The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1854-01-18
-el GOVERNOR MEDILL's 81 M
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Gentlemen ofGhe Senate and l9o ~
Y . House of RPpresenfafiue.

A century ago, the territory now consii'
tutiDg The State Of Ohio was an unbrokeu
wilderness. Her admission inlo the grear
conlederacy Of American States, is fresh in
The memory of many who are now before
me. Lille more than half century has
elapsed since that event. d
She entered the Union with population
Of hardly sixty thousand. or the thirty
one States that now constitute that Union,
she is The third in respect Of population.
More than two millions Of cillzens. in the
full enjoyment of civil and religious liberty,
now live within her borders.
Her resources have been adequate moi
only 10 the expense Of Government, bul
have been applied to The construction oI
long lines Of calals-tbe establishment
and maintenance of magnificent system
of public institutions, and 10 the erection
and support Of lar and expensive insiitu-
tons Tor the education Of The unfortunate.
Private enterprise has kept pace with
the increase Of wealth and The growth Of
population.
The wilderness has given place 10 cul.
ilvaIed fields. and smiling villages raise
their spires where buta few years ago The
lofty oak displayed lis 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 of any other Stale in the Union.
Such rapid growth in all the elements
which make great and prosperous peo.
pie, must ill the heart of every citizen
with patriotic hope and honorable pride.
The future prospects of our people are
as promising as the past has been prosper
Gus.
lie would be unworthy of Foar cons
dence and respect who did not feel honor.
ed at being called by the voice of its peo,
pie 10 the Chief Magslracy Of so great and
growing State Words, indeed, are mad
eqante TO express my lhankfulness for the
confidence which has been repesed in NE,
and my sense of the responsibilities Of the
position in which have been placed.
The growth Of our State and .tiIe higl,
position which she now occupies have been
produced by the selfreliance, energy and
industry finer people.
The character oil the government has ten.
ded to encourage these qualities, and has
had an important agency in augmentins the
moral force Of the people.
Personal security-lreednm from ,io
lence and insults the primary and i'm
porlant object Of The establishment Of al
civil govrnmen,. The weak must be pro
lerted from the aggressions of The strong
Lille is hardly desirable where it is moi Sc
cure. or when it is constantly exposed Il
the fear Of oppression and The apprehen
sion OF wrong. .... n
Our laws throw their shield around all
and grant impunity 10 none. ln lhem the
weak find refuge and support, and none
are so powerful as not 10 ne. d their pro
lection. Under their equal operation al
enjoy the fruits Of their labor in security
aud peace.
Our comparative freedom from any thing
like monopolies, by which competition j:
cut of, labor oppressed, and generous ant
ennobling rivalry is degraded, has encOur
aged our citizens 10 embark in schemes o
public and private improvement which, il
society differently constituted, wouh
! never have been undertaken. ...
The grant Of any special privileges has
not only produced the evils inherent in ,h'
system, but has been the just cause Of dis
satisfaction and dneasiness in the minds o
the people. They have naturally felt ha
their rights have been abridged, and III,
rule of equality, which constitutes the YER,
loundaliua of human freedom, and whicl
should prevail in all legislative action ha
been violated. I'D.
The result, too, has always been unfOr
tuna,e, and demonstrated the folly of goin
beyond the limits of declaring and securin
the rights Of individuals and furnishing an
redressing their wrongs.
Government has no right 10 inierler
with the pursuits Of the governed, Whe
i, assumes the power of discriminating be
tween different classes, il is usurping
power OF sovereignty which the peopl
have never conferred. The exercise q
talents and industry should be left With
The limits Of the general laws, no class o
particular body Of men should posses
rights or privileges not enjnytd by lh
whole masses Of the body polite.
We are not accustomed fully to consiJf
all The advantages ofthe general preValenc
of the principle of equality in our pelilics
system. Like the air which we breath
its very commonness is an obstacle lU th
full appreciation Of all its blessings.
The ordinary discharge Of the duties {
citizenship calls into exercise all The mel
tai faculties. The administration OF pul
lie affairs, by requiring the cooperation
the people, furnishes them with the mo,
useful and practical lessons in goyeruae'
aud legislation. ..H ..
As juymen, they are called upon
consider The weight Of evidence, To pcou
clIe the contradictions of different slaI
menls, and TO pronounce judgment up'
) the law as modified by the Facts thus q
iermined. HHW97a.J Or ...fp h
/ The right Of suffrage requires them
. inform themselves Of, and dpronounce ud
men, apon the actions of their agents, Al
3 the proFrie,y Of Legislation. . 81.
0 The exercise OF these rights and duIi
requires intelligence. The possession
g knowledge gives moral force. dscre,i'
a and activity to The indiwdsa,;-:ts univ'
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