Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-01-20
MisfeIlaneous.
ADDRESS OF GOV
MEDILL.


Gentlemen of The Senate
and House Of Representatipes:--
A century ago. the territory now cons,itu-
ting the State of Ohio, was an unbroken will
derness. Her admission into the confeder-
acy of American States, is fresh in the men,
ary of many who are now before me. Little
more than half a century has elapsed since
that event.
She entered into the Union. with popula-
tion of hardly sixty thousand. or the thirty
one States which now constitute that Union,
she is the third in respect Of population More
than two million of citizens. in the full enjoy
ment Of civil and religious liberty, now live
within her borders.
Her resources have been adequate not only
to the expense Of Government, but have been
applied to the construction Of long lines of ca
nas-ihe establishment and main enance OF
magnificent system Of public institutions,
and TO the erection and support OF large and
expensive institutions for the education of the
unfortunate.
Private enterprise has kept pace with the
increase Of wealth and the growth Of popu-
laton. The wilderness has given place to
cultivated fields, aud 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 re-
mute have been brought into close proximity
by extensive lines Of railroads. Indeed, the
number of miles of finishing and projected
railroads. is greater than that of any other
State in the Union.
Such rapid growth in all the elements
which makes great and prosperous people
must fill the heart Of every citizen with patri
oiic hope and honorable pride The future
prospects Of our people are as promising as
the past has been prosperous. He would be
unworthy Of your confidence and respects
who did not feel honored at being called by
the voice of its people. to the Chief Magistra.
cy of so great and growing State. Words
indeed. are inadequate to express my thank
.uiness for the confidence which has been re-
posed in me. and my sense Of the responsible
ities Of the position which have been placed
The growth Of our State and the high po
sition which she now occupies, have beer
produced by the self.reiiance. energy and in.
dustry Of her people. The character of the
government has tended to encourage the
qualities. and has had an important agency il
augmenting the moral force of the people
Personal security-freedom from violence
and insults the primary and important OBJ
ject of the establishment Of all civil govern
ment. The weak must be protected from
the aggression of the strong. Life is hardly
desirable where it is not secure, or when it !,
constantly exposed to the fear of oppression
and the apprehension of wrong.
Our laws throw their shield around all
and gran: impunty to none. In them the
weak find refuge and support. and none are
so powerful as not to need their protection
Under their equal operation all enjoy tn,
fruits Of their labor in security and peace. Our
comparative freedom from anything like mo.
nopolies. BY which competition is cut of, Ia
Dor oppressed. anG generous and ennobng ri
valry is degraded. has encouraged our citi
gems to embark in schemes Of public and pri.
vate improvement, which in a society differ.
emily constituted. would never have been un-
dertaken.
The grant Of any special privileges has not
only produced the evils inherent in the sys-
tenn. but has been the just cause of dissaiis-
faction and uneasiness in the minds Of the
people. They have naturally felt that their
rights have been abridged. and the rule Of
equality. which constitutes the very founda-