Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-01-19
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
POLLOCK.
January l6, 1855.

FELLOW CITIZENS.
Custom sanctions, and
demands, brief declaration Of the prlnc'-
pies and policy, to be adopted and pursued
by an Executive about to assume the
functions of that Office. The character OF
our institutions demonstrates the prcprlety
Of such declaration. All the just powers
Of the Government cmanate from the
people, and to them should be communl-
Gated the manner in which it is proposed
to execute the powers conferred
The people are sovereign and in the
exercise of their sovereignty, they have
q" ordained and established" constitution
for the government of the State That
constitution, nave this day, in the pres
ence of my fellow citizens, and of Him who
is the searcher Of hearts-and with humble
reliance on His wisdom to direct-sworn
to support The high powers therein del
egated to the respective and coordinate
branches Of tho Government are clearly
expressed and defined. Side by side with
the grant of powers, stands the declaration
Of the rights of the people, recognlz ns
the general, great aud essential principles
of liberty and free government. To guard
against the transgression Of the powers
delegated; and to preserve forever invio-
late the rights, liberties, and privileges of
the citizen, thus declared, will be both
duty and pleasure, in full harmony with
every sentiment of my heart, every impulse
of my nature.
Republican Institutions are the pride,
and Justly the glory Of our country, 10
enjoy them is our privilege, to maintain
them our duty. Civil and religious llber-
ty-freedom of speech, and of the press,
the rights of conscience, and freedom of
worship-are the birthright and the boast
of the American citizen. No royal cdict, no
pontifcal decree, can restrain or destroy
them. In the enjoyment of these bless
ings, the rich aud the poor, the high and
the low, meet together-the constitution,
in its full scope and ample development,
shields and protects them all. When
these rights are assailed, these privileges
endangered, either by mad ambition, or
by influences foreign to the true interests
of the Nation, and at war with love Of
country-that noble impulse Of the Amer
ican heart, which prompts it to revere
home and native land as sacred objects ct
its affections-it is then the ballot-box IN
its omnipotence, speaking in thunder tones
the will Of the people, rebukes the wrong
and vindicates the freedom of the man
the independence of the citizen. 70 the
American people have these blessings been
committed as a sacred trust they are, and
must ever be, their guardians and defend
ers. The American citizen, independent
and free, uniuaueuced by partizan attach
ments, unawed by ecclesiastical authority
or ghostly iutolerauce-in the strength OF
fearless manhood, and in the bold assertion
of his rights-should exhibit to the world
living illustration of the superior benefits
of American Repubhcanism; proclalmlng
true and single allegiance to his country,
and to no other power but the God that
made and preserves US as a Nation"
Virtue, intelligence, and truth are the
foundation of our Republic. BY these
our institutions and privileges can, and will