The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1850-12-23
TNAUGURAL ADDRESS.
OF THE SENATE,

Chief Magistracy of THE State, ! now ap-
rear before you, in obedience to long es-
tablished usage, to take the oath OF office
required by the Constitution, aud to de-
clare the course of policy by which | de-
sign to be controlled in my official rela-
tions. !
In the first place, howveer, Pwill avail
myself of this occasion to express to you,
as the representatives Of our common con-
stituents, my humble gratitude for the
high and honorable distinction conferred,
and the confidence reposed in me, proper
lyto discharge the duties Of the office.
Occupying this high place, which, from
the nature Of our institutions can be en-
loved by but few, / am, ] trust, fully sem
si6le that it has not been conferred to graft
: ify any selfish vanity, nor tc enable me to
indulge in any personal ambition, but In
order that its duties may be so discharged
as to promote the public welfare, and that
any influence arising from it may be oil
rected for the benefit of the entire people
AS have ever considered the con1-
dence and appreciation Of the people,
when they voluntarily spring from the acts
of a public servant, and are unsought by
servility, tobe the most acceptable reward
q public servant can attain, shall en-
deavor to discharge the duties Of this new
position with frankness, and with strict
regard to justice, in my official relations
with all; and cannot but hope that the
many imperfections Of my administration,
and the unintentional errors into which l
may be led, from want Of Judgment or
experience, will be viewed with the same
forbearance, treated with the same candor,
and excused by the same friendship have
30 often received in other responsible rela-
tions to the community, from the people OF
this State.
By the Constitution of Ohio, the Gov
ernor is, for wise purposes no doubt, Inn
tied as to any extensive patronage.
His powers are clearly defined by that
instrument, and they are but few. lie is,
nevertheless, the representative OF more
than two millions of people, whose foun-
dations of government are deeply laid in
their patriotism and affections. Having
advanced with rapid strides, our State is
now Aourishing in agricultural, CONNER
cial, and mechanical prosperity; her com
mon schools, and otherinstitutons OF learn
ing-her asylums for the unfortunate
her extensive public improvements, both
by State and private enterprise, are favor
tics with a large majority of her people.
The latter have opened new channels OF
intercommunication between distant sec
tons, afording an easy, cheap, and speedy
transit for our surplus products to an cas-
tern and southern market; and all these
objects should receive the fostering care
. of the government, and never be affected
by illiberal or hostile Legislation.
Under these surrounding circumstances
of prosperity, feel more than an ordinary
difidence, that even the limited functions
of the Office will not be exercised with that
wisdom which may be best calculated tc
promote the farther advancement and ele'
walton of the State, in that which may CON
tribute to her best interests and most per-
manent welfare. / shall, however, with ar
honest but with fearless independence
strive not to fall behind, but to keep pace
with the spirit of progress of this enlight
ened age in which we live, according tc
the best lights / am able to obtain.
Nor should any public functionary, MOI
the people themselves, in the performance
of their various obligations, become in
sensible to a high constitutional duty
which they owe to the government OF the
Union, and to other members Of the con
federacy, where there are, also, institu
tions to maintain and interests to protect
By strict regard to this duty all arr
safe, without it the most fearful antcipa
tons of evil arise.
The fourth section of the second arhcl'
of the Constitution of Ohio provides, tina
the Governor "shall, from time to time
give to the General Assembly information
of the state of the government, and re
commend to their consideration such mea
sures as he shall deem expedient."
Ny predecessor, in his annual message
has performed these duties. His positlo
has afforded him the opportunity of know
ing the political and financial condition
the government the moral condition, th
necessities and wants of the people.
| shall add but little to his suggestion
ON this occasion; and should anything in
portant hereafter occur to me, during yor
session, it will be made the subject Of
special communication.
It has been the remark Of age, wisdol
and experience, more extensive than min
= that the assembling Of the representative
of the people in their legislative capacit..
to consult for the welfare, and to devi'
the means necessary to advance the sec'
rity, the happiness and prosperity Of tho
whom they represent, is, at all times, i
teresting and important in thepolihcal hi
tory Of every State. The office of repr
sentative is one of dignity and respon'
bility It's upon the wisdom and integl
ty with which its obligations are perforr
ed, that the quiet and security, the hapl
ness and prosperity of an entire comm
nifty very essentially depend. Nor is
merely as a legislator, in his official chs
acter, that the representative Of the pc
pie may be heard and felt, for good or
ev;l throughout the length and breadth