Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-12-12
,NAv,CIIRAL ADDRESS
OF THE
. .-ruuEN HE STEAD

u0w. STEPHEN HE MSTEA u.
ns,,rsor elect, delivered fore nc General Assrmoy
eftas state d lora. IN Jo'n .on's"'''H 0sS'"''"'
On the All day Of Deremoer' 's'o'
r.u.A /, The executive chair OF The |!
Stat. Of Iowa. BY the free sntir'ses OF my
f.iIow ci,izrn., a frank expression oil graf
;,.,I. j. due 10 them, Tor The distinguished
honor which they have conferred upon
- and 81 the leading principles wheh
vii govern me in the discharge of mv
a6cisl duties under the constitution and
hes. With the assurance on my part. that
,hs,e du,ie. shall be discharged to the
bs,t Of 10Y ability.
Yoowiig the ial.abilIy Of human ma
,are, let me claim tina, Indulgence for I'M
;hrniional errors which as reasonable
=. ~ should extend toward each other.
Elecled " one Of the great political par.
N, II this State, l cannot expec, to escape
eeo.ure from ,ho.e who differ from me in
Dorlic.l sentiment, and rej"ice that we
iys under government where every CT
nen has The right q. freely discussing the
ssaduct Of public men, and public meas
M. F,om thi. rule claim n" exemp.
i'm, and ask nothing but justice:
The principles by which shall hegov-
sned il The administration Of your atf'irs,
re distinctly marked out in the Cons,''u'
lion Of this State, y Constitution which ~
~ judgment is eminen,ly calculated I"
secure to us the enjoyment Of life, liberty
equality, and the pursuit Of happiness, "r
II ether words, 10 secure the great objects
fw which governments should be e>t"b-
lished among men and the prosperity oil
he State from its organization 10 the pre-
sent time, i. forcible commentary Of the
justice and wisdom Of the. policy thus
sdepted.
By the restriction Of State debts, the
prohibition Of banking and Of special acts
q incorporation, except for political or
municipal purposes, we are secured from
uany evils which exist in older States,
where, in. consequence Of the establish
uent and continuance Of those institutions,
der governments have become complica-
led, Oppressive, and subversive Of civil
liberty.
With no banks among MS TO create dis
tress or panic by their failures, co"trac-
tieas, and expansions, with but few cor.
pofalions except those formed under gen.
eral laws, our citizens relying on their
own industry and irngali'y are advancing
steadily 10 competence and wealth, show
Ing 10 the world that bank indulgences
paper money, and special privileges, are
unnecessary TO secure 10 people happ''
nss. and prosperity.
With soil Of great richness and pro
dacsiveness, a climate salaarions and IN
MIGRATING, and citiz.ns possessing enter
Prise and industry, we require no,hln!
aore than what is secured by our Con>''
luton and let me say, if we desire a con
tinusnce of that prosperity, the stability
The State and the happiness OF onr c''l
sens, it can on!y be accomplished 10y tn
enactment Of equal AMI expedient laws
anl MT by those which are de>i yned L
build M and enrich few at the expen>
ofihe many. or by giving one class OF cit
isen. privileges no, possessed by others
The leading principles OF republican
government. as l understand them, are .
perfect equality oil political rights, a strle
eonstruc,inn Of constitutions, no mon"p'
lies. moderate legislation, a revenue meet
Ing the wants Of the people, and no more
a'icl responsibility Of public officers, sim
piciiy Of the laws, and the least poss'hl
festrain, upon the mind, person., eners
and industry of every man. consi>tel
With The rights Of his fellow men,"
The hes; form oil government that ca
b devised, is an abriignen, Of the na'nr'
rights Of the citizen, and the laws n'ce,
sary for the purposes OF such governme'
are sufficiently complicated and bnr'he'
some without adding TO them those dc
signed 70 regulate the conduct Of person
upon mere questions OF morality, whe
such objects can only he reached 10y III
iofce Of public opinion, aud that alone
- such laws are no, unsreqaemly place
upon The statute books, where they r.
aaih wilhou, being enforced, or ii eXe'
sssd. can only be carried into effect whe
I'd where a temporary exci,emen, pre-
nils, and then frequently 10 crafty ma
no revenge. Ii such laws are nece'
~, they should be enforced and sn
siaed /; il they canno, be enforced and sn
tined, they are unnecessary and shou
= b enacted.
ltis made my duty by the cons,itu'io
hsssthst the laws are faithfully execute
Experience shows Us that in jus. propo
6sa 10 their observance, Is the peace al
!ss.psri,y Of our government. This e
.ads no. only 10 such laws as We belle
~ right, bnt 10 all such ~ are lawful
aadsd. until they are repealed, or d
safed unconstitutional by the judicial u
Naah. While we have the ballot bt
The courts, whatever may be the pr
- opinion Of any citizen, or class
asoas, upon such law, obedience 10 ]
lairtmsnts i IN unavoidable duty. !
Amy responsibility may rest on m
Fewer b entrusted, l shall neither he
Y assums the one, Or exercise 4
ss N necessary 10 ensure their prom