The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-01-20
GOV. MEDILL,s INAUGURAL,
Gentlemen of The Senate
= 'O'0VEV"FSTV y 'TF0 'o0'1HFV
and House of REPRESENTATIVES..

Gof. MEDlLL'S lNAUGDNAL.
Gentlemen Of The Senate
and House of Representatives.:
A century ago, the territory now constitu-
ting the State of Ohio, was an unbroken
wilderness. Her admission into the great
confederacy of American States is fresh in
the memory of many who are now before me.
Little more than half a century has elapsed
since that event.
She entered the Union with q population
of hardly sixty thousand inhabitants. OF the
thirty-one States which now constitute that
Union, she is the third in respect of popula-
ton. More than two millions of citizens, in
the full enjoyment of civil and religious lib
erty, 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 manten-
ance of magnificent system of public in
struction, and to the creation and support of
large and expensive institutions for the edu.
cation and restoration Of the unfortunate
Private enterprise has kept pace with the
increase of wealth and the growth of popua-
ton.
The wilderness has given place to cultiva-
ted fields, and smiling villages raise their
spires where but few years ago the lofty
oak displayed its foliage. Colleges and other
institutions of instructions have been founded
and endowed. Places the most remote have
been brought into close proximity by exten-
sive lines Of railroads. Indeed, the number
of miles Of our finished and projected railroads,
is greater than that of any other State in the
Union.
Such rapid growth in all the elements
which make great and prosperous people,
must fill the heart of every citizin with pa
triotic 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 respect who did not feel honored at be-
ing called, by the voice of its people, 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 responsibilities of the position in which
| have been placed.
The growth of our State and the high po-
sition which she now occupies. have been
produced by the selt.reliance, energy and in
dusty of her people.
The character of the government has tend
ed to encourage thsse qualities, and has had
an important agency in augmenting the NOR
al force of the people.
| Personal securty-.freedom from violence
and Insults the primary and important OBJ
| of ba ctoh lishn of aD ciy
ment. The weak must be protected from
the aggressions of the strong. Life is hardly
desirable where it is not secure, or where il
is constantly exposed to the fear of oppres-
sion and the apprehension of wrong.
Our laws throw their shield around all; and
grant mpunity to none. In them the weak
find refuge and support, and none are SO
powerful as not to need their protection. Un'
der their equal operation all enjoy the fruits
. Of their labor in security and peace.
Our comparative freedom from anything
like monopolies, by which composition is Gu
: off, labor oppressed, and generous and emo
bling rivalry is degraded, has encouraged Oh
citizens to embark in schemes of public AM
private Improvement which, in a society dif
f ferently constituted, would never have ,beel
undertaken.
The grant of any special privileges has no
= only produced the evils inherent in the sys
. ten, but has been the just cause of dissats
/ faction and uneasiness in the minds Of thV
9 people. They have naturally felt that thei
rights had been abridged, and the rule of e
S quality, which constitutes the very founda
ton of human freedom, and which should pre-
, vail in all legislative action, has been viola
9 ted.
S The result, too, has always been unfortu
nate, and demonstrated the folly of going be
3 yond the limits of declaring and securing tn
t rights of individuals, and furnishing and re
! dressing their wrongs.
, Government has no right to interfere wit
the pursuits of the governed. When it as
Q sumes the power Of discriminating betwee
t different classes, it is usurpng portion {
e sovereignty which the people have nevt
t, conferred. The exercise of talents and il
IS dustry should be left within the limits of gel
h eral laws. No class or particular body
Il men, should possess rights or privileges NJ
ST enjoyed by the whole mass of the body pollti
We are not accustomed fully to consid
is all the advantages Of the general prevalent