The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-26
i'''o19 Governor Bebb's. iaDs Y
INAUGURAL A DIR ESiS

Gentlemen of the Senate og i2eiea19 .2idi lai
bas and effhe Honse Of Representatives. oea
The past history and present condi-
tion of the State OF Ohio present inter-
esting subjects for the contemplation
and Instruction Of her Legislators and
statesmen. Half century has but just
elapsed since the victory of Wayne
over the Indians on the Maumee, and
the consequent treaty Of Greenyille
gave to the North Western Territory
peace, and to the tenants Of its rustic
abodes assurance Of safety.
This grea, central valley Of the west
was then in all its primeval grandeur; I;
,,s mountains, lakes, and gulf-its riv-
ers gliding over icataracts or meander-
ing over vast alluyial plains-its bound
less prairies and herds Of buffaloes--i.s
forests vailed in extent and variety,
and its great tribes Of aboriglnes, who
from time unknown, lad been the lords
ofFthis vast domain. The bold out
lines Of the scene remain unchanged
and Interchangeable. The mountains are
here, and HE lakes-the rivers still flow
in their channels, but the bufialo have
been hunted from the prairies and the
deer from the forest. Logan and fe-
cuamrssh are no more. Tie spirit Of
their race. is broken. Their children
have sulle enly retired beyond the "r'aih.
or OF Waters" ]" and buried the red scalp.
praknife IN the ashes Of despair. The
wells of the war dance, the eloquence
Of the council, and the incantatlons OF
the prophet, are. seen and heard nc
more, but, in their stead, halls oflegis
lation, courts Of justice and temples
cousecrated, to Christianity. The an
mails Of man present no example where
the striumphs Of civilization, in so sbr'e
q period, have been So brilliant ant
complete. " begsilaealos 4 qe''ea hsa1lSd
nOur owl State Of Ohio, embracing,
very favored pornon' Of this great val
lev. stands out before the eyes OF al
men, a wonder for her progress in pop
ula,ion, wealth and power; for her me
troopolls Of near a hundred thopsan'
souls, her agricultural and mechanics
productions. ,r her public works, her CO
lepees, asy lums, and scho OILS; and ne
population of two millions Of people
enioying more of the necessaries an
comforts of life, and enduring fewer
lis priyations, miseries and wants. tina
anv equal number of men in any age {
The world. 800 st,, NJ,
Compared with the great resource
OF the state, present and prospectiv..
even I've, her large debt Of nineteen mi
lions Of dollars IS seen, at glance,
be entirely under her control. Sh
owns eight hundred miles Of nayigab
canals, and is largely interested {
Twelve hundred miles Of M'Admize
roads, besidesher stocks in the chail
OF railroads which will ere long be cor
pleted from Lake Erie 10 the Ohio ri
,er. The valuation returned underh
new revenue law, shows that she h
over four hundred millions OF dolla
morih or ftaxable property. aas.ilss "a
-islAnd no man, born within the linn
OF tha State OF Ohio at the period Of 4
formation other constitution, who b
marked with r6liah affection and pri,
her every. step from that hour until d
oresent--no man whoihas ever be
out UPON her lakesand rivers, up a
down her beautiful valleys, over u
h,lIs@and Maine, in her mines. Wor