Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-01-05

tefWarQS CalleU TO OrQef Oy MT speaker clark.
There not being quorum-twenty members on
ly being present.
On motion of Mr., Bledsoe, the Senate took re-
cess till quarter to IL o'clock.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The House also met at 10 o'clock, and was called
to order by Mr.. Speaker Settle.
Henry Mordecai ESQ.,, Commoner elect from
Wake county, to fill the vacancy occasioned BY the
resignation of Ed. G. Haywood, ESQ.,, presented his
credentials took the requisite oaths, was duly quail
flied and took his seat
There being no quorum present. the House took
a recess till quarter to - o'clock.
At quarter to 70 o'clock, both branches reas-
sembled.
In the SENATE, Mr.. Steele, from the joint select
committee to make arrangements for the Inaugural
ton of Gov Ellis, offered report which was adopted
In the HOUSE, similar report was offered by Mr.
Baird, of Buncombe, which was adopted.
A message was received from the House proposing
to proceed with the inauguration and inviting the
members of the Senate to seats in the House Con-
Cured in and the Senate proceeded to the House in
the order of the programme, led by the Speaker
and Principal Clerk, and took the front seats to the
right Of the Speaker.
INAUGURATION OF GOV. ELLIS
The attendance of spectators was considerable, ia
king into account the unfavorable weather, which
had not the effect, however, of keeping away all of
the fair seX-about dozen of whom were in the
gallery.
Shortly after 70 O'clock Gov Ellis accompanied by
Ex-Gov. Bragg, Ex-Gov. Swain, Chief Justice Pear
son, Justices Battle and Ruffin and the Committee
of Arrangements entered the hall and took their al
lotted places-Gov. Ellis occupying the Clerks desk
with Ex-Gov. Bragg and Chief Justice Pearson
Justices Battle and Rutfin, Ex-Gov. Swain and the
Committee of Arrangements occupied the seats i'm
medately in front of the Speakers stand Speakers
Clark and Settle occupied the Speakers seat. The
members othc House took the seats to the left of the
Speakers and in the of the Senators on the
right.
Speaker Clark now formally announced that the
election in August last had resulted in the choice of
Hon. John W. Ellis, that he had been informed of
his election, had accepted the appointment, and was
now present to take the oaths required by law.
Gov. Ellis then addressed the Assembly as fol-
lows:
Fellow- Citizens
of the Senate and House of Commons:
The ceremony in which we are about to engage,
presents fitting occasion to render our humble ac-
acknowledgements to Almighty God, for the many
cal and political blessings that we have enjoyed
der His Providence.
This day we have assembled as free people,
through our 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
from the people only
Based upon this great principle, our political Or
ganizaton, formed though it was in the most
propitious hour of doubtful revolution has, under
Divine superintendent, been sustained and pre-
served through almost an entire century; securing
to our people the blessings of peace and present
ing at stated periods prescribed by law, the spec
tacle We allowed to look upon to-day From
the Inauguration of the government to the present
time one Chief Magistrate after another has quietly
departed from office, upon the expiration of his
term and his successor has been duly installed
without disturbance commoton, and with the
ready acquiescence of united people.
the earth, beyond the circle of American States
possessing forms of government similar to our own
have been convulsed by internal violence and dis
cord In many of them revolution has rapidly sue
cceded revolution and war has followed fast in the
footsteps of war; dcvourng with rapacity 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 controlled the af-
fairs of men as to avert from this people the caami
ties that have bef,len 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 efectng for us so dstin-
gushing happiness.
1t is this government of the popular will, as as
certained through the medium of the majority, that
has secured to this uninterrupted peace this
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 MAORI.
ty commends itself to the judgments of men, and
nv RAW offpri
through conviction of its justice, the quiet acqui
escence of the minority. There is a moral force de-
rived from the well ascertaincd judgment of ma
jority of intelligent freemen before which no re-
sistance of faction can 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, we of the solid founda-
tons upon which rests domestic tranquility:
And this peace at home is the most reliable safe
guard against those external dangers to which ma
tons are liable, since under its gentle influences
prosper most the great material interests of the peo
ple which constitute that wealth. in which lies the
strength of the State. But the superiority over
others of government of the majority is not alone
manifested by our own successful example, or the
example of those States associated with US in 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 are
Transporting in the present, enabled to meas
ure the triumphant march of democratic principles
in every land, and among every people where the
| lights of civilization have reached, dissolving 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 accountable
for their actions, has not denied them the capacity
for selfgovernment and control
The just powers of the people are now being wide
ly felt and acknowledged and it is plain to be
that the current of governmental reforms at least
in civilized countries is democratic in its tenden-