Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-01-19
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
GOVERNOR LIGON.

DELIVERED AT ANNAPOLIS, JANUARY IL, 1884
Fellow Citizens- impressed with
the responsibility imposed upon me by the
people Of Maryland, in calling me to DIS
charge the duties of the Executive Office,
and not Insensible 10 the arduous and per-
picking trusts inciden. 10 such position, !
enter upon the performance Of the task
which The oath have jus. taken requires,
with an un(eigned distrus. Of my ability
sui'ably 10 reward SO large measure of
public confidence, but v i,b deliberate pur-
pose 10 administer that branch Of the gov
eminent inlrusted to my care in strict accor-
dance with the best interests of the people
and my own constitutional obligations.
feel profoundly grateful for the dislin-
gulshed tho unmerited honor that has been
conferred upon me, and with an earnest de-
sire to secure the public approval in ell my
official conduct, ! shall strive 10 merit it BY
an honest effort to discharge my whole du-
~, and by rigid observance of those tried
and cherishey principles Of public policy
which lie at the foundation of our govern
ment, and have given stability aud value 10
10 the institutions Of our country.
To SO enac. my par. as 10 contribute to
the honor and permanent. welfare of our
State, shall constitute my highest ambition,
and to this object my bes, efforts shall be
cordially and constantly devoted.
Al no period in our history have we had
greater cause for congra,ula,ion on our con-
dtion as State, than at this moment.-
Through the direct instrumen,ali,y Of the
sovereign power the organic law has been
remodeled, and given to US in the form of
a Constitution, in which the strong and lead
ing principles consistent. with The spirit of
the age and the genius of our civil ins,i,u-
lions have been literally recognized. The
tolls and struggle Of years gave birth to The
instrument under which we are now living.
The first demand by the people for reform
ed Constitution had my earnest sympa,hies,
end the result Of their work has nv appro-
val and support.
But while every true friend to more lib
eral Constitution has good reason to rejoice
in the ultimate triumph which crowned their
exer.ions, and although many of the snti-
republican features Of our former system
have given place 10 thos better suited /, he
times, much remains 10 be done. The new
Constitution has broadly and unequivocal-
ly recognised the 'inalieanabe righp of the
people 10 amend, alter, or abolish their from
Of Government, whenever in ,hei Judgment,
it has failed to accomplish the purpose for
which i. was intended, and fixed slated Pc
riods for ascerlaining the public will. 1t has
approxima,ed more nearly TO the sound prn-
cipIe ofrepresenla,ion according TO the pop
ula.ion-and thereby enlarged the area ol
human rights; i! has given TO the people the
privilege of elec.ing a slile larger number OF
their own officers, and thus increased great.
ly their direct interest and responsibility in
the ordinary affairs Of Government; i, has
thrown open the prison doors to the honest
and helpless debtor and bid him go free; i
has cast around the Legislature wholesome
restrictions to guard against extravaganza
in the expenditure ofpubic money, and the
creation Of public debt it has established
sound precautions and wise penalties agains
an nnholy exercise Of the right of suffrage
it has deprived the Legislative branch of ths
Government (elec,ed for other purpose.
and wishou, direct instruction from The pub
lie voice) Of sll power TO alter or abridg.
any constitutional provision; it has don,
these and many other things, to which ,h.
public heart as we'll as the public judgmen
has cordially responded, aud yet much i
left for energetic legislation to accomplish
The assembled wisdom Of ,ha, body, tn
Reform Conven,ion-one which shed ricl
luslre upon the brigh! character Of our Stat
through The giant minds it numbered-coul
not give 10 the New Constitution ,hs, vital
i.y which it required by subsequent legisIa
ton. They left their work-nol perfect
but we'll done. That the new Constitution
IN itself, as it came from their hands, was
.riumphan. redemption in the main of lh
pledges Of the relormers and deserved tn
emphatic confirmation i. received through
the ballot box. few if any are now preparct
to deny; but the Legislature, which ha
since its adoption, been engaged in The pre-
para,ion Of The necessary measures TO Civ.
il force, though they have accomplished
much have no, get done all that is required
In relation to the elective judiciary, where
the strong doubts of many sound judgments
we're lodged, our experience, though sho,i
is amply sufficient 10 vindIcale The policy
The judges elected have been such, as DO.
DIV. as will do no discredit 10 the system OF
the people, and will conltas. most favorably
with those of our sister States. 1t may be
the misfortune in some cases that incompe-
ian, or unworthy men shall obtain positions
upon the bench for which they are unqusIi.
fed, but IS this risk more 10 be dreaded than
system Of life tenure subjec. /" an appoint
ing power, liable to he Influenced by the
same psr.izan considerations do moi
hesitate to express my convic,"ns, tha. in
our progress thus fsr under the new sys.
tenn, ell Of the circumstances properly
weighed, the wisdom Of The Convention or