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

citizens for the signal mark of their confidence
in selecting me to fill the first office in their gift-a
compliment rendered the more flattering because of
the Of their intimate personal acquaint-
ancc with me- acquired through years of public SER
vice on my part in an important Office the duties of
winch brought me in almost daily association with
them. Distrustful of my own capacity to discharge
to their satisfaction the heavy duties appertaining to
this position, shall, nevertheless endeavor to make
some return for their generous confidence by MAIN
tanning the public honor and advancing the public
welfare; as far my ability will admit And will
feel strengthened and encouraged in the discharge of
duty, by perfect assurance, derived from an init
mate acquaintance with the people of North Carolina,
that honesty of purpose and recttude of intention in
public officer are more priced by them than exal
ted talents and are the surest passports to their
confidence and esteem. come, gentlemen, to the
discharge of these high duties at most interesting
period of our history.
In the extraordinary social progress that charac-
terizes the age, North-Carolina has borne her part
in manner gratifying to her citizens, who ever
take pleasure in her moral and physical advance
ment.
A well directed system of public education, es-
tablished by law furnishes primary schools in all
parts Of our territory so that at this day, every
within its reach. Through the benevolent enter
prise of individuals schools and colleges for nstruc-
ton in the higher branches of learning have been
established in almost every county. The unfortu-
nate and the afflicted too have been cared for and
the Institution for the deafand dumb, and the blind
and the Asylum for the insane, will prove enduring
monuments of tho Christian charity and virtuous wis
dom of your predecessors.
Our educational system is but an index to the
state of religion and morals among our people
We may, without selfexaltaton, turn our thankful
hearts toward the Supreme Being that their growth
has so signaly prospered in our midst We are
now in the full enjoyment of the rich fruit of that
free and universal religious federation which forms
a distinguishing feature of our government; and,
instead of the jarring of conflicting sects, we have
the harmonious action of all denominations of Chris
tians in teaching the great truths of PRACTICAL reli
gion, and introducing that moral training among
the people, which is an essential preparation to
their exercising properly the functions Of selfgov
eminent
The material progress of the State has been fully
in unison with our intellectual and moral improve
ment. h-Carolina has now within her limits
line of two thousand miles of safe inland naviga-
tion adapted to the uses of either steam or sailing
vessels, which, with six hundred miles of railway,
in actual operation affords convenient market facili-
ties to threeourhs of her population, spread over
two-thrds of her territory. Other public enter
prises embracing in their design the entire State
are now in successful progress And after all the
expenditures from the public treasury, necessary
to the accomplishment of those objects it is fact
gratifying as it is true that there exists amongst U.S.
to-day, more Individual and public wealth than at
any former period.
Upon all whom the people have entrusted with
power devoves the responsibility of fostering and
protecting these the most vital interests of the State
Happily for the public welfare upon yourselves,
with whom is all legislative power, this burthen
oIIv- yharo Tho int
of the State be safely reposed as with the repre-
sentatives of the people
Whenever Executive action may be proper in
connection with these any of the varied interests
of the State it shall be directed with object sim
gle to the public good and according to those prin
cipes already announced by me to the people upon
various occasions.
I indulge an entire confidence that any efforts of
mine to add to the efficiency and increase the use
fitness of our system of public education will be
sustained by the cordial and unanimous approval of
our people; so deeply are they impressed with the
benefits derive from it. Upon this subject there
is but one wish, and one desire.
Upon the subject of internal improvements there
exists some diversity of public sentiment which
fact is we'll calculated to give rise to the expectation
that l will make known, upon this occasion, the
views that entertain relative to further prosecu
ton of our public works. It is upon questions
Others that they have reason to expect
ed avOwal of the sentiments entertained by the
public servants. shall endeayer to acquit myself
of this duty with drectness and explicitness be-
coming this solemn occasion, and the important
question under consideration
The views which recently expressed relative to
these enterprises upon frequent occasions to the pub
c were such as had been maturely considered after
due reflection upon the wants of the State and our
to deveopemcnt of our natural resources; and
after careful review of them, have reason now
to offer for their modification
Much as has been done towards the physical de-
velopment of the State, some of our chief sources
of wealth have not yet been reached. 1t NAV adj
NIT of doubt whether the iron interest for example,
capable as it certainly is of expansion is in more
f1ourishing condition now than when the foundries
of Lincoln forged cannon ball that were employed
in the battles of the revolution; while our meas
ures of mineral COAL leading article in the worlds
commerce have only been sufficiently explored to
manifest our neglected riches An agricultural re-
gon too, of undoubted capabilities and embracing,
perhaps, fourth part of territory, has thus far
made but limited progress because of its exclusion
from the markets Of the world.
Due reflection upon facts like these, can leave but
little doubt of the policy which our true interests
dictate. A great work has been more than half &C.
Sdse Cu0Vi piiSe, NIsely piVjcCteu
a view to system of our own, has, after years Of
toll, and the expenditure of several millions Of mon.
ey, been forwarded well nigh to completion; and
the citizens of this generation are called upon to
perform their share of this labor in which is cen.
tered the most cherished hopes of the State and for
which we will have our chief claim upon millions
that will come after us, for their gratitude and
thanks.
The stern requirements of progressive civiliza-
ton impel to prosecute steadily enterprises like
these, which are but such as have been accomplished
by other enlightened States, and at this day are re-
garded as essential to the social advancement of a
people. Standing as we do, full in the MONDAY
sun of the civilization of the nineteenth century,
cannot, consistently with the dignity of our own
high position abandon works such as have received
the approval of intelligent men in all countries, and
which stand forth as the selfevident agents in effect
ing the most wonderful progress in the moral social
and political condition of nations that at any time
marks the history of the world
AL T ;noo