The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1850-02-15
Gov. Burnett's Inaugural Address.

dOVs 0uLu6LtS b 4HduSuLdI AuuIeSS!
Gentlemen of the Senate and Assembly:
have been chosen by majority of my fel.
low -cizens of the State Of California to be-
her first Executive. For this proof of their
partiality and confidence | shall ever retain a
most grateful sense. To be chosen Chief Ma
gistrate of California at this period of her hsto-
ry, when the eyes of the whole world are turned
towards her, is high and distinguished hdnor
and ! shall do all in my power to merit this
distinction, By an ardent, sincere aad energetic
discharge of the weighty and responsible duties
incident tn the position occupy.
Nature, in her kindness aud benifcence: has
distinguished California by great and decided
natural advantages; and these great natural re-
sources will make her either a very great or a
very sordid and petty State. She can take
middle course. She will either be distinguished
among her sister States as one of the leading
stars of the Union, or she will sink into COM
paratve insigni6cance. She has many dangers
20 encounter, many perils to meet.
! In all those countries where rich and exteHs
sive mines of the precious metals have been
| heretofore discovered, the people have become
| indolent, careless and stupid. This enervatng
| influence operates silently, steadily and continu
ally and requires countervailing causes, or great
and continued energy Of character in people
to successfully resist it. How far this influence
may mould the character of the future popula-
ton of California, time alone can determine. Il
she should withstand and overcome this peril,
she will constitute bright exception to the fato
that has attended other States similarly situated.
But anticipate for her proud and happy des-
tiny. If she had only her geld mines her dam
ger wonld be imminent, but she has still greatet
and more commanding interests than this-in-
| terests that seldom or never enervate or stupliy
| people, but, on the contrary. tend in their very
nature to excite and nonrish their industry, en-
terprise and virtue. | mean her agricultural
and commercial advantages. While our IfIines
will supply US with ample capital, and our fine
agricultural lands will furnish us with proyi.
sions, our great and decided commercial faeili.
ties and position will give full and active EN-
ployment to the energies and enterprise OF our
people, and will prevent them from sinking into
that state of apathy and Indifference which cam
not exist in commercial and active community.
Our new State will soon take her equal sta
tion among the otlier States of the Union.
When admitted member Of that CREST sister,
hood, she will occupy an important position;
imposing upon her new and great responsible
ties. She can never forget what is due to her.
sell; much less can she forget what is due to the
whole Union. Her destiny will be united with
that of her sister States And she will then
form one of the links Of that brigh. chain which
binds together the happy millions o. the Ameri
can people
; How wide and extended ia our expanding
country. With only thirteen States and three
millions of inhabitants originally, we have
grown in the short space Of three quarters OF
century to be one of the greatest nations OF the
earth Win Federal Government, TO fnanags
! and control our external relations with the
7 world at large, and State Cove nments TO regu-
. late our internal and business relations with
each other, our system is peculiarly adapted for
5 extension over wide field, without the danger
of becoming unweldy and impracticable. We
have now more than twenty millions OF inha5t'
: tants and thirty States, with others knocking al
: the door of the Union for admittance. Our
States and cities line the Eastern coast of North
d America facing Europe and our country extends
across the entire continent to the shores OF The
0 Pacific, facing the millions of Asia. We have
;, commanding military and commercial positions
e on both oceans, and nothing can retard us ~ oa
+ onward march 10 greatness but oar own errors
|, and our own fotes.
California has her part to act m this grea'
D march OF improvement, and whether she act:
well her part or not, depends much upon her ear
n " legislation With the most ardent desire L
i do my duty fully and frankly toward our new
o and rising State, pledge you my most eordia
e cooperation in your efforts TO promote the hap
= piness Of California, and the Union For tn
z principles that will govern me in my admins
trasion Of the executive department Of the State
K beg leave TO refer you to my forthcoming mes
e sage.
! thank you, gentlemen. for the kindness AM
:, courtesy you have shown me, and hope tha
G your labors may rebound to your own honor an1
g the happiness Of yonr constituents. ATTEST
Is PETER III. BURNETT.