The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-01-21
| N AU G u RAL A DID RESS
OF GOVERNOR WOOD.

Gentlemen Of the Senate
and of The House Of Representatives:
Tho will OF the People has, again, con
ferrsd upon me the Chief Magistracy OF
this State, and for this renewed expression
Of kindness and partiali,y. | now tender
the acknowled cement Of my humble graf
itudo, to each and every member OF this
General Assembly, as the proper channel
through which it may be conveyed to my
constituents.
If there is any thing, in this life, person.
al to myself, that | desire to retain, it is
the confidence OF my fellow citizens; and
amidst the unspeakable emotions Of my
bosom feel assurances that so long as
merted, il will not be withheld
shall enter on the duties which have
been assigned me, by the late election.
under the new Constitution. with no vain
belief that am equal to the occasion. but
with the hope confirmed, from what has
hitherto occurred, that | shall be literally
and zealously sustained, not only by the
constituted authorities. my associates in
labor, but by the people OF Ohio, without
party distinction. in every honest endeavor
to promote their true happiness and wei.
fare.
Having but few days since, communi-
Gated to the General Assembly, in tho an
nual message, my views on what was then
supposed would be the most important
subjects Of legislation, at the present ses-
sion. it can neither be expected nor de-
sired, that should again repeat what was,
at that time expressed.
On occasions like this, it has. especially
of late, become customary to speak of the
value Of the union OF these States. and OF
the necessity oil sustaining it, in the spirit
of the Constitution. 1t has occupied the
attention of the Executives of several OF
our sisters of the coniederacy. within the
last few weeks, and THAR communications.
both North and South OF Mason and Dix
on's line, breathe Il true spirit Of patriot
ism, by the expression Of the most loyal
attachment to the Union. This evinces a
much better state Of feeling than has hi;h.
erto existed.
1t is true. the terms Northern Fanatics
are occasionally employed, as if they were
known only in the North; but, | appre-
hsnd even this fault will, hereafter. disap-
pear, when the true history of some of our
Southern friends shall be fully read and
better understood.
But in her attachment TO the Union, and
in her unialtering determination TO support
it. Ohio permits no others to lead She
nerer knew disloyalty. She neither has,
nor will she. assemble in convention to
weaken that Union by means in pslpable
violation Of constitutional duty. II she
ieels herself aggrieved by the measures Of
Congress, or the acts Of otnsr States. I'm
the Union, she will seek redress, and not
out Of IT," 10 nulify constitutional obli-
cations is not favorite remedy with her
people.
The law known as the "Compromise, i"
which has caused so much ill.leeing. is
the act of the National Legislature; held
to be constitutional by the judicial tribu-
n ais. authorized to decide that question;
and if tho measure, itself, as one OF poll
cy, necessity or justice, were not worth
the parchment on which it was engrossod
the people Of Ohio, it is believed, willneve,
sully their integrity by its criminal viola.
ton. qiug.afsfo rH s'A M aot'
Under all the circumstances which sur.
round us. it should remain undiSturbed
and this fruitful source Of agitation and
excitement. be forever closed. lse alT
The time forthe agitation OF its repeal
has not, at all events, arrived; for the re
suits which will flow from it, for good OF
for evil, cannot have been fully tested, in
so short period Of tins. BY letting il