The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1856-01-17
GOV. CHAsE'S
INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
DELIVERED JANUARY II, 1856

and House Of Representatives.
1t has pleased the people OF Ohio to call
me TO their service in the capacity Of Gov
ornor Of the State.
Before enerng upon the discharge Of
the duties TO which am thus summoned,
] am required by the fundamental law to
take an oaG or affirmalion to support the
Constitution OF the United States and ol
this State, and TO take also an oath of office.
In compliance with venerable usage
not established, indeed, by Inc Constitu.
lion, but recommended by the examples
Of all my predecessors, now appear be
fore you for the purpose Of taking upon
myself the solemn obligations which the
Constitution imposes, Of declaring, briet.
ly. the general principles by which, in my
judgement, the conduct OF public affairs
should be regulated, and of indicating
some Of their more obvious applications.
The Constitutional duty OF communi.
eating TO the General Assembly the con
dition Oi The State, and Of recommending
measures by him deemed expedienl, de.
volVed upon my predecessor, who has ac-
dinghy laid before you the reports OF the
eeveral Safe officers, accompanied by
such recommendations as seemed to him
most likely TO promote tho public welfare,
The duty which usage imposes upon
mo, requires no detailed exposition or G.
laborAle discussion.
In the first discharge Of that duty shall
speak with dliidence, but with irankness.
Ap'oiound sense OF defective information,
aud limited ability, will forbid presump.
ton; while gratitude TO the People. Us
deep as it is tervent, for the generous
confidence which their suffrages evince,
will constrain me irresiIlably, not only TO
the best exeuion OF all my faculties in
their service, but to the plainesl decla a
ton OF The views of public policy, which
investigation and reflection have led me
to adopt subject always to the corrections
Of reason and experience.
II | may not hope for general concur
renee in these views, ! may at least ex-
pec,, from the intelligence and uslce ol
the people, candid consideration and i'm
partial judgment,
The sovereignty Of the people is the
distinguishing characteristic OF our Inst.
Iuions. Toe People constitute the State.
Government is nothing but tho admins.
lralion Of the affairs OF the people by the
sgsn,S Of the People, selected in such u
p2aaer and invested with such powers
as are best sdapled. in their judgment, TO
she security Of their own rights, and the
advancement oI their own interests.
To the successful working Of such in.
siitulions two conditions are indlSpensa-
bic. The FIRST J.. personal freedom; the
second is official responsibility. With.
ont perSonal freedom, involabIy secured
10 every individual, there may be u com
munily of privileged superors and de-
graded dependents; but there cannot be
IN the true sense ci The word, People
Without responsibility, constantly exac.
ted aud vigorously enforced the servants
Of,he People are but two apt to become
their masters. Eternal viglence, il has
been well sud IL the ptice Of Liberty.
In our own State, personal freedom is
guarOnteed by the fundamental law; and
tho responsibility OF public servants is Sc.
cured by the partition of governmental
powers, by strict limitations OF authority,
and by frequent elections.
Toyou Senators and Representatives.
belongs exclusively the function oil legis-
la'ion. No part Of This power. and no
control whaiever over your exercise of il.
con6ded to the Executive. To him be.
longs the duty Of recommending TO your
consideration, such measures as he may
think best adapted 20 promote the public
welItreI but there bis dpiy ends. The
rest is yours.
To Eecure individual rights against in.
vasiob; to furnish adequate remedies lor
lhe redress OF injuries; 10 provide the
MEANS aud dltiuSe the benefit oi educa.
,lon; to rescue, rom unhappy destinies,
those children of sorrow, the dumb, the
blind sud the Insane; to define the JUS,
cputse and lunts Of individual and usso.
claieG action; b deyelor The resources,
protect ihe inI~fesis ald deieEd the hon
or Of, the State; 10 maintain Ah!e public ob.
Ugatons;--Ihese are some 0f ihg bjgb du.