Democratic banner., 1849-01-08
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
& OF
GOV. KING.
Senator's, RepYesenkdfiyes and

In obedience to the will of the freemer
Of Missouri, l have just given the Solemn
pledge prescribed by the Constitution, and
now enter upon the duties of the Guberna.
tofial Office. At such a moment | should
be unjust to my own feelings, were l not to
express, in a becoming manner, my graft
tude for the honorable distinction confer
red upon me by the voters of Missouri
To be the recipient of public favor, and to
be elevated by the sufrages of freemen to
SO distinguished an Office, is an honor at all
times most fatteriDg in its character.
In contemplating the ~verious duties, alike
arduous and responsible, now devolved up
on ME, | must acknowledge a conscious
want Of experience, and of that high order
of qualifications, requisite, not only for a
satisfactory discharge of those duties; but
even for a right comprehension of them in
all their complicated and multiform details.
l enter upon the duties of this important
trust, however, with a firm reliance on that
BEING, who, in all ages Of the world, haiti
inclined the hearts of men to virtuous ac-
tiOns, and strengthened their hands to meet
the responsibilities of their various posi-
tiOns; looking to HIM, to overrule all err
rOrs and give efficiency to all honest efforts
for the public good. shall confidently re-
ly, also, upon the General Assembly, for its
cooperation in the inception and consum-
nation of such measure as may be requir-
ed,to secure the prosperity and happiness
of the people. 1t has become a custom for
Executive officers, whhn entering upon the
discharge of their duties, to give an out
line of the principles BY which they WILDE
governed, in their official conduct. In
Deed strict regard for the right Of the
people to govern themselves, requires that
those principles should always be made
known in the canvass, so that the voters
may determine the policy of the State, and
decide BY what system of laws, public af-
fairs shall be administered. Happily, the
principles which | consider ought to be
faithfully observed, in the administration of
the Government, have been SO plainly laid
down by on, Republican fathers, that we
are required only to apply them faithfully
to existing circumstances.
The Federal Government, the operations
Of which affect largely the interests of this,
and every other State in the c~onfederacy,
will never, if confined within the limits
marked oct by the Constitution, cause the
least injury to any of the varied pursuits,
or rights Of the American people. 1t is e
government of strictly limited powers,
granted to it by the States, in their indie
pendent sovereign capacity. Its authori-
ty therefore, is not original, but delegated,
and extends only so far as the constitution
prescribes. The powers ceded to it are
expressly enumerated, and were bestowed
for the accomplishment of those purposes
which could not be effectually secured by
s"SA SSPo4oSO oShOn . SuC OIdbSSs Neral
is a government presented, and we are
relieved from looking farther for the sour
ces of its power, than to the Instrument
which is the basis of its existence. / ac-
knowledge the supremacy of this govern
nsnt, in all the powers given, or duties
e~nloinsd by the constitution, but will notl
assent 70 implied authority for any purpose,
however plausible. twas well understood
IN the Convention which framed the Fed-
erai Constitution, and by the States which
originally ratified it, that the exercise of
any authority, other than that mentioned,
would be . violation of the letter and spir.
4 Of the compact, and an unjust encroach-
'neIt upon the reserved rights of the VAR. {
ous members Of the c~onfederacy. It m.yIt
not be improper in consideration of receptlf
events, to state that one Of the partis. @into|s
which the people have been divided for If,
y years, claims for the Federal Govern
nent, constructive powers almost v%itboutlE
1nnsts thrn 1870 sslLlaka - IL .Sfa-f In