M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1862-01-23
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Gentlemen Of n: Senate and

duties Oi lie 0thce 10 whcn generous and
copiiding people have assigned me, lit will
be expected, and it is proper that should
announce to you my views upon the leading
subjects now occupying public attention.
The high duties and responsibilities per-
timing to the office Of Chief Executive of
our Slate OF this time, are duly appreciated
and, were it not for the fact that purpose
calling to my assistance men Of known high
aloral worth and large experience, ] would
shrink from the tash; but, with such aid,
aud with the full belief that those, whose
servant | am, will demand only an honest
aud yiglant effort, will undertake the per.
formance of these duties.
Upon the great and al-absorbing question
Of the day-the war for the maintenance Of
our National existcnce--my position is, per-
haps sufficiently understood. lam indebted
TO the friends of our Union for their generous
selection, mainly, from the we'll known fact
that was unwilling TO surrender every
thing but honor, 10 quell the unholy rebel
lion.
Tile more reflect upon this important mat.
ter, the more thoroughly am | convinced
that the future welfare OF ourselves, our chill,
dren and our chidren's children. depends
upon preserving, at all hazards, the integrity
Of our National Union--maintaining it under
the Constitution, as our fathers gave it to us,
To be free, prosperous and happy people,
we must have domestic quiet, and our com.
merce must be projected Throughout the
world. To secure these blessings, the Union
Of the States was formed and to maintain
them, the Union of the States must be pre-.
served. In no other way can we hope 10 de-
monstrate 10 the world that man is fit for
self GOV emmett
ii this Union cen not be preserved, we will
be compelled to resort to some other form Of
government, and thereby confess that our ia.
theirs were mistaken, in claiming for their
children ability to govern themselves. lam
proud to know that our constituents thus view
the issue now made for us and so highly do
they prize the blessings Of self government,
that they are most cheerhllly willing to bear
every exaction that may be required Of them
Tor that purpose.
AS their. agents, then, for the time being
we should exert our best energies TO the gal
lant and liberal support Of the officers OF the
National Government in their efforts to re-
store that Government 10 its former grandeur,
and to protect and maintain most magnifi'
cent Union and Constitution against all foes,
whether domestic or foreign.
( am most happy to be able 10 express the
opinion. that The helm Of State OF our Ma
itioneh GSycrnmsHp. is ia honest, pure and
patriotic hands that President Lincoln
! seeks, and is determined, to conduct the wal
with On eye single to the speedy restoration
OF the Government to its former harmony
and vigor, irrespective of the influence this
may have upon the domestic Institutions OF
any OF the States.
In this glorious work, the people Of Ohio
have most nObly done their duty thus far
laying aside all party prejudices and partial.
tiles, they have more than met the calls made
upon them for men and money and, not
content with this, they are still willing and
eager to meet any further demands upon their
means and patriotism. Let us look to it,
then, that in our action we do not dsappoint
the expectations they entertained, when, lay.
ing aside all considerations, save a deter.
mined, liberal and vigorous support of the
National Government, they committed 10 our
hands the vast responsibilities now resting
upon us.
Ohio must, in all time TO come, be able to
claim for herself a just share of the burden
and glory OF putting down this rebellion. In
my opinion, this object can be accomplished
only by bringing 10 condign punishment the
leaders Of the febellion, aud satisfying their
misguided followers, by firm and generous
policy, that we seek, not the destruction OF
any of their domestic institutions, but only
the maintenance and enforcement Of the Con-
stitutIun and laws of the nation--a Consti-
tuton which their fathers with ours, handed
down to us, " ith the solemn injunction tha!
we, together, should ever maintain and de-
lend the same. These mercenary and wicked
leaders, governed BY unhallowed ambition for
place and power, being securely disposed of,
iheir deluled followers may be expected TO
return again to their loyalty. Surely, with
such purpose only in view, with unstinted
means in men aud money, managed by brave,
gallant and accomplished officers, like those
at the head OF our armies, the struggle can
be neither long nor doubtful.
To insu:e an early triumph of our arms,
we should not, either in word or manner,
Withhold our conf lence from those in whose
hands the command OF our forces is placed
II is cruel to impugn The motives and acts
of those who are laboring with zeal aud in
pgrily TO preserve and protect our best inter-
esls the man who will do this, without
cause, should be avoided by all good men.
Fortunately, we have nothing to distract
or divide our attention and energies from
vigorous prosecution Of the war; at peace
with all foreign powers, without questions Of
moment to setlle with any, we hope to main.
tain kind and amicabe relations with all.
The magnanimi:y. cOOlness and diplomatic
skill of the President and his advisers.
eyrced in the settlement of the delicate
queslisns growing out Of the seizure of Ma
son and Slidell, afford sufficient guarantee
that our honor and interests, so lar as they
are involved in our intercourse with foreign
nations, are in safe hands.
In view of the importance to the welfare
and happiness Of the people of both Govern.
ments, that friendly feelings should exist be-
tween them, it is to be regretted that Great
Britain should have demanded the surrender
of these men; but the temand having been
made, our Government could not maintain
its proud character for consistency. without
Yielding to the demand for, in the language
of Mr.. Secretary Seward, we are asked to
do to the British nation Just what we have
always insisted all nations ought to do ~
us"