The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-01-21

INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

4 tat,res.
/ On assuming the Office Of Chief executive of tn
State, It becomes my duty, to point out to you,
ordinate branch of the Government some Of the prin
ciples, which in my opinion, should guide us in tn
administration of its affairs.
Legislation is high sovereign power, to be exer
cised with great wisdom. Its sanctions are foun
in the proper discharge Of responsibilities to tn
people from whom the power is derived.
| We have reached important juncture in the his
tory of this State, and charged with the initiative
oflaws and measures bearing upon its administrative
policy which gives peculiar emphasis our public du
ties
Aside from this, there are other circumstances con
nected with Federal relations and the financia
posture of affairs by which all business transaction
have suddenly been deranged; the commercial SIX,
over-couded, the whole country smtten as with pal
sy and this period marked as one of uncommon solem
nifty. 80
But every age must teach its own lesson. The les
son of this age Of great movements and great peril
first, that oflimting the credit system its rghtfu
sphere. Secondly that of giving back to agrcultur,
her just and ulproportion of the industrial forces
society," for IL plain that when the commercial elias
ses bee ONE numerically larger than is necessary fol-
the exchange and distribution of the products of thu
earth, and the fabrics of the work ops Gas unques
tionaby was the case at the commencement of tn,
financial and commercial crisis) the effect must b.
to diaturb that equilibrium in the division of labor
essentiato healthy condition Of the worlds busine
| This undue enlargement Of buyers and sellers IL
which is included the whole circle of traders and spec
ulators, whether in merchandise land, at the ex
pense of field culture, has contributed in my judgment
its full share in bringing upon the country that embar
rassment which is its just retribution.
| II ,Nont to-
less speculation it multiplies the employment of un
natural expedients to live easy and without much toll
Thisis subversive Of the law Of our being Toll is the
Providentally appointed allotment of man at BIRTH
Husbandry in its enlarged is the basis of socie
ty furnishing not only the pabulum OF ife but the ma
terial for clothing the world.
All other branches of business are but its incidents
Thin the ranks of its votares, and crowd the channels
eftrade and commerce, and you bring into being Q
train of disturbing evils that result In disaster
No maxims of political economy, however well OBJ
served-no system Of currency however nicely adjus
ted or guarded, can compensate for this departur,
| from the law oflabor.
Let agriculture, the vanguard Of all other occupa
ons, have its full and appropriate share of the indus
trial forces Of the country, with commerce just equa
to fair distribution ofits products always following
and never in anticipation Of its annual crops and tn,
worlds affairs and business will in the main flow on
with comparatively smooth and full stream.
Happily for the people Of Iowa, the sun In his bril-
liancy looks not down upon fairer land for the ex
enplifcaton of this great regulating element in the
economy and business OF life. Here the ignorant and
humble, as well the intelligent and elevated
peasant-the amateur husbandman--the professional
and literary man--the statesman and politician and
the representative of the highest style in the
country, may pay their homage to this primeval EN-
ployment of man. and to general husbandry liz
highest conception and development as system and
as science.
There is not perhaps another so 914 square miles In
one body upon the globe that offer SO many broad
acres of unrvaled fertility, and Of such high adapta
ons for the staples of life the State Of Iowa Two
ofthe largest navigable rivers in the world lave hel
eastern and western borders, her plains abound in
coal-beds and other mineral There are no natura
causes of insalubrity within her realm The course
her prarles and the physical CONFORMATION of the sur
face, invite the atmosphere Of the snowy mountain.
In copious currents over her extended plains bear
ing upon their wings the invigorating vitality that
gives quckness and elasticity to the STEP and endu
rance to the toiling energies Of its people.
This goodly land thus blessed in its natural cond
tions, has undergone an almost magical transition
from Natures wilderness to the cultivated fields the
ourishng villages and populons cities of civilized and
enlightened man. and in this altitude presents sub
ject OF reflection Unsurpassed In interest In the annals
of the world
The condition of State sovereignty which IL rapidly
attained has recently been amplifed and is now about
to manifest itself through perfect organization
legislative, judicial and executive. Over this comb
nation of supreme powers you are called to extend a
legislation that shall give effect and operation to Ia
I recently modified and improved fundamental law to
revise correct and harmonze existing enactments ia
! establish policy suited to the rapidly unfolding re-
sources of State and to lay the foundations of an EN-
pire that can under benfcest laws and wise system
of field culture, support FIVE to eight millions of inhab
! itants A. -} tE s aat
Itshould be aim emulate, II not surpass, the
best model of a State Government In the Union We
are one Of great conederacy Of States each exist
ing under its highest form OF organization as BODY
polite; each In its constitutional sphere
the others, and all possessing their own peculiar
TEN Of policy, adapted TO their geographical positions
the habits and pursuits of their people and the
bilities of their SOIL None perfect yet all are
commissioned to promote the public veal 1t is no.
bic contest between galaxy sovereign States as 10
which shall present to the world the model Govern
ment,
The first great element Of all prosperity is to con.
duct the affairs of the State upon christian principles
In this way the Divine will is honored and the spirit Of
God breathes through the combined intelligence OF the
people This principle in own political system
raises itself in majestic serenity above the strfes OF
parties, and the conflicts of sections and being based
upon the dictates Of pure reason promotes degree OF
in systems Of State policy not otherwise at
tainable.
| One important method Of displaying just regard
the principles of christianity is to give due atten
ton to the benevolent Institutions Of the day. The
hand Of charity should be extended to- all the varieties
Of human want multiplying its forms of action in pro-
portion to the forms Of suffering In the erection Of
hospitals unatic and deaf and dumb assylunls in es.
tabshing dispensories and poor-houses; in opening
receptaces for the reformation and punishment Of the
vicious and wicked founding institutions of learning
high order, with charity scholarships and perfec.
ting our common school system. 1t is known that
throughout State there many unfortunate hu-
man beings bereft of reason, for whom adequate
! provision has yet been completed There are others
to whom the light Of Heaven not whose eyes
closed to the happy smiles Of friends and the beauties
Of the world and who hear the voice Of love
and the whispers Of living nature. The poor maniac
needs prompt and efficient sympathy and kindness and
restoration to society, and whilst humanity rejoces
over the result ofinstutions reared for his benefit
perence cheers with the knowledge that We can al
most open the eyes Of the blind and unstop the ears OF
the deaf. t3E F