Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-01-07
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOV. ELLIS.


representatives, witness succession in the Office of
like those preceding it, being effected by the free action
the popular will presents the world renewed evidence
from the people onP Po''ai power 'eS'eo LII anu
Based upon this great principle political organization
doubtful revolution, has, under Divine superintendent
been sustained and preserved through almost entire
presenting stated periods prescribed law the
tacle allowed to look upon to-day. From the inagu
Magistrate after another has quietly departed from Office
the expiration of his term and his successor has been
duly installed, without disturbance commoton and with
During the period almost ali the nations the earth
beyond the circle of American States possessing forms of
government similar to have been convused by in
ternai violence and dscord. In many of them revolution
has rapidly succeeded revolution and war has followed fast
in the footsteps of war; devourng with rapacity the blood
and substance of their distracted people.
While these obvious truths of history incline hearts
with gratitude towards the Supreme Ruler of the Universe
that He has controlled tie affairs of to avert from
duce pleasing contemplation of those principles of
that have been made the Instruments in the
hands OF Providence of efectng for distinguishing
tits this government of the popular WILL ascertaned
this uninterrupted peace, this unbroken repose with all
their attendant social and domestic blessings Indeed
dhcut to perceive how such government long as the
people themselves continue vrtuous and intelligent, can
ever be shaken by internal violence.
Founded natural reason, the will of the majority COM
mends itself to the Judgment Of and receives the uni
ted support by drawing after it, through conviction of its
force derived from the well ascerained Judgment
majority of intelligent freemen before which resistance
of faction prove dangerous. and which
of rebellion can ever triumph And it case not to be
supposed that enlightened people would. at any time
change government when the might be accomplish
ed by peaceful methods entirely at their discretion.
Well assured, then are we of the solid foundations upon
which rests our domestic tranquility And this peace at
home is the most reliable safeguard against those external
influences prosper most the great material interests of the
people which constitute that wealth, in which lies the
government of majority is not alone manifested by
successful example, the example of those States
ISOLATED with in the American Union. The
of mankind furnishes testimony in behalf of popular
We occupy at the present time stand point
passed. and around upon those that ransprng the
present, enabled to the triumphant march
people where the lights of civilization have reached dis
solving they progress those mss that have hung around
eec strong bonds Of prejudice and illustrating the
beautiful consistency of the Creators wisdom, who He
holds accountable for their actions has denied them
the capacity for efgovernment and control.
The just powers of the people are now being widely felt
and acknowledged and plain to be that the
of government reforms at least in civilized countries
is democratic in its tendencies and in all States Ike
own where the mind has freedom of action and
left to follow the convictions of the Judgment these enden
cie decided and unequivocal in their character
Believing the democratic be the theory govern
amongst rs public blessing Convinced of the truth OF
the prncpte involves 90 not fear its universal appea
uar will brought to bear directly and without the ineven
OF agents. all questions touching the practical
eratons OF government, where the not be
rendered impossible by the neposen of merely physical
causes.
Entertaining these sentiments, can with entire sasfac
ton congratulate you upon recent advance made in pop
uar government in own State At the late elections the
people for the first tme permitted to exercise the
privilege of free and universal Suffrage and certainly the
result furnishes circumstance calculated to
tensions for the welfare OF our political Institutions
II appearing before you to-day gentlemen the
responsibilities of the high station to which have beer
called must be INDUCED in expression of my profound
gratitude towards my fellow citizens for the signal mark
their confidence in selecting to fill the first office in he
g-a compliment rendered the more fatering because
the circumstance of their intimate personal acquaintance
with me, acquired through years of public service
part important office, the duties which brought
in almost daily association with them Dsrusul of
capacity to discharge to their satisfaction the heavy
duties appertaning to this position SHALL nevertheless
deavor to make for their generous confidence
by maintaining the public honor and advancing the public
welfare, far my ability will admit. And 1 will fee
strengthened and encouraged the discharge of duty by
perfect derived from intimate Acquaintance
with the people of North Carolina that honesty of
and rectitude of intention in public officer price
by them than exalted talents and are the surest
discharge of these high duties at most interesting period
of our history.
In the extraordinary social progress that characerizes the
age, NorhlCarolina has borne her part crafty
to her citizens who ever take pleasure in her moral
well directed system of public education established
by law furnishes primary schools in all parts of terrific
ry that this day, every child Ct the State has thu
means of education placed within reach Through thu
benevolent enterprise of Individuals schools and college
established almost every county. The unfortunate
the afflicted too have been cared for and the Institution
for the deaf dumb and the blind and the Asylum fo
insane will prove enduring of the Christian
charity and vrtuous wisdom of your predecessors
Our educational system is but index to the state of
gion and morals among people. We may, without self
eXaltaon turn thankful hearts towards the Supreme
Being that their growth has so sgnay prospered in GU
that free and universal religious liberation which forms
distinguishing feature of government; and instead
the Earring of conflicting sects have the harmonious
of all denominations of Christians teaching the grea
truths of practical religion and introducing that moral train
their exercising properly the functions of segovernment
The material progress of the State has been fully in unso
our intellectual and moral Improvement North
lima has within her limits line of two thousand miles
inland navigation adapted the of either stear
sailing vessels which, with six hundred miles of railway
actual operation, affords convenient market facilities
teeouths of her population, spread over two-thrds
design the entire State in successful progress An
after all the expenditures from the public treasury
gratifying it is true that there exists amongst u.s. to-day
individual and public wealth than former period
Upon all whom the people have entrusted with power de
wolves the responsibility of fostering and protecting these
the most vital interests Of the State Happily for the pub
lie welfare, upon yourselves with whom all egsatiV
power this burthen principally can the gres
interests of the State be safely reposed with the repre-
# sentatives of the people.
Whenever Executive action may be proper in connecto
with these the varied interests of the State sha
be directed with object single to the public good and
cOrdng those principles already announced by TO tn
l. people upon various occasions.
indulge entire confidence that any efforts of min
to add to the efficiency and increase the usefulness Of
system of public education will be sustained by the cords
and unanimous approval of people, deeply the
impressed with the benefits derive from it, Upon tn
$, subject there is but wish, and enc desire.
Upon the subject of internal improvements there exist
/, diversity of public sentiment which fact well ca
cuated to give rise to the expectation that will max
known upon this OCCASION the views that entertain re
tive to further prosecution of public works. It'll upo
others that they have reason expect
al OF the sentiments entertained by the public servants
and explcitness becoming this solemn occasion
c. the important question under consideration