Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-01-21
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

La Se cToWu Oh people ana tnlrteen mill
tary companies. The length Of the ad
dress excludes some other matter from oul
paper to-day, but as our readers will prob
ably desire to see what the new Executive
has to say for himself, we give it in full
The most remarkable feature in it is his
condemnation of the Lecompton Constitu.
ton, thus taking ground with Douglas on
that question, and against Buchanan, Big
ler & Go. Should Mr.. Packer continue in
this position in good faith and discard the
old State robbers, We shall not have much
fault to find with his administration
FELLow- CITIZENS In appearing before
you 60 enter upon my duties as Governor of
the Commonwealth, consult my own incli,
nations IN conforming to the usage which de-
mands a popular address and in the first
place, gladly embrace this opportunity to
return my profound and grateful thanks to
the people of Pennsylvania, for honoring me
with the Chief Executive office in their gov
ernment Their kindness will never be for
gotten, ncr will the confidence they have re-
posed in me ever be Intentionally betra rayed.
Duty to them and to myself will require that
the obligation which | have just taken, to
discharge my public duties with fidelity shall
be faithfully observed and thus justify, as
far as possible, the popular decision. Doubt
less may commit errors IN a position in
volving so much Of responsibility but will
hope that none of them viii be of grave
character, or productive of vital injury tc
the public interests. / Grave in advance a
charitable Judgment upon my official con
duct-that it shall be construed with kind.
ness and liberation, so long as it shall appear
to be prompted by sincere and honest motives
and | here engage, in this public and for,
NAL manner, to regard the will of the people,
the public good, and the commands of the
Constitution, as the guiding lights by which
my course is to be directed With these aims
constantly in view, shall indulge the pleas,
ing hope of doing some good in the high
station to which | have been called by the
public voice. and of repressing some evils
which may threaten the public welfare, or the
individual rights of the people.
Fellow- Citizens Of the Senate and House OF
Representatives :-It will be my ardent desire
TO cultivate with you, as Representatives of
the people, the most amicable relations, and
TO unite with you in the adoption of all such
measures as the public good may require -
The different branches of the government.
although charged with distinct duties, are to
be regarded as parts of one harmonious
whole and it is well when these parts move
onward without jar, interference, or eollis-
ion. Nevertheless, the distinct duties of the
Executive, when duly and honestly perform
ed, may occasion differences with the Legis
lature; but, In such case, it will be expedient
to cultivate a spirit Of compromise and con-
ciliation for the disposal Of such differences.
or, at least, for mitigating the feelings Of
alteration to which they tend
1t Is one of the duties of the Executive,
from time to time, to give to the General
Assembly Information of the state of the
Commonwealth, and Recommend to their
consideration suoh measures as he shall iudge
e4pedient; and under usage this is done bv
messages in writing, which are entered
among The public records and remain a mart
Of the official history Of the State. / do not
understand this as power of dictating IN
the General Assembly measures they shall
adopt, nor even as a power Of initiating laws
but as an informing and suggesting power
IN no respect trenching upon the Just and
proper jurisdiction of the legislative DEPART
ment OF free State. In short, it was never
intended to give q legal control over the pro.
ceedings of the Representatives of the peonle
IN the enactment Of laws. 1t is, therefore. a
right OF communication with them, which.
while prudently and reasonably exercised
IAN give no just occasion for jealousy. OBJ
Jectlon, or complaint. The Executive, when
exercising this right, is but performing a
piain duty, and can apprehend no difficulty
IL speaking with a respectful freedom even
upon questions where an entire agreement
ot sentiment cannot be expected. But.
ihere Is another and more delicate power
Thlcn pertains to the relations between the
Legislative and Executive departments. Rv
the twenty-third and twenty-fourth sections
OF the hrst article of the Constitution. all
bills passed by the General Assembly, and
most OF the orders, resolutions and votes in
which they may concur, are submitted TO the
Executive, and if disapproved by him can
only De made valid by a vote of two>thirds
OF each House, This power of disapuroyal
Is I among the most important duties of the
Executive, and is constantly becoming more
oo, fom the operation Of obvious and natu-
causes. In my opinion it is clear and
OlhulnR outy OF the Executive to return for
reconsideration every bill, order. resolution
or vote, presented to him. which ba non,,ot
approVe-in other words, that the sesa,. .'os os
ms judgment and conscience shall ho go,
any gwen 70 any measure before he ,,ern,;ts
1t to take effect unless, indeed, il be nasseS
against his objection by a two,thirds ,Cot vote
The words of the Constitution are 9" if he
approve, he shall sign a., but if he shall not
approve, he shall returnt with bis objections
20 the House in which it shall have originat-
ed" Words could not convey q power, and
prescribe duty in more clear and definite
form.
1t is manifestly the intention of the Con-
stitution that the deliberate and conscien-
tious approval of the Governor shall be given
10 bill before it becomes law, in addition
30 the approval Of the two Houses that have
previously passed It, unless the maiorities
afterwards given to it upon consideration
IN each House, shall be SO decisive as to
clearly indicate the wisdom Of the measure.