Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-05-26
Gov RE1D,s INAUGURAL ADDRESS,

bin of North Carolina, The Isl day Of 1a"""5' -O
Senator's and Members Of the House cont tn~ ~,
Imnressed " ilh deep sense OF grattuue t,;J
foio,v c;,;Iens enter upon the duties oil inc sa'oi
n which their kind paraliIy has called me; WIN 'a
earnest invocation Almighty God SO 10 80
official conduct as 10 promote lne the STATE
oor;,v and the happiness OF the people OF Tue IN
IT. Jn,ies of the Executive, at all times deilcae anu
rssnousi5le are magn6ed by the Importance u VI"
crisis and should approach the fearful TASK ass
INC win greater reluctance were it not for the idc ND
7 find myself surrounded 10y the Legislative autnon'
~ of the State, confided TO gentlemen whose wlsuu Il
and PATRIOTISM doubt not, Will be touno equai ~ "
emergency. ,.:;, =, the
Nor,h threatens the overthrow of the Constitution
and a dissolution of the Union. The oia'e,J ~
lion is one Of momenous importance 10 l!ie II -
States of the Confederacy, involving an lhca 'oui
aoorpt If Dronertv as we'll as the domestic peace
and security of onr people. In the formation OF 'le
federal Constitution the institution Oh c'dEeiy
recognized and provided for IN manne 'hiS ones
isfactory 10 all the States Subsequently, "iS q"
linn deeplv aqiated the country and The Son'h laue
concessions to the North and submitted 10 'he Wis
souri, compromise, with the assurance ane
thai this exciting element Of political STRIFE was 10
forever nut to rest. After avallIng herself OF al e
advantages derived under that compromise the Nor'h
urged exorbitant demands, which led TO the enact
ment Of the series of compromise measures Passeu W
the present Congress- by which the South Iosl Inl-
portant rights by again making concessions 10 me
North. The North, having avalied herself oil all 'ne
advantages under this compromise does not cease "
a1itate the subject and now threatens u rel '0
only one of the which enured TO the oehe'
of the South, accompanied, in many instances, Oy
violent threats 10 disregard the Constitution anu lie
laws and to forciby resist their execution
We have not been Indifferent TO the endorsements
that have been made on our rights, yet we have pa
tienrly suffered them with the hope they would not
be again renewed. We now have just cause 10 iedr
that this hepe Elusive North Carolina one oi
the last States enter the Coniederacy, yields 10
none of FER sisters in ardent attachment TO the non
She would regard its dissolution as an a" iuI caai-
w. which she would avoid al any sacrlhce consistent
with her rights and her safety. She came INTO me
Union to be governed by the federal Consutuuon'
and to secure herself against tyranny and oppresslon
and so long as the Constitution is faithfully adhered
TO and her rights respected, she Will be among the
last of the States desert the Union. But she new
er gave her consent to enter into Union which
would overthrow the Constitution, violate her dearest
rights and manacle her with the letters of oppression
To such Union she owes no allegiance. n solemn
sense of public duty impels me to declare that The
tncroochnens of the North the domestic institutions
Of the S0uth hare already proceeded TO the Jurthest
allowable point. Entertaining this opinion, regard
il as due candOr that We should make mat Iaci
known, that brethren at the North may be fully
informed that we know GU: rights, and knowing,
dare maintain them; and that if they proceed In
their aggTessions they must expect to meet the con-
sequences.
In view Of all the circumstances, respectfully
recommend to the General Assembly to provlde-ln
the event of contingency arising to justify l-for
taking the necessary steps TO maintain the ConStltu-
OF the United States and Inc IlgnlS Oh
shat we may cooperate with such other States as
may determine TO stand by Union governed by the
compromises OF the Constitution. Pursuing this
course, shall feel proud consciousness of the
recude of our cause, and be justified In the esuma-
ton OF all impartial minds; and then, if the awful
calamity must come-which God forbid let The
consequences fall upon those whose madness and folly
have provoked it.
That the rights of the States may be respected. the
Constitution preserved, and The Union, according to
the Constitution perpetuaed is my ardent wish; and
the Legislature and the people of the State may rely
upon my hearty cooperation in such measures may
tend TO- the consummation of these desirable jects
1t is we'll worthy of consideration whether our po-
lice regulations in relation 10 slaves and free persons
of color sufficient and also, whether the public
interests does not require further Legislation to
efecually ensure the apprehension and conviction
Of persons who endeavor to excite slaves 10 rebellion
or instruction, or who kIdnap persuade them to
leave their owners, and more especially In cases
where such offenders fec to other States.
a judIcious system OF Internal Improvements by
the State has ever been regarded object of i'm
porance worthy of the consideration and action of
the General Assembly. Cheap transportation could
not fail to add to the wealth and convenience of all
classes OF our citizens, and TO the prosperity of the
State. There are various objects which claim the
consideration of the Legislature Feeling deep in
terest in the prosperity of every part of the State
and believing that The members of the General As
sembly, residing they do in the various Counties,
will be fully prepared TO give due consideration the
claims of every portion OF the State, do not feel
myse'! called upon to decide between the peculiar
merits Of the many objects of public improvement
which demand the patronage Of the State In carry
ing out system of Internal Improvements large !
expenditure of money is necessarily required and it
is not to be expected that State can at once embark
In all the schemes that are desirable Works of this
description should be undertaken with due caution in
regarI TO their practcabity and the adequacy of the
means of the State TO complete them. As general
rule think the Legislature which authorizes the con-
struction of works of Internal Improvement ought !
at the same time, to provide for raising the means
for their completion. Whether public opinon or The
condition of the Treasury will justify the State at
this time in embarking in other and new objects of
Improvement, and if so, to what extent, is cues
ton which is submitted to the prudence and wisdom
OF The General Assembly. While iudicious sVs-
TEN OF Internal improvements within The means and
resources OF the State la desirable to alI vet wild
and extTavagant one, involving the State in large
public debt without the prospect of return of ade-
quate advantages 10 the people, is to be deprecated
Such system would, for a time at least, paralvze
The spirit OF Improvement, and with it, the prospect
~ OF the State. The laws in force for CARVING ont
works of Internal Improvement already provided for
and such others as the Legislature in IFS wisdom NAV
hereafter provide for, so far depends upon INV ac-
ton as Executive, shall be faithfully executed
In a State like ours, where the popular voice di |
reels and governs public affairs, education is subject
OF general and paramount Importance 1t is therefore
The policy OF the State to foster and improve our sys-
TEN oil Common Schools answer the laudabIe
ana henehcent purpose for which it is intended In
1870 an act was passed setting apart certain sources
OF revenue tor Common and convenient Schools and |
providing for the distribution of its proceeds
the several counties in proportion to the free white
population In each, whenever in the opinion of the