The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-11-02
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


Governor Johnson, on the occasion of hi
nuuguration-which occurred on the 23
inst:
Gentlemen Of The Senate, of the House
Of Representatives., and FellO,o- Citizens
1t is not my purpose on the present occa
sion to make an address to you. Two year
ago ] presented in the form of an Inaugural
address my views in regard to National anC
State policy, which thought then ought t.
be pursued, and would now, if it were ne
cessary, reiterate and endorse them as being
sound and correct. They were my views
and sentiments then, they are mine now, ana
have been confirmed in them by reflection
and experience. The leading and fundamenl
al principles of Democracy were then laid
down, constituting as they do, the four great
cardinals of my political creed. They are
inherent and selt-existing in the nature oil
man, and will cease to exist only with mans
total annihilatiOn from the earth. They were
taught and prdcticei by the founder of our
holy religion, and they will have followers
and advocates so long as his precepts and
example are respected and received by
the civilized world, us being of Divine ori-
gin.
The Democratic party Of the Nation is
now passing through Il severe and trying or
deal. cOntendlng with an enemy that comes
rs n thief in the night, cautious and subtle in
It's approach, noiseless in lis footsteps, and
in its transitory pause exerting an inhu-
ence upon the morals, religion and politics Of
the country as withering and deadyl in its
effects rs the poisonous emission of the Upas
tree is upon all animal life. But Democracy
has heretofore passed similar ordeals and it
will as confidently believe, as il has done on
former occasions, rise from the present con.
test purer and stronger than at any former
period of our country's history. The people
have heard the struggle that has been going
on; they have been aroused to sense of the
great danger that surrounds and threatens
our institutions; they are in their might com
| ing up 10 the rescue, and will save the coun-
try and preserve the Constitution from u
practical violation Of some of its most essen
tial provisions. Democracy knows and it is
to be expected, too, that every plan, effort,
and undertaking that has tendency to i'm.
prove and to elevate the great mass of the
people, is naturally inclined to excite the i'll.
will and opposition Of those in possession of
considerable extra learning, wealthj and pow
er, or those who contend for undue advanta-
ges over their feow-men. 1t is important,
therefore, always to bear in mind, that what.
ever tends substantially TO benefit the CON-
mon people, will be generally viewed with
hostility by the pseudo aristocracy of the
country. Hence, genuine Christianity and
Democracy, both originated with, and have
mainly been supported by, men of humble
origin, circumstances, and situations whom
those puffed up with undue wealth, assumed
learning, power, rank, and authority, general.
ly profess to despise for their low birth, pow
erty, and ignorance.
Any thing which has a tendency to pro-
mote genuine civilization, Christianity and
Democracy, is most IN accordance with the
interests and feelings of the mass of the peO-
pie. We must therefore look TO them chiefly
for an impulse or true sense of equal justice
and fellow feelings, aud orwhatever imports
a common good, or the promotion of justice,
humanity, prosperity, and happiness to man.
kind in general.
Virtue and intelligence, talent and genuine
learning, honest industry, economy and real
merit, combined with heart that loves its
kind, OF whatever cline, tongue, or condition,
constitutes the only arlstocracy, that can ever
command and receive the respect and admira-
tion of the American people. An arstocracy
like this has my profound respect, and no
other has. 1t is principles and sentiments
like these which enable the patriot and phi
lanthropist to cxcaim in sincerity and truth
that The ,DOrld is my home, and erery honest
man is my brother.
In assuming the heavy responsibilities of Il
second Gubernatorial term, must be permit
ted to state, that have, or feel that have,
performed every duty which has been impos-
ed on me by law and the Constitution, with
strict fidelity; and donow enter upon the Sc
cond term, as did two years ago upon the
first, with fixed and unalterabe determine
ton to discharge every duty growing out of
my official station, with punctuaty and strict
Justice to all. 1t is with no ordinary pleasure
that avail myself of this occasion to tender
one time more TO the sovereign people of the
State, my unfcigned gratitude, for this addi
tiona evidence of their confidence in me as
n man and public servant will add, in con-
clusion, that the people have never deserted
me, and God being Dilling, will never de-
sert them.