Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-01-18
GOV. CHAsE's
Inaugural Address,
DELIvERED JANUARY 18th, 1856.
Fello,0- Citizens Of the Senate
Gad House Of Representatives,

ernor of the State.
Before entering upon the discharge of the
duties to which | am thus summoned, am
required by the fundamental law to take an
oath or affirmation to support the Constitu-
ton of the United States and of this State,
and to take also an oath of office.
In compliance with venerable usuage,
not established, indeed, by the Constitution,
but recommended by tho examples of all
my predecessors, | now appear before you
for the purpose of taking upon myself the
solemn obligations which the Constitution
imposes, and of declaring briefly, the gen
eral principles by which, in my Judgment
the conduct of public affairs should be regu-
lated.
The Constitutional duty of communicat-
ing to the General Assembly of the condi-
ton of the State and of recommending
measures by him deemed expedient, de-
volved upon my predecessor, who has ae-
cordingly laid before you the reports of the
several State officers, accompanied by such
recommendations as seemed to him most
likely to promote the public welfare.
The duty which usage imposes upon me,
requires no detailed exposition, or elaborate
discussion.
In the discharge of that duty 1 shall
speak with difidence, but with frankness.
A profound sense of defective information
and limited ability will forbid presumption;
while gratitude to the People, as deep as it
is fervent, for the general confidence which
their suffrages evince, will eonstrain me, ir-
resistibly, not only to the best exertion of
all my faculties in their service, but to the
plainest declaration of the views of public
policy, which investigation and reflection
have led me to adopt, subject always to the
corrections of reason and experience.
If l may not hope for general concurrence
in these views, l may at least expect, from
the intelligence and justice of the people,
candid consideration and impartial judg-
ment
The sovereignty of the People is the dis
tinguishing characteristic of our institutions.
The People constitute the State. Govern
ment is nothing but the administration of
the affairs of the people, by the agents of
the people, selected in such and
manner and invested with such powers as
are best adapted, in their Judgment, to the
security of their own rights and the advance
ment of their own interests.
To the successful working of such insti-
tutions two conditions arc Indispensable
The first is, personal freedom; the second is
official responsibility. Without personal
freedom, inviolably secured to every individ-
ual, there may be a community of priv
legged superiors and degraded depend
ants; but there cannot be, in the true sense
Of the word, People. Without response
bilitys constantly exacted and vigorously en-
forced, the servants of the People arc but
too apt to become their masters. Eternal
vigilance, it has been well said, is price of
Liberty.
In our own State. personal freedom is
guaranteed by fundamental law: and the
responsibility of public servants is secured
by partition of governmental powers, by
strict limitations of authority, and by fre-
quent elections.
To you, Senators and Representatives, be-
longs exclusively the functions of legislation.
No part of this power, and no control what
ever over your exercise of it is confded
to the Executive. To him belongs the du-
ty of Recommending to yoar consideration
such measures as he may tbink best adapt
ed to promote the public welfare; but thore
his duty ends. The rest is yours.
To secure individual rights against invas-
ion; to furnish adequate remedies for the
redress of injuries; to provide the means
and difilse the benefits of education; to
rescue, from unhappy destinies, those chill
dren ofsOrrow, the deaf, the dumb the blind,
the insane; to define the just course and lin
its of individual and associated action; to
develope the resources, protect the interests,
and defend the honor of the State; to main
tain the public faith, and make provision for
the discharge of the public obligations =
these are some of the high duties which
the Constitution of the State and the choice
of the People devolve upon you.
For the supply of the means necessary
to the due performance of these duties, and
to the proper administration of the State
government the patriotism of the people
may be safely trusted; but they will Justly
require that no more revenue is collected
than is indispensibly necessary to these
ends; and that clear accounts be rendered
of its faithful application to proper public
purposes.
The burdens of taxation have become
very grievous. Reform, both in measure
and in mode is universally demanded; and
| earnestly invoke your most serious atten-
ton to this important matter As far rs
possible, the aggregate of taxation should
be reduced by the introduction of rigid
economy into every branch of the public ser
vice; and the greatest care should be taken
to apportion its burdens equally upon all
non-exempt property of every description,
by whomsoever held. No favor and no dis
favor should be shown towards one descrip- !
ton of property or class of owners, rather !
than towards another.
Under instructions issued by the late Au-
ditor of State, the statutory right of each |
citizen to deduct his debts from his credits,
in listing his property for taxation, has been
denied. In issuing these instructions, the |
late Auditor was governed, doubtless byre-
spect for a decision of majority of the
Judges of the Supreme Court by which the
section of the act which allows this deduc-
ton, was declared to be unconstitutional
notwithstanding that decision. however. the