Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-01-21
when it is empty--to the depth of FIVE or
six inches.
Second Inaugural Address Of Gov.
Chase. Jan. II. 1858.
FelioD Ci,isens Of tie Senate and Hogs. Of

|
Representatives.:
TIE will of the people, expressed in the
mode prescribed by the Constitution, has
: summoned ne Tor the second time, TO tine
duties and responsibilities Of the Chief
Magauacy OF Ohio, and have now, in your
presence, and in the presence OF the people
: here assembled, taken upon myself the
solemn obligation of an oa.h TO perform
) them faithfully.
During the two years since was first
, honorad with this trust, it has been my con-
slant endeayor to acquii myself OF it as be-
, came citizen devoted to the Institutions Of
the State, aud bound by every obligation OF
honor and gratitude to the faithful service
of the people. ] may not say that lave
committed no errors. Doubtless some things
have been omitted which might have been
done, and some things done. which might
have been better done. But may say, and
il seems not unfit that should say, here, In
this presence, fearing no contradiction Oh
any truthful man who knows the truth, that
all my acts have been designed TO promote
| the highest interests of the STATE, and that
my best faculties and my most earnest en-
deavors have been actively and unremiiting-
| ly devoted 10 her service.
Assuring now, once more, in obedience
to the popular voice, this responsible trust'
| my past must .stand sole sponsor for my
| future. Larger experience and better in
formation will. trust, enable me to accom-
piish something more for the public good
than has been hitherto effected; but my
aims, my purposes, and my principles Of &C.
tor must remain unchanged.
You will not expect of me, gentlemen, on
this occasion, any discussion of civil or po-
liticaI questions. have already within
few days, made fully known to you my views
in relation to public affairs. That these
views will meet your concurrence, in all re-
spects, it would be presumption in me to
anticipate, but there is one point, at least,
where all our judgments, al our purposes
and all our exertions may well join. The
common good should be, and trust will be,
our common aim. Under our fortunate
poity, no ktng--no AriStoeracy--no Arbi-
trary POwer-no Privileged Class-can
claim to be the State. Tue welfare, the
and noble, OF the State, IS nothing else than
the welfare, the honor, the advancement of
the people and the whole people. To these
great objects, gentlemen, however we may
differ as to the best means OF promoting
them, we may we'll join in addressing the
most strenuous exertions of our highest
powers.
1t is not cur part, happily, to lay the
foundations Of Institutions. That work is
done, and well done to our hands. 1t Is our
singular felicity 20 be citizens of the fist
State of the Union, organized, through the
wise providence of the Founders of the Re-
public, upOn those "fundamental principles
of civil and religious liberty" which they
declared to be the basis of.all American
Law and all American Constitutions. In
the organization Of other States unfrendly
circumstances had permitted only the par
tial application OF these principles. In the
organization Of this no such circumstances
inteTp0sed their evil influence. The Insti-
tutions OF Ohio were framed in precise hGr-
mony with the ideal of State as it existed
in the minds of the grest master builders of
the COnfederacy and of the Union. This
ideal demanded. FIRST Of all the absolute free
cum of every individual guaranteed and
secured by impartial law; next, involsbilitv
o. rUusuieHce, and just p!ote ction 10 all
iorNs of worship and all religious organizs-
tlOns; then, the sacred observance OF CON-
pacts; then, the promotion OF religion,
morality and know ledge by universal ecucs-
tloE. There was nothing narrow, nothing
liberal, nothing unjust in this ideal. IS
we icOmed the immigrant to the ireesI p,r-
ticjpa:On with the hyme5orn in the inestir9-
able blessings Of popular Institutions. Il
pledged the States, TO be formed under il,
10 perpetual Union with THEFT sister States.
1t established the Sovereignty of the Peo-
pie upon the indeStructibie-and iiie only
inGestruc OF the Rights Of
Man.
Organized under these auspices, and in
accordance with this ideal, Ohio msy justly
De s,y led the model State OF the American
Union. II is an honorable, a gratifying
distinction. Let it re cur care, gentlemen,
that lis luster be sulsd ~ no act or omi.-
siCn Of ours. U,un the soil rhus cUnsecr,-
ted to Liberty and Union-u2on the foun-
thus wisely isid, Of Equality snd
Justice, let Us 20 on, in humble dependence
upon Divine favor, TO build, yet broader and
higher, the noble edifces OF truly Demo
cratic and truly Republican State. never
tEst Mn is more than Institu-
tionS, and Right the sole vital PsIBeipls of
Law.
We shall repair now, gentlemen, to cur
respective duties. In the great work 10
which have referred. you will ever find
me, trust, prompt and dilEgent CO worker;
and i: is Hiy earnest wish that you rlsy per-
form SO faithfully your part in it, Shat Ohio
may long remember with pride and gratitude
the General Assembly you have the honor 20