parties
entertaining djiicrcnt political views upon questions
Of State and National policy. 1t is not my object
upon this occasion 10 descant upon any OF those
lead ny questions: that is duty belonging to othe
and higher funct.onarcs of our Government. and
in part 10 a different legislative BODY: vet deem it
my duty say, that attribute my elevation to the
office fill, mainly to the advocacy of certain
system of principles, and | now publicly ayow my
intention OF strictly adhering those prime pies
should more of them be brought before
this body for expression ofopnon, and it should
become under the constitution my duty to give
voice in their settlement
Nevertheless am equally frank 10 declare from
this stand, that have never witnessed public
good resulting from a discussion in our Legislative
halls, of any of the great questions of national
policy upon which there is manifest difference OF
opinion between the two political parties of the
country, and my sincere prayer to HIM who rules
over the destnes of men and nations, IS. that the
fcH spirit of party NAV not be permitted 10 enter
within the walls of this Senate Chamber,--that i,
may not be suffered to mar the harmony of our
deliberations upon questions of State policy deeply
affecting the pecunarv Interests well the
honor of beloved State.
And may not indulge the hope that each of you
deeply iInbued with love of country. and lively
devotion the best Interests of constituents
will so direct your legislative exertons that wher
YOU return to the circle of your acquaintance anc
constituents, may each hear the welcome
plaudt .'well done. thou good and faithful servant
We are ass embed this dav under suspicious
circumstances. The dark cloud of political adj
versity. which has been for years past overhangng
lalo, apIro hor ord n
to wealth and prosperity has been measurably dis
spated.
BY the liberal and enlightened legislation of the
Congress of the United States the Representa-