The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-01-11
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
HON JOHN w. ELLIS,
Delivered on taking the oaths Of the Office of Gov
ernor of North Carolina, Jan. l, 1859.
OF THE

The ceremony in which we are about to engage,
presents fitting occasion to render our humble &C
acknowledgements to Almighty God, for the many So
cial and political blessings that we have enjoyed
under His Providence.
This day we have assembled as a free people,
through representatives, to witness succession
in the Office of Chief Executive Magistrate of the
State succession which, like those preceding it,
being effected by the free action of the popular
will, presents to the world renewed evidence,
that with us, all political power is vested in and
derived freq, the people only"
Based upon this great principle, our political or
ganization, formed though it was in the most I'M
proptious hour of doubtful revolution, has, under
Divine superintendent, been sustained and pre-
served through almost an entire century; securing
TO people the blessings of peace, and present
ing at stated periods as prescribed by law, the
spectacle we allowed to look upon to-day. From
the inauguration of the government to the present
time one Chief Magistrate after another has quiet
ly departed from office, upon the expiration of his
term and his successor has been duly installed,
without disturbance or commOtion, and with the
ready acquescence of united people
During the same period almost all the nations OF
the earth, beyond the circle of American States,
possessing forms of government similar to our own,
have been convused by internal violence and dis
cord In many of them revolution has rapidly sue
ceeded revolution and war has followed fast in the
footsteps of war, devourng with rapacty the blood
and substance of their distracted people.
While these obvious truths of history incline our
hearts with gratitude towards the Supreme Ruler
of the Universe that He has so controlled the af-
fairs of men as to avert from this people the calam
ties that have befalen others, they induce pleas
ing contemplation of those principles of our govern
ment that have been made the instruments in the
hands of Providence, of efecting for us so distn-
gushing happiness.
q IL.
certaned through the medium of the majority, that
has secured to us this uninterrupted peace, this I'M
broken repose with all their attendant social and
domestic blessings. Indeed, it is difficult to per-
ceive how such government, so long as the people
themselves continue virtuous and intelligent, can
ever be shaken by internal violence.
Founded in natural reason, the will of the majOri
ty commends itself to the judgments of men, and
receives a united support, by drawing after it,
through conviction of its justice the quiet acqui
escence of the minority There is a moral force de-
rived from the we'll ascertained judgment of ma
iority of intelligent freemen, before which no re-
sstance of faction prove dangerous, and over
which no cause of rebellion can ever triumph. And
it is not to be supposed, that an enlightened
people would, at any time, resort to the irregular
means of force to effect desired change in govern
ment, when the same might be accomplished by
peaceful methods entirely at their discretion.
Well assured, then, of the solid founda-
ton upon which rests our domestic tranquility.
And this peace at home is the most reliable safe
guard against those external dangers to which
tions are liable since under its gentle influences
prosper most the great material interests OF the peO
pie which constitute that wealth, in which lies the
strength of the State But the superiority over
others of government of the ma Ority is not alone
manifested by our own successful example. or the
example of those States associated with us III the
American Union. The common consent OF mankind
furnishes testimony in behalf of popular govern
ment. We occupy at the present time stand point
in history from which, looking back upon events
that have passed and around upon those that arc
transporting in the present, we are enabled to meas
ure the triumphant march of democratic principles
in every land, and among every people where the
lights of civilization have reached, dlssolvlng as
they progress those mists that have hung around
the minds of men, enchanting, for long ages, the
human intellect in the strong bonds of prejudice,
and illustrating the beautiful consistency of the
Creators wisdom, who, as He holds men accounta-
BILE for their actions, has not denied them the ca
pacity for selfgovernment and control.
The just powers of the people are now being wide
" felt and acknowledged; and it is plain to be seen
that the current of governmental reforms at least
in civilized countries is democratic in its tenden
cies: and in all States like own where the mind
has freedom of action, and men are left to follow
the convictions of the judgment, these tendencies
are more decided and unequivocal In their charac-
ter.
Believing the democratic to be the true theory of
government, shall ever regard an extension OF It's
teachings amongst us a public blessing Con
WINGED of the truth of the principle it involves, l
do not fear its universal application; and, following
principle, would willingly see the popular will
brought to bear directly, and without the nterven-
ton of agents, upon all questions touching the
practical operations of our government, where the
same may not be rendered impossible by the inter
position of merely physical causes
Entertaining these sentiments, | can, with entire
satisfaction congratulate you upon recent advance
made in popular government in our own State. AT
the late elections the people for the first time
permitted to exercise the privilege of free and uni
versa suffrage; and certainly the result furnishes
no circumstance calculated to create apprehensions
for the welfare of our political institutions.
In appearing before you to-day, gentlemen, to
assume the responsibilities of the high station to
which have been called, must be INDUCED in an
expression of my profound gratitude towards my
for the signal mark ofther confidence
in selecting to fill the first office in their gift
a complement rendered the more fattering because
of the circumstance of their intimate personal ac
quaintance with me, acquired through years of pub
lie service on my part, in an important office, the
duties of which brought in almost daily assoca-
ton with them Distrustful of my own capacity
to discharge to their satisfaction the heavy duties
appertaining to this position SHALL nevertheless, ell
deavor to make some return for their generous con-
L. 1r1y fho hlIa md cd