Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-01-15
BEDFORD INQUIRER

and in snrsendering he trust committed to me,
by generous people, my only regret will be,
that have not been able TO serve our noble
Commonwealth with zeal and ability equal to
the interest feel in her progress and welfare.
Whatever Of merit, or delaerit may attach to
my administration, whatever may be tho opinions
entertained of my conduct of the affairs of State,
lean at least claim from my fellow citizens, with
full consciousness of its right the award of
good intention, and will enjoy in my retirement,
the proud satisfa ctioL of knowing that no act of
niue, or of my administration, in tendency or
fact, injured or corrupted the public morals,
retarded the prosperity, Of tarnishad the fair
fame OF NV native State. | will surrender to
my successor the cares aud responsibilities Of
the Office | now mold with greater cheerfulncss
than | assumed them; and will return, without
a aiGrmur, to the society and companionship Of
those, who can approve without selfshness, and
eenslre only at the bidding oftruth and friend
ship. To the judgement Of impartial history [
commit my administration and its acts, without
q fear of the result: and when time shall have
softened the asperity of paIiizan feeling--heal-
ed the bitterness of disappointment and correct
ed ths errors of prcjud!ce, truth will sustain
the judgement aud justice approve the record.
Our beloved Commonwealth, rich in all the
elements Of marerial greatness, her broad and
fertile tields-he. lofty mountains, filled with
lnexhausiable mineral wealth-her rivers and
her streams-her internal improvements, her
furnaces, rolling mills, and factorles--her col
leges, acadanIles, and her noble system of COM
mon schnols-her churches aud charitable in
stitutious--her population, enterprisIng, cner-
getic, intelligent aud prosperous-all these are
justly the PRIZE of every irue-heagted Peunsyl-
yanian Our mighty repnblic, '.tbe tree Eeart's
hope aud hone'-- the Constitution aud the
Union OF the States-tho civil aud religious
privileges of tic pcopie-the right OF conscience
and freedom Of @or rship-the great aud essea-
tial principles of liberty ans free government,
here enjoyed, and eur American Nationality,
founded IN true and single devotion to home
and country, afe Objects that ill with patriotic
emotion, the heart Of every Americaa citizen.
5iay they be cherished and defended until pa
triutism ceases TO be u virtue aud liberty be
known only as name.
The true glory and greatness Of nation con-
sist, not aIoue in the number, privileges. or in
tellectnal superiority Of her people, her nlatsl-
al wealth or physical strength, her political po-
sltioa or ferin OF government. righteousness
exalteth a nation" aud .shappy is that people
whose God IS the Lord Our fathers trusted in
Him, aud were not disappointed Recognizing
Hiin as the Sovereign Ruler of Nations aud
Meni invoking continuance Of His watehtul
care over tho interest ef the Common wealth, and
His blessing upon your ofici.l labors--lay
yotT acts aud tie acts of those who may succeed
in the administration OF the government, IN
their character and results, be such as patriot-
ism demand, and honor, truth aod consciepce
can sanction aud approve.
JAMES POLLOCK.