Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-01-15
inaugural Address Of Governor Polk
Fslioe Ciiizens and Genticsnen Of The
Senate aud House OF Repres. nfufires.

ctHdte UftN AAtust W ftpItsthttttttSs
In assuming the Office Of Chief Magistrate of
our State, | should do violence to the feelings of
my nature, did forb ear TO express the gratitude
feel to my fellow citizens for their confidence
and favor, evinCed by calling me by their sufffa-
ges TO fill position so elevated. but at the same
time, cannot forget, that the responsibilities oil
the station are fully commensurate with its Dig
nifty. And conscious of my own weakness, |
feel painful apprehension, that ! may not be
able TO meet the reasonable expectations CT my
felow-ctilens, nor the just demands of the Office
which hevc been called 10 ell. may derive
some support, however from the reflection, that
| can al least bring an honest purpose and faith
full endeayors to the discharge of the arduous du-
ties that lie before me and after that throw my
self upon the indulgent forbearance of nay fell
low-citizens, who, am pursuaded, will be ever
ready TO pardon much to the errors of judgement
when assured that my motives are pure and pa
triotic.
Elected as the advocate and exponent of well
known political principles, which believe wise
and Constitutional in themselves, ard expedient
IN their operation yet, at the same time, feel
it due to myself, TO say that in the disc barge of
my official duties, it shall be my erdeavor TO
act, not as the representative of party, but as
Chief Executive Officer Of the entire people of
the State-rteardful of the interests and Welfare
of each Individual citizen, And Ishall make it
my aim in the execution of the functions of my
office, 10 respect the rights of mnorities as well
as the wish of majorites.
In all my ofiici"l conduct, nv leading purpose
shall be, faithfully 10 observe the Constitution of
the United States and the State Of Missouri
The emphatic and solemn Injunction of the lat
ter, that "shall take care that the laws shall be
faithfully executed" | hope never to forget ;nor
ever to lessen the respect due TO the laws by care
lessly or lightly dispensing with the penalties
they denounce against their violation. And ! am
sure, shall not cease TO be impressed with the
truth, that rigid adherence to the former, in a
strict construction Of all its provisions, both in
its commands and its prohibitions, is the only
course that can be relied on for the preservation
and peIpetuation of the glorious Union Of our
confederate States. +,
II is a matter OF sincere congratulation, that
love of our cherished Mon still pervades the boz
SONS Of the people of the entire Republic. We
We have Just passed through an unusually heated
political contest, in which many aggravating and
bitter elements OF strife have been mingled, most
menacing 10 the integrity of our Contederacy ;yet
the patriotism of the great conservative masses Of
our true hearted citizens-their attachment 10 our
Constitton-their love for that Union, by which
as q nation we have attained TO unexampled great
ness and happiness have triumphed over tie fell
spirit OF scctionalism and disunlOn
II will be never failing source OF qualification
to me, il sh II be able to contribute in any de-
gree, towards Inspiring more sacred reverence
for the Constitute of Government, under which
the several people uf FALL the States united as
one people-a stronger attachment 10 that Union
thus established and the free institutions Of which
it is al once the conseryator and guarantee-and
a fraternal regard for each of cur sister States
and for the people of every section of our wide
ly extended country. Oh that these sentiments
might pervade the population of our common
country IRON North 10 South, and from Sea to
Sea.
In obedience to the requirements Of our own
State Constitution, and contormably 10 the pro-
visions of our Federal Compact, which confines
the action of the General Government within the
limitations of powers expressly granted by II, and
reserves to the State respectively or to the people
thereof, all the powers not granted you, Gentle
men OF the Senate and House of representatives.,
have assembled to devise such measures and en-
act such laws, as in your judgement, the insltu-
tons, condition and interests of the people OF our
beloved State may require.
- No one can reflect upon the commanding posi-
ton which our State is permitted 10 occupy, with
out just pride and high hopes. Possessed of a
soil of unrivaled fertility and great variety, and
also genial climate, alike favorable TO the diver
sity and copiousness of our agricultural produc-
tons, and to the healthfuness and vlgor of our
people, mental and corporal; posse ssng inexhaus-
tibie mines of the most valuable metals those
metals of which the civilization of the world is
most deeply indebted, we have already made a
growth in all that constitutes great and prosper
Gus commonwealth, which may well inspire sen.
timents of gratitude and pride. And if we shall
wisely and efficiently avail ourselves of these in
estm bile advantages, we may anticipate, with the
favor of n kind Providence, a future which al
most challenges imagination TO portray.
Facts ADMINISTRATIONS like these, beget very
weighty and solemn considerations.
In performing the respective parts in the legls-
lation of our State, assigned by the Constitution
10 you gentlemen of the General Assembly and TO
myself, | hope the Legislature and the Executive
will never be brought into conflict. 1t certainly
will be my objecttto cooperate, and not to contend
with you.
The Constitution, in my opinion, reposss the
power of a qualified veto IN the Executive over
the action Of the General Assembly, not so much
lowest legislative power in the Governor, as to
arrest the rash or Incorporate exercise of that
power, by the Senate and House of Representa-
lives. But should such state of things unfortu-
nately arise, | shall endeavoI to meet, what
shall deem my constitutional obligations in that
emergency, with becoming frlnness.
| consider that il is the spirit of our Constitution
as well as the die tate of justice and right, that the
legislation OF the State should bear equally on all
its great interests and, as far as II may be practi-
cable, on each Of It's individual citizens-conter-
ring on all equal rights, and imposing on all equal
burthens. L hold il TO be a Republican maxim,
that the government of the State should bear as
lightly as possible upon its population. And to
effect this, like the atmosphere, it should press Oh
all alike, and in all points Of its contact, equally
on each individual.
It will be my aim 10 do all can within the
scope of my constitutional authority 10 foster our
great agrlc ultural, manufacturing and CONNER
cial interests, and 10 aid in directing the energies
and enterprise of our citizens in the development
of the resources of our State mineral and agricu
tural. When the agriculturist has gathered his
crop-whcn the miner has disemboweled the ores
from the mines, and the manufacturer has CONVEX
ted them into metal, market is needed II will
be my pleasure 10 aid in furnishing facilities TO
render this desideratum attaInable.
Previous Legislatures have nangurated IN our
State, system Of Railroads, for the accomplish
Inent of this and kindred objects. In these roads,
the State is deeply interested not only as they
must affect her prosperity and growth-the wealth
of her citZens-ther advancement in the arts of
civilization, and their substantial and permanent
nell ration in all respects, but also because of
the high pecuniary stalk that she has in them.
think all who have have casually obsery-
ed the progress of things, must be satisfied, that
if this system shall be made to answer the end in
tended, and those roads be completed, it must be
accomplished mainly, if not exclusively, by our
own means and energies. Are we equal 10 the
task?
With an intelligent and enterprising population,
comprising men from different States aid coun-
tries, reared and educated amid the discoveries