The Yazoo Democrat., 1859-12-03
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GOVERNOR PETTUS'
INA URAL ADD.R e s

fore you take the oath of Office prescribed by the
Constitution Conforming to the custom which has
obtained on similar occasions in both, Federal and
State Governments, propose briefly, to present to
you some indications of the principles and policy
which are to govern the administration now being
inaugurated. 1t were needless for me to say here,
that will obey the Constitution for that must be
said by all who govern this people, in a more sol
emn form than mere public declaration yet it
might be appropriate TO dwell for moment ON this
leading feature Of the American system OF govern.
mentJ In the republics of ancient times, unbri
oiled malorities often Ut just and tyrannical as
the most despotc monarchs, booming to death or
Punishment the wises and best of their citizens at
the capnce of an excited populace. We, more for
tunate, have our rights defined by written organ
c law, which holds in check excited maiorties of
Legislatures and people, until the "sober second
thought" comes to the aid of Justice and minori-
ties and individuals may repose in safety as long
the people have intelligence and virtue enough
among them to uphold the Constitution in letter
and spilt. Entertaining these opinions, it shall
be my studlous care to obey the requirements the
Constitution, and to exert all the power given me
as Governor, to enforce obedience to its behests.-
For governments like ours, the intelligence of the
people is the only secure foundation without it,
republics are but houses built upon the sand. The
education of the youth should then be regarded as
V',ItCJ VI VIC uISb " OC plOuiOeu
the untilng efforts of those who govern the State
Upon our success in this rest all the hopes that can
be reasonably entertained of the stability of our
institutions. An unwlse government makes an
unhappy ana powerless people An ignorant peo-
pie cannot govern themselves wisely For these
reasons it will afford me pleasure to cooperate with
the Legislature in giving that prominence which it
Justly deserves to the clause in our Constitution
which declares " that schools and the means of ed
ueaton shall forever be encouraged in this State "
What education is to the Government, an en-
lghened agriculture is to the pecuDIarY prosperi-
ty of the State the heart from which flows the
life giving, blood through every artery of the IN
dustral stem. Check its pulsations, and all 9th
er branches of industry langush, invigorate and
strengthen it, and new life and vigor are dfused
through every trade and profession that make up
the industrial avucations of men. 1t is u matter o
congratulaGon with all who think wisely for The
good of the State and the prosperity OF the people
that this noblest branch Of human industry is al
last receiving from the Government part of thai
attention which it has always deserved Ano
hopes confidently entertained that the light o
science will speedily be brought to the AID of the
\ husbandman throughout the land, and many usefu
fearless victories" will be won on that field fol
the benefit OF all Too much Importance cannot
be given to this subject and the Legislature c, ult
hardly err in making the most liberal applopria
tons for its advancement.
The most delicate trust conferred on the Execu
, tive, is .hat which brings to him the undivided
. responsibility (Which he may not share with an,
other Department. Of setting aside the judgmen
OF courts and verdicts of juries. aud staying III
execution of the criminal law Believing that tn
p.rdoDng power was given to the Governor tina
the ends of justice might be more surely attained
shall ever keep this in view as the cardinal poin
to be aimed at in its administration. Justice j
beautiful, and it shall be done, If by searching
may find out
Among the most important powers conferred o.
the Chief Magistrate, is the veto power. The in
; tellgence and wisdom Of the Legislature have ren
dered the exercise of this power of rare oceurrene
for several years past and indulge the hope tha
the unpleasant necessity for its interposlton ma
not arise during my term Of office But should
become necessary by the presentation of legslatio
for my approval, which, in Uy opinion is either IN
constitutional or improvdeEt, shall deem 1t dt
ty which owe to myself, to the people who hav
hOnored and trusted me- ind who have impose
upon me responsibility to them alike with tha
OF the Legislative department. for the passage OF a
legislation which is to effect their interests-re;
), dectvely to ask the Legislature to reconsider 1t be
" fore it becomes n law.
In regard to the system of Internal Improvement
o in this State now so rapidly progressing to con
pletion, will only say that co-opeIated as leg
lslator with those who aided them most; and nov
as Governor, tender my continued corporation
any lust measure which may be devised for the
advancement and completion. ltseems but yeste
day, when Mississippi was tainted with being b.
hind her sister States in works Of internal improve
ment bat. considering her age as State, only
, few years will elapse before she is the foremost
all in this respect, we hope one day to zee her
everything that makes a State great pro;perOl
It and happy.
|, As Misslssippians, we may we'll look with Plea
ure and pride at the rapid strides by which OF
State is approaching the front rank among her 81
ter States and draw encouragement from the pas
c to renewed efforts for her Advancement. But II o.
efforts in that behalf tend only to enrich and ado
d her, to become a magnificent part OF the eonque
h which is to result from that ' iTepresslble col
q fiet" must confess that would look with b
i little pleasure and less pride on her growing grea
d ness.
l. cannot consent to close this address wltho
e giving to my fellow citizens, my views in RELATE
d to the most important subject ever presented for
# consideration of the people Of Mississippi. 7.
difference in opinion between the Northern al
Southern States on the subject of African slave
grew rapidly to an angry CONTROVERSY then tc
political conflict, and recently, has assumed
form physical conflict in one OF the Southt
States. While it is true, that the handful who tn
rashly attempted to put the Black Republican ere
into practical operation in slave State, have be
= crushed it is equally true, that in this, IS IN ma
ms other instances of the administration OF human j.
at tce, the Andrie's only are hanged whilst the
Is nolds escape punishment and are lett uncheck
in their career Of treason to their country
The scene at Hnrper's Ferry is not the Ell
h. but in my opinion only the beginning OF
Id end of this conflict. will not wealy your |
ms tience with the oft repeated history Of the orig
rs and progress of this controversy. 1t is enou
for my present purpose to state the fact that
We ter more than twenty years of untlrlng labor,l
ed anti-sIavery party has obtained the control
eir the State Governments of nearly all the nc
:, saveholding States. And while churches, so
lily cites and Individuals at the No.th are incitl
On the people to acts of lawess violence in resist
the Law for the return Of fugitive slaves; wi
Co. thets robberies and murders are being commi
ed within their limits to defeat its execute
those State governments either aid them in tn
nefarious work, look approvingly on. or at b
stand idly by without any serious effort to P
,no vent this continued violation Of tie constitute
oe al rights of Southern citizens or punish tn
her who violate them. The Federal Government
el- which we formerly looked for Che protection
md our rights beyond the limits of our own ST
ip Gems either unwilling or unable to guard
rights or radrcss tho wrongs Of slave hold
Bn.. he this as il may that government