The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-01-29
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
GOVERNOR WILLIAM BXCEEEe.

GOVERNOR WILLIAM BXCEEEe.
FELLOW CITIZENS The Providence Of God
has prospered our great Commonwealth. The
will of the people has called an humble citizen
70 the performance of the duties of her Chief
Executive Office In accordance with the requi-
sition thus made upon me, and in obedience to
the provisions of the Constitution, l appear be-
fore you to-day for the purpose of subscribing to
the oath of Office and assuming the duties. l
embrace this opportunity to express the profound
gratitude feel toward the people for this distin-
glished mark of their confidence.
In contemplating the high and delicate nature
q! the duties appertaining to this station-their
complex and difficult character the magnitude
Of the intesests involved in their faithful per-
tarmanee, am most solemnly impressed with
the responsibility they necessarily impose. The
Junior of all my predecessors in this high station
enter upon the discharge of its duties with the
utmost distrust Of my own qualifications for the
task. have, however, resolved TO devote my
best energies, my hopes and prayers to a faithful
discharge Of the obligation l have just taken,
and look to the people for that generous indul-
gence which has ever characterized their action
towards public servants who have honestly en-
dea7ored to perform their whole duty. The ef-
Qrts of man, at-best, are but feeble; all the aid
that his wisdom can bring to the accomplishment
ofany great purpose must fail, unless accompa-
r!ed and controlled by the guardian care Of Him
who gives direction TO all human affairs. On
His power and good pleasure all results must
depend. On Him we should rely in q spirit of
humility and Christian confidence
Our republican institutions are based upon
the axiom, that the people are the only rightful
source of power. Under these institutions, thus
founded, the will of the people reflected through
me oallot-boz, gives direction to public affairs.
through this medium the humblest citizen, not
less than the most distinguished, can stamp the
impress OF his viii upon the public policy of the
country. This feature of our Republican system
IS It's great distinguishing characteristic, and,
guided by the general intelligence and patriotism
q the people, the cause Of our success as a ma
a'n. The right of suffrage should, therefore,
'e held most sacred and inviolate, and its indie
pendent exercise enjoyed by every citizen. To
prepare the minds of the people for this high
1lst by general education, by the inculcatiou
"moral precepts and religious truth, should be
Neounted the noblest purpose of the Government
al that we are, and all that we can hope to be-
nation, is dependent upon this source OF
power The right of the citizen over property
lis personal liberty and security-the freedom
speech and liberty of the press-the free
~'sFaeon OF religious sentiment are alike sub
S''Nent to this great source Of human law.
~" important is it then that this great head
mould remain pure and independents When
-s fountain is pure, the stream emanating
'steiFom will be also pure" Then, by pro-
'-O''ng the moral and intellectual culture Of the
S'opIe-'he source and vitality of our govern
-'-our : laws will be made wise, our institu-
'-' 'e preserved pure, and our country remain
-'Ie' prosperous and happy.
nc experience Of the world seems to demon
.1's 'nat general intelligence and republican
must move together. The successful govern
~ 'he people is the government of intellect,
. oy virtue. A thorough education of
"a, !Ou'h Of our country viii, therefore, tend
IN. e 70 the security of our institutions and
,,b.- nahce of our national honor, than al
Iicl -. 'anS beside. Common school education,
art. attainment, knowledge Of the
rob-. ''iences, comprehension of Individual
~. anu The principles of the Christian rei-
can institute the very bulwark of our republi-
ofha h'nment The schemes and Vaccinations
be IL. '-Iagogue win fail harmless before peo-
TE thoroughly educated.
ba gefous tendencies of MONOPOLY. and
eoDr.a oD.upting influence of money, are met and
k,o-, ae'ed by the power and virtue Of this
nsnt Liberal expenditures by our govern
seg,,I., Tue purpose of education, may well be
hs ra 'u as rigid economy, and the pa, ments Of
aeyotioa iOf the support of this cause, as pure
in. u 70 republicanism 1t should be the
WAT 'i the parent and the government, and