Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-12-17


/ upon me by those who represent every shade OF
poiifticsl opinion within its limits, the gift is in
vested with additional causes for pride and graf
ifcation. Lshall, therefore, regard It is part OF
nv duty, to represent aud cultivate these siarmo:
nioss sentiments; aud trust, that by uniting with
tia desire to discharge urrightly and zealously,
he dt,ties. which will soon devolve upon ne, to
retainsyoag' confidence, and that Of the people
whom you represent.
L deem ii proper upon the threshold Of office,
to state in brief and general terms, the views
which will hereafter govern my official conduct
Our constitution contidcS but limited por-
tion. of the active power Of government to its
chief executive officer. Besides the general su-
perintendcnce demanded Of him, the supervision
Of the institutions OF education, and the command
and inspection of militia, his most responsible
duty is the discreet exercise Of his ntcrpositon,
in tempering any undue rigor in the enforce
ment Of the penal law.
It. is scarcely necessary to advert to the im
portance Of proper attention to tEose iGstitu
tions which the State has established for the im-
provement Of education shall regard it as one
Of my most pleasing functions, to do my part in
the discharge of this, our common duty. And
If can contribute in any degree, to raise the
standard, or extend the benefits Of these wise
establishments, shall regard myself as richly
rewarded for the most anxious efforts.
a proper attention to the organization of the
Militia is also an indispensable part Of my pub
lie duty; and if we cannot expect to render our
citizen-soldcry equal to those trained in the Sc
we're school Of military life, we may yet do most
important service in keeping up such q system,
as will at once remind our countrymen that they
may one day have to take their place in the field,
and will keep US acquainted with the resources
Of the State.
The Constitution requires Of me TO take care
that the laws be executed in mercy; and to this
end clothes me with the power Of pardon and
reprieve In my view, this by no means per
mits me to indulge my own feelings in the gene
raj administration of justice The expedicncy of
any law is exclusively question for the Legis-
lature. The correctness Of the conviction must
rest with the tribunals Of the country. In un-
dertaking, therefore, to arrest the course of the
law, the responsibility Of interposing remains en-
tirelv with myself 1t is only in those rare in
stances, in which, consistently. with the efficiency
of the general law, and without impairing its
sanction, a pardon may be extended, that this
power ought, as [ conceive, to be exercised; and
to these will Istrictly corfne myself.
For two years, gentlemen, the authority is
delegated to us, to administer the affairs of this
commonwealth 1t is noble trust, and one
which is attended with the grayest responsible
ties Possessing myself, neither the rare gift of
great abilities, nor large political experience
shall rely with confidence upon that prudence,
WISDOM and patriotism, which have always char
acterized your respective bodies. We live in a
period of our history, free from cabal and faction
at home; aud rare blessed with institutions hon
ored for their antiquity, and made sacred by the
approval of generations of wise and good men.
Except those gradual modification Of law, which
time and change Of circumstances always render
necessary, your action, by every dictate of wis
dom, should be Of character purely conserra-
tive.
Happily for us, we live under constitution,
in which every local interest is blended and har
monized by judcious adjustment; and whilst
it allows to every citizen the largest liberty COM
patible with order and gives all due effect to
popular conviction; it also affords an adequate
to the refinement, intelligence,
and property Of the country. lfto these advan-
tages, YOU add a cher standard of popular edit
cation, SO as to extend proper encouragement to
those liberal pursuits, which elevate the national
character; and 10 apply science to Agriculture
and the useful Arts, and as consequence, d.
versily the industry Of the country; and ulti-
matey take measures for the increase of your
commerce, by opening to your markets those
great valleys of the west, which at no distant
day, are destined by their trade, to make whole
continents rich You will then live under Il gov
ernment which you may proudly compare, either
in character, prosperity, or stability, with any
which is mentioned in the history OF republican
institutions.
am about to take the oath prescribed by
law, to preserve, protect, and defend, the consti-
tuition of this State, and OF the United States.
shall endeavor faithfully to discharge my oblga-
tions to both; not less Tor the respect and ven
Grafton in which hold them than that the flu
ture happiness and prosperity Of the country
depend upon their maintenance and dinviolability.
We yet have high duties to perform, touching
the welfare of the South, by giving fresh vitality
and more effective organization to those we'll
tried principles Of State Rights, to which this
commonwealth has been so long and ardently
attached. But should it happen, however, in the
Providence of God, that, during the term Of my
,Ik, H.. vi A.