Saturday morning visitor., 1849-01-06
"
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
GOV. KING.
&aaisrs, Representatives,
find EsilO.r Citizens

find Fsilow Citizens:
In obedience TO the will OF the freemen
of Missouri, have just given the solemn
pledge prescribed by the Constitution, and
now enter upon the duties ST The Guber-
natorial office. At such a moment,
should be unjust TO my own feelings, were
] not 10 express, in becoming manner,
my gratitude fnr the honorable distinction
conferred upon me by the voters of Mis-
s.uri. To be the recipient of public "a
ver, and 10 be elevated by the sutlrsges Of
frsemen io so distinguished an Office. is an
1honor a, all ,imes most flitering in its
charaeter.
In contemplating the various duties, a.
like srduons and responsible, now devolv-
sd upon me, | must acknowledge con-
acious want of experience, and Of that
high order Of qualifications. requisite not
only for satisfactory discharge Of those
duties; bds even for right comprehen-
zion of them in all their complicated and
mul,if.rions details. | enter upon the
discharge of the duties oF this important
trlsY,f however, with firm reliance OH
that BEiSo. who. in all ages of the world
hsih inclined the hearts OF men to yiriu-
Gus actions, and strengthened their hands
ia meet the possibilities of their vsri-
eus positions; looking TO HlN TO o,crrule
I'll errors and give efficiency 10 all honest
efforts for the public good. l ellall conti-
IDENTIFY rely, also, upon the General AS
sembly, for iis cooperation in the incep-
lion and consummaton OF such msas,;Jes
rs may be required, to secure the pros
periIy and happiness of the people.
Ii has become q custom for Executive
officers, when entering upon the discharge
Of their duties, 10 give an outline Of the
principles by Which they will be govern
ed in their official conduct. Indeed,
strict regard for the right Of the people
10 govern themselves, requires that those
principles should always be made known
in the canvass, so that the voters may de.
iermine the policy of the State, and de-
eide by what system Of laws public af-
fairs shall be administered. Happily, the
principles whivh consider ought to be
faithfully observed, in the administration
Of the Government, have been so plainly
laid down by our Republican fathers, that
ws are required only to apply them faith
fully under existing circumstances.
{ TIE Fedsrsl Government, The opera.
lions Of which affect largely the interests
Of this and every other State in the con-
teaeracy, win never, if confined within
the limits marked out by the Constitution,
cause the least injury to any of the varied
pursuits or rights of the American peo-
pie. Iii government Of strictly limit
ed powders, granted to il BY the States,
in their independent sovereign capacity.
lie authority, therefore, is not original,
but delegated, and extends only 80 far as
the constitution prescribes. The powers
csdsa 70 il are expressly enumerated, and
wsrs bestowed for the accomplishment Of
those purposes which could not be effect
gally secured by the separate action Of the
a tt.
States. Here then i. government pre-
ssnssd, and We are relieved from looking
farther for he sources Of lis power, than
q .hs inslIIhsnI which is the basis Of iis