Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-01-16
GOVERNOR BRADFORD'S.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS

The Hon. Augustus w. Bradford, who was
chosen Governor of Maryland for the term OF
four years. at the November election, was duly
inaugurated before both branches of the Lesis-
lature at Annapolis on the 9th instant. The
following is his inaugural address:
Fslloao- Citizens Of the Senate
and House of Delegates's
The present is one of those occasions periodi-
cally occurring in our political career that usu-
may be chiefly accredited to the fact that every
such spectacle seems to call to mind the value
and success of republican institutions, in recog-
nizing, as it were. the power of the people
peacefully to select and iuaugurate their poiti-
cal rulers by the simple expression of the voice
of the majority.
The emphasis with which that voice has
spoken in our recent election, and the majority
so unprecedented in previous political contests
indicate that some question of more than o,di-
nary interest has stirred the popular heart.
1t is cheering reflection to every patriotic
Marylander that the cause which has arou. .,ed
this aanular darees,s. -atita,s r.i ,,s;. /
| pie Of our State, with an ardor and unanimiiy
never before witnessed, is the cause now, as
ever, uppermost in their affections-the Federal
Union and the National Constitution.
10 preserve these institutions against the un-
hallowed efforts of those now engaged in the
attempt to subvert them is the purpose to which
the people of Maryland have emphaticaliy
pledged themselves in their recent election.
Turning deaf ear to every insidous appeal
calculated to divert them from that purpose, and
to the false issues invented to embarrass them,
| they have made known their unwavering attach
| RI tEa in, vbi how oG hy,
a vote such as no other cause ever did or can
command.
So long as the Federal administration shall
continue to devote, as we believe it has hitherto
| done, the powers at its command faithfully to
the accomplishment of the same national objects:
and, steadfastly resisting all attempts to msap-
ply these powers, shall continue honestly to ex-
ert them with the single and sacred purpose Of
sustaining the supremacy of the Constitution, so
long will Maryland, impelled by every instinct
OF interest and affection, unite as ardently she
does to-day in upholding the Union of which
she is proud to be the heart.
The sooner that those engaged in this rebel
lion come to understand that this is the posi-
! ton and unalterable determination of the peo-
pie Of Maryland, the better will it be for all
concerned.
There is good reason to believe that much
mischief has been already done, many ground
less hopes ingeniously excited, and the rebellion
itself stimulated and encouraged by the grossest
(ielusions existing abroad in reference to the
condition of popular sentiment in Maryland -
1t may be useless to speculate upon the circunl-
stances which have led to this deluson the one
perhaps which more than any other has contri-
buted to it, and caused those at distance tc
conceive that the public sentiment of our State
sympathized with this rebellion, has grown out
OF the prominent positions, political or personal
which those who really did so sympathze have
occupied or assumed. The State Legislature
usually supposed to reflect the popular will
would have indicated that three fourths Of our
people SIX months ago united in this sympathy;
yet with the exception of those who represent
ed the city of Baltimore, and who, five days af.
ter the April mob, were elected without the
notice required by the Constitution, every mem
Der of that Legislature was elected, as we all
know. more than year before South Carolina
passed her ordinance Of secession and so fal
from that body having ever been an index o
Maryland's sentiment, that sentiment on the
/ trst opportunity has indicated itself not only by
the unprecedented vote it has put on record, but
by result hardly less remarkable that, with
the single exception of one faithful Union mem
| Der, 1T has not left in your popular branch one
!
The people of other States have been misled
as to the true position of Maryland, not merely
by the declarations and proceedings of those
who, as delegates, were naturally supposed to
faithfully represent her, but the activity, the
pursuits, the social prominence and business re-
latons of those Of her people who espouse the
dlsunlon cause, added to their ceaseless and per-
sisteut efforts, have given to their action, espe-
cial!y with those at distance, an apparent
importance which their numbers never justified
They themselves almost seemed to fancy that as
the assumed representatives of social class they
outweighed the old-fashioned power of numbers
and were we'll calculated to create false impress
sons of our real condition
That condition was at all times sufficiently
manifest to those who would take the trouble to
seek for it through those sn,,rces from, which
the great channel of public sentiment is always
suppIled-the mighty masses pl our Industrial