The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-01-18
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Aga OF THE -.
GOVERNOR OF OHIO
Gentlemen of the Senate

troSn IN the memory OF many WIZ ato III"
before me. Little more than half GEN.
tury has elapsed since that event.
She entered the Union with popula.
tion of hardly sixty thousand inhabitants.
or the thirty-one States which now con-
stitute that Union, she is the third in re-
.spect Of population. More than two mil
lions Of citizens, in tho full enjoyment of
civil and religious liberty, now live within
her borders.
Her resources have been adequate not
only to the expenses of Government, but
have been applied to the construction of
long lines Of canals-to the establishment
and mainten ance of magnificent sys-
tenn of public instruction, and to the erec-
ton and supper, Of large and expensive
institutions Tor the education and restora-
ton OF the unfortunate.
Private enterprise has kept pace with
the increase of wealth aud the growth Of
population.
The wilderness has given place to cul-
tivated fields, and smiling villages raise
their spires where but few years ago the
lofty oak displayed its foliage. Colleges
and other ;institutions of instruction have
been founded and endowed. Places the
most remote have been brought into close
proximity by extensive lines of railroads.
Indeed. the number of miles of our finish.
ed and projected railroads, is greater than
that oil, any other state in the Union.
Such rapid growth in all the elements
which make great and prosperous Peo-
ole, must fill the heart Of every citizen with
patriotic hope and honorable pride.
The future prospects of our people are
sas promising as the past has been prosper.
-ous. =
He would be unworthy Of your conf.
.dence and respect who did not feel honor
ed at being called, by the voice of its peo-
ple, to the Chief Magistracy of so great
and so growing State. Words. indeed.
are inadequate to express my thankfulness
for the confidence which has been reposed
in me, and my sense Of the responsible
ties Of the position in which | have been
placed.
The growth OF our State and the high
position which she now occupies. have
been producedb by the selfrelance, energy
and industry Of her people.
The character of the government has
tended to encourage these qualities, and
has had an important agency in augment.
ing the moral force Of the people.
Personal securi,y-freedom from vio-
lence and insults the primary and i'm
portant object Of the establishment OF all
civil government. The weak must be pro-
1scted from the aggressions of the strong
Life is hardly desirable where it is not Sc
cure, or where il is constantly exposed to
the fear OF oppression and the apprehen'
sion Of wrong.
Our laws throw their shield around all
aud grant impunity to none. In them the
weak End a refuge and support aud none
are SO powerful as not TO need their pro
tection. Under their equal operation al
en;oy the fruits Of their labor in security
and peace.
Our comparative freedom from anything
like monopolies, by which competition Il
cut off. labor oppressed, and generous AM
ennobling rivalry is degraded, has encour
aged our citizens TO embark in schemes
: pulic and private improvement which, II
a society differently constituted, woul'
never have been undertaken.
The grant OF any special privileges ha
not only produced the evils inherent III tn
.systen. but has been the just tcanse OF dis
satisfaction and uneasness in the mind
OF the people. They have naturally fe
shat their rights had been abridged. an
the rule Of equality, which constitutes tn
very foundation OF human freedom. an
which should prevail in all Legislative ac
zion. has been violated.
The result. too, has always been unso'
tunote, and demonstrated the folly OF g
inp beyond the limits Of declaring and S,
.cnfing the rights Of individuals, and pui
ishing and redressing their wrongs.
Government has no right to in,erie
with the pursuits OF the governed. Whe
il assumes the power OF discriminate
between different classes, tits usnrping
portion of sovereignty which the peop
have. never conferred. The exercise
talents and industry should be lett with
the limits of general laws. No class
particular body Of men, should posse
rights or privileges not enjoyed by 4
whole mass of the body polite.
We are moi accustomed fully TO consi
.er all the advantages Of the general pre-
aience OF the principle Of equality in
political system. Like the air which '
breathe, its very commonness is an obs'
Gle to the full appreciation of all lis BILE:
ings.
The ordinary discharge of the duties
citizenship calls into exercise all the me
tai faculties. The administration OF P,
Iie affairs, by requiring the cooperation
the people. furnishes them with the m
useful and practicallessons in goyernm
and legislation.
AS .iurymen, they are called upon
consider the weight of evidenee,to rec'
.cile the contradictions of different sta
snents, and TO pronounce an authorltai
Judgment upon the law as modified by
facts thus determined.
The right Of suffrage requires them
inform themselves of, and pronounce Ju
ment upon, the actions Of their agents,
the propriety of legislation.
The exercise of these rights and du
sequires intelligence. The possessio,
knowledge gives moral force, decisi
and activity to the individual;-its uni
sal diffusion, power and respectability
the people and perpetuity to their inst