Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-01-18
7s INAUGURAL ADDRESS qa.
OF THE t..-.'
GOVERNOR OF OHIO.
Gentlemen of the. Senate

.. s-,t.. i.t and House of Representatives.
century ago, the territory now constituting
the State of Ohio, was an unbroken wilderness
Her admission into the great confederacy of Amer.
lean States is fresh in the memory of many who
are now before me. Little more than half a cen.
tury has elapsed since that event. q 49,.
She entered the Union with a population oil
hardly sixty thousand inhabitants. Of the thirty
one States which now constitute that Union she
is the third in respect of population. More than
two millions of citizens, in the full enjoyment OF
civil and religious liberty, now live within her
borders. -.- s.. ... 81. ~ {.,..t- .r ..l.t,..,.
+ Her resources have been adequate not only to
the expenses of Government, but have been ap-
piled to the construction of long lines of canals
to the establishment and maintenance of a mag
nifcent system of public instruction., and to the
erection and support of large and expensive inst-
tutions for the education and restoration of the
unfortunate. .-..,-, .~,.. G-raf.. ~s,,, - .
Private enterprise has kept pace with the in
crease of wealth and the growth of populations.
The wilderness has given place to cultivated
fields, and smiling villages raise their spires where
but a few years ago the lofty oak displayedts fo.
liage. Colleges and other institutions of instruc-
ton have been founded and endowed. Places the
most remote have been brought into close prox-
unity by extensive lines of railroads. Indeed, the
number of miles of finished and projected rail
roads, is greater than that of any other State in
the Union. --5 .7-.. - 'h -. '5''
Such rapid growth in all the elements which
make great and prosperous people, must fill the
heart of every citizen with patriotic hope and hon
orable pride. . ..t ...a.., .f..f ....-. ...
The future prospects of our people are as prom
ising as the past has been prosperous, ..r ..
He would be unworthy of your confidence and
respect who did not feel honored at being called,
by the voice of its people, 10 the Chief Magistra-
cy OF so great and SO growing State, Words,
indeed. are inadequate to express my thankful
ness for the confidence which has been reposed in
me, and my sense of the responsibilities of the po-
sition in which have been placed
The growth of our State, and the high position
which she now occupies, have been produced by
the selfreiiance, energy and industry Of her peo-
pie. ~ '...~ - t---.i-''
The character of the government has tended to
encourage these qualities, and has had an mpor-
tant agency in augmenting the moral force Of the
people. - ,...- .. - '.,
Personal security-freedom from violence and
INSULTS the primary and important object of the
estabshmentof all civil government The weak
must be protected from the aggressons of the
strong. Life is hardly desirable where it is not
secure, Or where it is constantly exposed to the
fear of oppression and the apprehension of wrong
Our laws throw their shield around all, and
grant impunity to none. In them the weak find
"a refuge and support, and none are SO powerful as
not to need their protection. Under their equal
operation all enjoy the fruits of their labor in Sc
Guilty and peace.
Our comparative freedom from anything like
by which competition is cut off, labor
oppressed, and generous and ennobling rivalry is
degraded, has encouraged our citizens to embark
in schemes of public and private improvement
which, in a society differently constituted, would
never have been undertaken. E-r- Isl
The grant of any special privileges has not on
ly produced the evils Inherent in the system, but
has been the just cause Of dissatisfaction and un
easiness in the minds of the people. They have
naturally felt that their rights had been abridged
and the rule Of equality, which constitutes the very
foundation of human freedom, and which should
prevail IN all legislative action has been violated
The result, too, has always been unfortunate,
and demonstrated thc folly of going beyond the
limits of declaring and securing the rights of in
and Furnishing and redressing their
wrongs. ~ 81. .,....-.-. r.. :. .... ...,..s..~,.t
Government has no right to interfere with the
pursuits of the governed. When it assumes the
power of discriminating between different classes,
it is usurping portion of sovereignty which the
people have never conferred The exercise of
talents and industry should be left within the lim-
its of general laws. No class or particular body
of men, should possess rights privileges not en-
Dyed by the whole mass of the body politc.5 gea
We are not accustomed fully to consider all the
advantages of the general prevalence of the prin-
ciple of equality in our political system Like the
air which we breathe. its very commonness is an
obstacle to the full appreciation of all its bless
ings. t9 @ls .eeG 7Hs.a .5ue .a il
The ordinary discharge of the dutiess of citizen
ship calls into exercise all the mental faculties-
The administration of public affairs, by requiring
the cooperation of the people, furnishes them with
the most useful and practical lessons in govern
ment and legislation. ia t.,.. e..as...r r....,.- cd.
AS jurymen, they are called upon to consider
the weight of evidence, to reconcile the contra
dictions Of different statements, and to pronounce
an authoritative judgment upon the law as modi
fed by the facts thus determined. a.t.;r... r+
The right of suffrage requires them to inform
themselves of and pronounce Judgment upon, the
actions of their agents. and the propriety of legs
lation. q is~ -'a
The exercise of these rights and duties requires
intelligence. The possession of knowledge gives