The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-11-13
GOV. HARRIS INAUGURAL.

The Nashville papers contain the Inaugural
Address of Gov. Harris. We subjoin that
portion of it which relates moro particularly
to Estate policy;"
One Of the highest duties devolving upon
the State Government is the preservation of
public credit.
Our citizens have embarked in an extensive
and in its inception, wise system of Internal
Improvement, to develope the immense re-
sources OF the State, and in aid Of those
works the public credit stands pledged to a
large amount Such steps should be taken
as will insure the prompt and full redemption
of that pledge.
And while the most liberal policy consis-
tent with the preservation of the credit Of
the State, should be pursued towards those
companies, justice to them as well as to the
State, forbids that the system of pledging its
credits in aid Of those enterprises should be
further extended.
| The present deranged condition of the cur
rency of the State deserves serious consider
alton.
BY the universal custom OF civilized ma
lions, gold and silver are recognized as the
standard of exchange, and commercial bal
ances are readily effected through their instru.
mentality.
Their intrinsic value is such that they nev-
er materially fluctuate, so as to destroy their
utility as universal circulating medium, and
the uniformity in the amount of currency
prevents those sudden and violent fluctuations
in the value of property and labor, to which
the country is subject under the expansions
and contractions OF general banking sys-
TEN. Yet the present condition of the conn
try demands that such reform as may be
adopted, should be slow and gradual In its
operations, giving to the commercial and all
other interest. in the country ample time to
adapt themselves to the proposed change.
And while the system of banking Is con-
tinued, il should be so regulated and restric-
ted (where the Legislature Possesses the
power to do SOY as to make their issues con-
vertble into gold and silver on demand, a.
the place where it is put into circulation.
Bank issues expe. from general circulation
the coin of the country, locking it up in
Bank vaults or employing it elsewhere in
profitable exchange, and while these institu-
tons are permitted to furnish the circulating
medium of the country based upon system
of credit, they should be required to furnish
one equally as good as that which they dis
place.
The policy of general system of popu-
lar education, based as 1t Is upon the princi-
pie that every citizen of Republic should
possess sufficient intelligence to discharge,
understandingIy, the high duties devolving
upon him, has justly received large share of
public consideration.
A more efficient system Of common school
education is imperatvely demanded if we re-
gard the wants of the present, and the high
est interest of future generations. Such a
system to he efficient, should regard the NOR
al as well as the intellectual training of the
child. And he would be public benefactor
indeed, who would devise plan of common
school education, which would be adapted to
our moral, intellectual and physical develop
ments as people.
The importance of the subject demands,
and should receive early and earnest atten-
ton.
Having thus briefly indicated some of the
principles that will control my action in dis
charging the high duties to which have been
called BY the Partially Of my countrymen,
and earnestly invoking upon my own humble
exertions, and upon our beloved State and
country the Divine blessing, enter upon the
duties assigned me.