The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-12-11
INAUGURAL ADDRESS og
Hon. STEPHEN HEMpsTr,n

Goaefnpr ciert, delircrdteofe TIE Geoe,,1 =
w y ne SLATE Of lo.ra, IA joiat Cam, t"'"l'
sea5lea, on The III day al Deee,aber l@. .," as
Called to the executive chair of the Stat.
by the Tree suifrages ofmy fellow citi,s W Iowa,
expression of gratitude is due to them rs ~ tsni
guished honor which they have conterra, 'he disn.
and of the leading principles which win upon he,
10 the discharge q my Official duties under A. ne
tutloh ana laws Win ne assurance nv ns ,Ons'
those duties shall be discharged 10 IN ,p att that
ability. ocs' Of my
Know ing the fallahility of human r.,.
claim that Indulgence ior unntentonai error, 1 ne
as reasonable men We should extend t,wari ~ Which
err. Elected by one OF the great politic,i aeh oh.
this State. ! cannot expect TO esc,nn vi parties Of
those who differ from raa IN political sentim., lion
rejoice that we live under goyernine,, and
citizen has the right of freely diseussln, every
of public men, and public measures From NJ, coaduc
clam no exemption, and ask nothing In. ~; ..s rpe
The principles by which shall! b. , sna..
IN the administration q you affairs, are d ;,,as
y marked out m he Constitution Of this s,an
Constitution which IN my Judgment IS em;as,.a
y Calculates 10 SECURE 10 Us the enioymrn,.i
lite, liberty, equality. and The pnrsr,' e Ism q
ness, OF in other words, 10 secure Tho nap. napr
lects for which governments should 10 s s..at o.
ed among men; and the pros eriy ~ -. s
from its organization to the presea, ,ima oae
forcible commentary ofthe Justice and ~
cfthe policy thus adopted. "4 "'scon
By the restriction OF State debts ,ba 80,
ton OF banking and Of special ae1. ., ;,d mvHiO-
ton. except for political OF manieipa nu,no.
We are secured ION many evils ahieb s,I;..'
older States, where, IN Consequence a. ma ..,' !"
bilshnent and continuance OF those ins,;,..,s
theii governments have become eomn,ic,,ad
presslve, and snbversi4e of civil liberty w
With 10 banks among u. 10 create d i,,,.,
panic by their failures, eontraetons, and .x,.s
sions, with but few corporations exeen, h..
formed under general laws, our citizegs ,.laN e
OIL their own industry and trugali,v a,s ,d,sss
ing steadily 10 competence ami wealth. sbos..
to the world thai bank indulgences paper ror.s
and special privileges, are Unnecessary ID ..,,,,
TO people happiness and prosperity.
With soil OF great richness and rroder,i,.
ness, elm lie salnbrious and inyipor.,ns ,,l
citizens possessing enterprise and Industry y,
require nothing more than what is secured i, Ar,
Constitution: and lei me say, il We desire a con,
'lnnence Of that prosperity, The stability Of II.
State and The happiness OF our citizens. il ca, o..
" he accomplished BY the enactment, q eco,l
and eSpedient laws, and not By those which N
designed 10 build up and enrich lev a, III, y.
pense OF the many. or by giving one elias. ii et.
zens privileges not possessed BY Others tn.
leading principles Of republican so,ernu.s
as understand them, are "a perfect .oqaliy
political rights, strict construction Of cens;js.
lions, no monopoles. moderate Legislation
revenue meeting the wants Of the people. and 10
more, strict responsibility OF public olhcers.s sim.
pliclty oil The laws, and the least possible /.
stiaint aron,he mind, person, energy ami istus
try OF every man, consistent miih the risalsel
fellow men,
The brst form OF government that can be jegi.
ed is an abridgm-nt OF he natural flshs Q, 4.
citizen. aud the laws necessary fer the n nos.
OF such government are sntfc ieniig cemulr,.S
and bnfthensome without aiding 10 them tho.
designed 10 regulate the conduct Of persons -pss
mere questions OF morality, mhen saeh osrcs
can only be reached by Tie force oil public Grin.
ion, and that alone; yet such laws ale no, nni..
qarniiy placed upon The statute books, wher
they iemain without being enforced. OF exc.
csed, can only be carried into effect when and
where Temporary excitement prevails, and dea
frequently 10 crafty malice or revenge Il such
laws are necessary. they should be enforced AID
sustained; ii they cannot be enforced and sustain
ed, they are unnecessary and should ROT he En-
acted.
I, is made my du,y BY the Constitution, 10 &c,
that the laas are faithfully executed. Expst
ence shows US that in Iust proportion 10 ihsifob.
servance, is The peace and prosperity Of our sos.
ernmen'. This extends not only TO such llwsn
we believe 10 be right. but to all such as are law.
fully enacted uhtii they are repealed, declared
unconstitutional by tie judicial tribunals
While we have the ballot box and The eoTs,
whatever may be The private crinioh Of any cir
zen. OF class of citizens, upon such law, obedience
10 lis requirements is an unavoidable duty. %
far as ang responsibility may rest Oh me ! shan
neither hesitate 10 assume The one. Of exercise
the other, II necessary 10 ensure Their FFonHep
seryance: anI in thi- am satisfied that soaa
have the conntenance and support oil ny leieS
citizens. Nv hope and confidence hoSe,rH
that there will be no occasion when Il VIII W.
come necessary 10 assume or exercise Inc pOS''
thus given. -,
Fcannot donbt that prompt obedience, u ~
cases. and fair construction, according 70 10
purpose Intended, ofeyery Law, Whether Sas@
viii be yielded by every goel e'4a
50 far as our national laws are concerned va
bound further 10 such observance ty '"ol,
compact with The other States OF TINS uhioo, ".
no citizen who loves that Union Will 'leAe,s
laws, or permit others 10 do 50, II IN hts posu.
prevent il. II is that Union which gives Wv
American people rank AND power among wv
and naiions-it is that Union whch pf0o, s.,..
adjusts the difficulties between s..,
and defend, rs from the aggressions Of i0''sp
powers Without union, our indefshlt"s' -
liberty could not have been achieved; wIao@as
ion, and the observance Of the laws, lhe' ea''''
,r be maintained. wd
DESTROYS Of seeing continuance ahiurs IN
a republican government, IN TACT as We ..oA,
name, Ihave thus briefly given my vie"ss ,.ns
policy which should be pursued 10 see" .J,ra
results, having no other object than 70 % 'ieo,
or best interests, maintain the honor 90" n. 4
OF The State, and secure to every el'izeh
loyment of civil liberty.