The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-09-08
From the Louisville Journal of the 5th.l
OF GOVERNOR M0REHEAD
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

We learn by telegraph that at II O'Clock, to
day, Hon. Chas. S. Morehead was inaugurated
Governor of this State, at the Capitol. The
Governor elect was introduced to the i'm
mense assemblage by the retiring Chief Magis-
Itrate, Governor Powell, in the following re-
marks
FELLOW CITIZENS: l introduce Hon Charles
S. Morehead, Governor elect, gentleman of
enlarged political experience, and eminent abil-
iity, which he will patriotically devote to the
public service.
On retiring from office, return to the peo-
lple of Kentucky my grateful Acknowledgements
for the kind and indulgent manner in which
they have regarded my public acts. Whatever
my errors may have been, they have kindly
covered them with the broad mantle of their
charity.
! / wish you, sir pleasant and prosperous
administration, one that will reflect additional
honor, dignity and glory upon the common
wealth of Kentucky, and tend to preserve and
lperpetuate the rights of the States, the Federal
Constitution and the Union.
Governor Morehead then delivered the fol-
lowing
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FELLOW CITIZENS: Having been officially
notified of my election as Chief Magistrate OF
of this Commonwealth, and standing before you
with the kind and fattering introduction of my
honored and distinguished predecessor, to take
the oath of Office prescribed by the Constitu-
ton, avail myself of the occasion to return
my grateful acknowledgements for the honor
conferred upon me, and to express the con-
seriousness feel of the weight of responsible
fty which it imposes. With a dstrustful esti-
ofY Yavr for biorh ctatioy,
lenhanced, as it is by an anxious solicitude to
meet the just expectations of an enlightened
constituency, l feel that may be allowed to
ask in advance some portion of that public con-
fidence in my patriotic intentions, so much Of
which has been merited and won by my prede-
cessor; and at the same time fervently to in
woke the blessing and aid of that Almighty Be-
| ing who presdes over the destinies of nations
and of States, so to sustain and direct me in
the path of duty am appointed to pursue, as
will best promote the peace, happiness, and en-
during prosperity of our beloved Common
wealth.
! In every free government, parties must and
will necessarily exist, but amid all the violence
of excited pass ons incident to the ordeal of ar
animated party canvass an unconditional ac
quiescence in the decision of a majority is ac
Iknowledged on all hands as the vital element
of Republican liberty. But, although major
ity must rule, in our happily organized govern
lment the rights of the minority are alike anC
Iequaily protected with those of the majority
and can never be unmindful, though elevated
to office by party, that am the chief Magis
trate of the whole people, and bound by every
reconsideration of duty as well as of patriotism
to act with unyarying and never faltering i'm
partiality.
The constitution of our State secures to al
the enjoyment Of equal rights and privileges
: The native and the adopted citizens are placed
on terms of perfect equality, and while tn
lparty which has elevated me to office desires
IA revision and modification of the laws IN rela
: ton to emigration and naturalization, it nel
, ther proposes nor desires to impair this equal
litY. Both the native and adopted citizen ar
subject to the same penalties for violation O
their civil, political, and religious rights. Tn
functions of religion and the rights of con
science are scarcely exempt from all civil ju
Irisdiction, and need not add that all reli
n gious sects OF denominations are entitled t
= land shall receive equal protection.
g In taking F'care that the laws be faithful,
executed" rigid accountability and faith
full discharge of duty will be exacted of al
officers who are, in any manner, subject to Elk
lecutive control. I need scarcely say that tn
lexecution of the laws, duly enacted by tn
constituted authorities in a government lik
ours, is absolutely necessary. Here, the Law
alone is supreme, and while it exists ever,
lgood citizen will yield to it ready and will
ling obedience The severity of our crimina
and penal code is mitigated by vesting in tn
Executive the power of pardoning crimes ant
!. remitting fines and forfeitures. The existenc
Ief such power implies that cases may aris
where it ought to be exercised; but I am vel
laware of the caution and circumspectlol
! which ought to be observed in such cases. Tn