Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-12-13
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
OF THE
HON. STEPHEN HEMpSTEAD,
Governor elect, delirered bfore the Gen
eral assembly OF the State Of Ioua,
az Joint ConUenti0n assembled, ON
the 4th dag Of December. 1850.

Called TO the executive chair of the
State of Iowa by the free suffrages of
my fellow citizens, frank expression of
gratitude is due to them, for the distin-
guished honor which they have conferred
upon me, and of the leading principles
which will govern me in the discharge
of my official duties under the constiiu-
lion aud laws, with the assurance on my
part, that those duties shall be dischar-
ged to the best of my ability.
Knowing the fallblIity OF human nature,
let me claim that indulgence for unin,en-
tional errors which as reasonable men
We should extend towards each other
Elected by one of the great political par
ties of this State, cannot expect TO es-
cape censure from those who differ from
me in political sentiment, and rejoice
that we live under government where
every citizen has the righ, of freely dis
cussing the conduct Of public men, and
public measures. From this rule claim
no exemption, and ask nothing but JUS
tice.
The principles by which shall be
governed in the administration OF Your
affairs are distinctly marked out in the
constitution of this State, constitution
which in my judgement is eminen,ly
calculated to secure to us the enjoyment
Of life, liberty, equality, and the pursuit
of happiness, or in other words to secure
the great objects for which governments
should be established among men; and
the prosperity of the State from its or
ganization, TO the present time, is forci-
BILE commentary Of the justice and wis.,
dom of the policy thus adopted.
BY the restriction of State debts, the
prohibition of banking and of special
acts of incorporation, except for poliii-
cal or municipal purposes. we are secu-
red from many evils which exist in
older States where in consequence of
the establishment and continuance of
those institutions their governments have
become complicated, oppressive, and
subyersive of civil liberty.
With no banks among us 10 create dis
tress or panic by their failures, conlrac-
lions, and expansions, with but few cor
pora'ions except those formed under gen.
eral laws, our citizens relying on their
own industry and frugality are advancing
steadily to competence and wealth, show
ing to the world that bank indulgences,
paper money, and special privileges, are
unnecessary to secure 10 people happi-
ness and prosperity.
With soil oc great richness and pro-
climate salabrious and in.
and citizens possessing enter
prise and industry, we require nothing
more than what is secured by our con.
and let me say, if we desire a
OF that prosperity, the sta
oility of the State and the happiness Of
Dur citizens, it can only be accomplished
BY the enactment OF equal and expedient
avs, and not by those which are design
I'd TO build up and enrich few at The
expense of the many, or by giving one
lass OF citizens privileges not possessed
~ others. The leading principles of
republican government as understand
hem are "a perfect equality Of political
lights, strict construction of constitu.
ions, no monopolies, moderate legisla-
ion. revenue meeting the wants of the
,eople and no more, strict responsibility
i public officers, simplicity of the laws,
nd the least possible restraint upon the
mind, person, energy, and industry of
very man consistent with the rights of
lie fellow men,"