Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-01-19
Inaugural Address Of Gov. Lswe,
DELIVERED JANUARY 18th.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and
Ix.. Of per.

DELIVERED JANUARY 18th.
Gentlemen of the Senate and
House of Representatives.:
On assuming the Office Of Chief executive
Of this State, it becomes may duty to Point
out to YOU, ~ co ordinate branch OF the
Government some Of the principles, which
in my opinion, should guide US in the ad-
ministration Of its affairs.
Legislation is a high sovereign power, to
be exercised with great wisdom: Its sane
lions are found in the proper discharge OF
our responsibilities to the people from whom
tho power is derived.
We have reached an important juscture
in the history oil this State. and are charged
with the initiative Of laws and measures
bearing upon it administrative policy which
gives peculiar emphasis to our public du-
ties.
Aside f.om this, there are other circum-
stances connected with our Federal rela-
tions, and the financial posture II affairs, by
which all business transactions have SUD-
denly been deranged the commercial sky
over clouded, the whole country smltten as
with palsy. and this period marked Us one
of uncommon solennity.
But every age mus, teach its own lesson
The lesson OF this age. Of great movements
and great peril. is first, that Of limiting
the credit system to its rghtful sphere. -
Secondly, that of giving back to agriculture
her just and full proportion Of the industrial
forces OF society for it is plain. that when
the CONNIE rcial classes become numerically
larger than is necessary for the exchange
and distribution of the products OF the
earth. and the fabrics Of its work shops,
las unquestionably was the the case at the
commencement Of the financial and com
mercial csisis) the effect must be to disturb
that equilibrium in the division Of labor, 40
essential TO a healthy condition of tho
worlds business
This undue enlargement of buyers and
sellers in which is included the whole circle
of traders and spectators, whether in mer.
chandise or land. at the expanse Of field cul-
ture. has contributed, in my judgement, its
full share in bringing upon the country
that embarrassment which is its just r.tri-
button.
Its effect is TO engender spirit Of cupid
ity and reckless speculation; it multiplies
the employment of unnatural expedlents to
live easy and without much toll. This is
subversive of the law of our being. Toll 10
the Providentialy allotment Of man at birth.
llusbandry, in its enlarged sense is, the ba-
sic of society. furnishing not only the pen
dulum Of lie, but the material for clothing
the world.
All other branches Of business are but its
incidents. Thin the ranks Of its votariss,
and crowd the channels Of trade and COM
merce, and you bring into being train
Of disturbing evils that must result in die
aster
No maxims of political economy, however
vel! observed-no system. of currency. how
ever nicely adjusted or guarded. can com
pensate for this departure from the law Of
labor.
Let agriculture, the vanguard Of all 9th
er occupations, have its full and appropri-
ate share of the industrial forces Of the
country. with commerce just equal to fair
distribution Of its products, always follow.
ing, and never in anticipation Of its annual
crops. and the worlds affairs and business
will in the main flow on with comparative
ly smooth and full stream.
Happily for the people Of Iowa, the sun
in its brillianSy looks not down upon fail
er land. for the exemplifcation of this great
regulating element in tina economy and bu
siness Of life. Here the ignorant aud hum
bic, as we'll as the more intelligent and ele
waited preasant-the amateur husband
the professional and literary man-the
statesman and politician, aud the represen.
tative men Of the highest style in the coun-
try. may pay their homage to this employ
ment Of man, and secure to general husban-
dry it's highest conception and deve.ope-
ment - system and as science.
There is not perhaps another 5O,9l4
square miles in one body upon the globe,
vailed fertility, aud Of such high adaptations
for the staples Of life, ss the State Of Iowa.
Two Of the largest navigable rivers in the
world, leave her eastern and western Dor
ders; her plains abound in coal beds and
other mineral. There are no natural causes
Of insalubrity within her realm. The course
Of her prairies. and the physical configura-
ton ofthe surface, invite the atmosphere
OF the snowy mountains in copious currents
over her extended plains, bearing upon
their wings the invigorating vitality that
gives quickness and elacticity to the step,
and endurance TO the toiling energy of its
people.
ihis goodIy land, thus blessed in its nat.
ural conditions. has undergone an almost
magical transition from natures wildness
to the cultivated fields; The fiorrishing vii.
lagos and populous cities Of civilized and
enlightened men; and in this altitude pre-
SCENTS subject Of reflection unsurpassed in
in interest in the annals Of the world.
The condition ofState sovereignty which
1t rapidly attended, has recently been am
piiied, aud 10 nov about to manifest itself
through q more perfect organization, legis-
lative, judicial and executive Over this
combination Of supreme powers, You are
called TO extend Iegislation that sbalI give
ei!eee and operation TO it, recently improv.
~ and modified fundamental law: 70 fsviaa.
correct and hesmepiss existing sirsumstaa-
o.; = sstebleh policy suitsd 70 the ~.
wv gnSeldine teso6rcss u State aad "a
~ ~ senntaea u empire that 90 d.