Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-01-21
A tt riae, Oft repeated, binds
SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF GOV. CHASE JAN. IL. 1853.
FsliOw Ci,izens of tie Senate and H0sse
of Representatives:

Fsliow Citizens of tie Senate and R0Sse
Of Representatives:
The will Of the people, expressed in the
mode prescribed by the Constitution, has
summOned me for the second time, to the
duties and responsibilities of the CHEZ
Msgistracy OF Ohio, and | have now, IN
your presence, and in the presence Of the
psople here assembled, taken upon myself
the solemn obligation OF an oath to per-
form them faithfully.
During the two years since I was first
honored with this trust, it has been my
constant endeavor to acquit myself of it as
became citizen devoted to the Institutions
of the State, and bound by every obligO-
tion of honor and gratitude to the faithful
service of the people. l need not say that
| have 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 it seems not unfit that
Ishould say, here, in this presence, fearing
no contradiction OF anv truthful man who
knows the truth, that all my acts have
been designed to promote the highest in
terests Of the State, and that my best fac.
ulLies anG my most earnest endeayors have
been actively aud unremiltingly devoted to
her service
Assuming, 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 ne TO accom-
pish something more for the public COOL
than has been hitherto effected; but my
aims, my purposes, and my principles OF
action must remain uuclan led.
You will not expect Of me, gentlemen,
on this occasion, any discussion Of civil or
political questions. have already within
few days, made fully known TO you my
views in relation 10 public affairs. That
those views will meet your concurrence, in
all respest', it would be presumption in me
to anticipate; but there is one point, at
least. where all our judgements, al ourprr-
poses and all our exertions may well join.
'Hhe common good should be, and trust
will be, our common aim. Under our for.
'tunate polity, no King-no Aristocracy-
no Arbitrary Power--no Privileged Glass
;--can claim to be the State. The welfare,
the honor, the advancement in all things
good and noble, Of the State, is nothing
else than the welfare, the honor, the ad-
vancemeNt of the people and the whole
people. Tothese great objects, gentlemen.
however we may differ as to the best
means Of promoting them, we may well
join in addressing the most strenuous ex>
ertions of our highest powers.
It is not out part, happily, 10 lay the
foundations of Institutions. That work
is done, and well done 10 our hands. 1t
is our singular felicity to be citizens of
the first State of the Union, organized,
through the wise providence ofthe Found.
ess Of the Republic, upon those "funda-
mental principles of civil and religious
liberty" which they declared to be the
basis Of all American Law and all Amer.
lean Constitutions. 10 the organization
of other States unfriendE circumstances
had permitted only the partial application
of fthese principles. 10 the organiza,i on
of this no circumstances interposed their
evil influence. The institutions Of 'Ohio
were framed in precise harmony with the
idea Of State as It existed in the minds
oflbe great master builders Of the Ccnfed.