Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-01-16

GOVERNOR LANES INAUGURAL.
Gentlemen Of tie SHate and Horse Of Representatives
and Ftaoo Citizens:
The people of Indiana, in adopting their pres
ent Constitution, expressed their gratitude 10
Almighty God for the free exercise of the right
to choose their own form of government In order
10 establish justice, maintain public order, and
perpetuate the principles Of civil and religions
liberty. For the present enjoyment of these in
estimable rights and privileges; for the blessings
OF peace and order within our borders; for bOun-
tiill crops and for general hellth and prosperity
throughout the year which has just closed, our
most heartfelt thanks and gratitude, individually,
and collectively as people, are due to the same
almighty, aliwise, and benefceRt Being. / feel
the strongest degree Of confidence, Senator's and
Representatives. IN the belief that YOU WILL in
the exercise OF those high and important legisla-
tive powers with which YOU are invested by the
Constitution, be constantly governed bv strong
motives impelling You To adopt wise measures for
the advancement and maintenance of the true
interests OF the people OF the different sections of
Iniiana; and also by 4 patriotic desire to prevent
or aliay all unnecessary and injurious local pot-
cal excitement, and to promote and secure as far
as possible the general prosperity, safety, and
honor OF orr beloved State.
The annual reports of the several State officers
Tor the fiscal years ending In 1889 and 1850 have
been laid before both branches of the Legislature,
and these documents present an official exposition
OF the business and operations the various depart
ment OF the State government. They are worthy
OF, and Will doubtless receive, your most careful
examination and consideration, in order that the
proper legislative remedies may be applied Tor
the removal OF any detects that may be found 10
exist, either in the laws relating to these depart
ments or Ia the administration OF those laws. In,
tertaining as do the strongest confidence in the
honesty and capacity of the recently elected
Treasurer OF State; and without intending 10 cast
any rejection upon the official conduct OF any Of
his predecessors in Office still deem it proper at
tls time TO recommend to YOU such changes in
the law regarding he Treasures Office as viii
most electually prevent any mis- appropriation Of
the pubic funds, or their use for any purpose of
private speculation or gain and which shall insure
the availability and safety of money in the public
! treasury at all times. Changes calculated to
effect these desirable and important objects,
will receive my most cordial appreciation and sup
| port.
| Our common school system. from its impor
lance, demands and will doubtless receive your
careful consideration. 1t is believed that such
modification of the school law can be made as will
make the system more useful and less blrthen-
some TO the people. In your efforts to secure these
objects you may rely upon my cooperation.
From the report of the Auditor of Public Ac-
counts it appears that the total receipts from all
sources for the fiscal year ending the 3lst of DC
]
tai expenditures during the same period were 81 :
62l l0o H. leaving in the treasury at the close of
the fiscal year actual balance OF Sl34, 660 80.
From the same reportit appears that the domestic
debt of the State the 3lst of October amounted
to S2,00e 1873 80, and the foreign debt to 81 770,
! 2I3 %. By a careful revision OF ali the laws
which relate to the mode of conducting the finan-
cal affairs of the State, and by the application of
the most rigid economy TO all the various de
of -,
ent Legislature will, it is confidently believed,
be enabled to provide ways and means less
onerous and more eifectual than those which
have heretofore been in operation for the
gradual reduction and final extinction of our
State debt. In the administration of every de
partment of the State Government the strictest
economy that can be introduced consistently
with a steady maintenance of the public interest,
will be in accordance with the wishes and just
expectations of the people Of Indiana; and in all
your efforts to make provisions for faithful and
economical administration of the State Govern
ment, you viii have my earnest, active and hon
est cooperation and support. And in this con
nection permit me to suggest the importance of
nstitutng rigid inquiry, by joint committee
of the Senate and House of Representatives into
the past management and present condition of the
various benevolent institutions of the State, and
also of our State prisons; and if extravaganza
and mismanagement are found to exist in the
administration of either or all of those institu-
tons to take such steps as shall in future prevent
a recurrence of such abuses. The honor and in
terests of the citizens of the State of Indiana
alike demand thorough investigation in refer.
ence TO the manner in which the swamp lands
given to the State by the Congress of the United
States have been disposed of.
The importance of a well organized and
thoroughly drilled militia, in the present critical
condition of our National affairs, can not be
over estimated and l will most heartily concur
with you in any measures which you may devise
for the purpose of giving greater efficiency 10 the
present very defective militia laws of our State
A possible, q hope not probable,) contingency
may arise during the present session of the Leg
slature, which will make it necessary and proper
for YOU to appropriate sum sufficient TO equip
portion of the Indiana Militia for the purpose oil
aiding in the prompt execution of the laws, and
in the maintenance of the Government IL this
contingency shall occur during your session
doubt not that you viii meet it in a spirit becom-
ing freemen and patriots
The present laws in relation to the mode oil
conducting elections are not sufficient to protec
the purity of the ballotbox nor to prevent fraud;
upon the inestimable privilege of the elective
franchise; and | therefore recommend such a re
i vision and change of the election laws as will
: most effectually accomplish these objects.
Within the last few months, gentlemen of the
Senate and House of Representatives, We have
been compelled TO be unwilling witnesses of tn,
rapid progress of certain events which have seri
ously threatened the integrity of the Constitution
and disturbed the harmony of the Union. In
few of the Southern States a reasonable conspi
racy, originated by pestilent demag0gues, ha,
been allowed to grow and spread UNPUBLISHED anC
even unrebuked until, overrating its own strength
and vastly undertaking the patriotism of the PEG
pie it assumed form and bodness Immediately
l.. 4
cares its objects to be the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of th,
United States and the founding of Southern
Confederacy of seeding States. To those wh'
have carefully observed the rise and progress o
this scheme of treason, il is evident that com
promises or concessions, which the people of th'
United States ought 20 make, in order 10 presery'
the peace of the country, would be sufficient q
satisfy the disunionists of South Carolina; and
regret TO saw that il seems be almost certain tina
the people of few of the Southern States ar
inclined, if not determined, TO resist, By arme'
force, any attempt TO hold South Carolina, o
any other seeding State, in the Union, by meani
of the military and naval forces of the Unite
States. But, Notwithstanding the extraOrdinar,
and reasonable proceedings and partial success
of large class of disuni0nsts. do not, at pres
ent believe ii viii become necessary TO use an.
considerable part of the military power OF Oh
National Government, in order TO punish over
acts VI trcdeoh i'll al. pdft Vi 'hC oihOH ~
citizen of the Union is under an obligation TO de
fend the country, and its Constitution and laws
against the attacks of foreign enemies and thu
assaults of domestic traitors; and if ever major
ity of the people of the United States shall delib
erately repudiate this patriotic obligation, an'
shall wilfully and submissively permit treason L
walk abroad in fair land, defy our Constitution
and laws, and assail our National Government
then our once magnificent, powerful and fIaterna
Union viii sink into a state of hopeless anarchl
and decay, and thus expose to the nations of th'
e1rth chaotic mass of mighty ruins, upon which
the friends OF free popular government through
out the world, may look with sorrow and despair
Ny faith in the power of American patriotism
compe!s me 10 hope that majority of the Cit
zens Of those States in which the greatest amour
of angry excitement now prevails, will be found
in the hour OF trial. ready TO support and desenC
the constitutional authorities of the government
OF the United States, 20 battle and defeat all thu
mad schemes OF traitors and disunonists, TO re
establish, in their respective States, the majesty o
the laws and the supremacy of the Constitution
and To save our beloved country from The horrors