Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1863-03-21
MAYOR SMITHS INAUGURAL.
Gentlemen of the Council:

"
shall pass Tor an Inaugural. 1t is source
OF regret that | am possessed Of 90 little
accurate information in relation to city
matters OF the past year. 1t would have
been my wish to review the past so that
l might predicate thereon some remarks
in relation to the future. But ar com.
pensated for this lack of knowledge in the
tact that III ost OF the gentlemen WHO were
custodlnns OF the peoples interest last
year have been returned by an approving
majority TO renew their guardianship for
the coming year. General reputation has
spoken we'll of your efforts heretofore
the people by their votes have indicated
their trust in you for the future The
characteristic policy which governed the
last Council, as l understand it, was a
conscientious desire to discharge all obi
cations aud Indebtedness of the city with
a careful and judicious economy in rela.
ton to expenditures. And you will gen.
tIemen allow me to suggest that this be
our policy for the future, for if there ever
was a time in the history of our City,
State and Nation, and in the history of
individuals for the full exercise of the
principles Of retrenchment and economy,
that time is now.
Don't understand me as being opposed
to much needed improvements. The
manifold advantages of general improye.
ments in which the whole city are con.
cerned and which subserves the interest
of the whole-as proper grades for our
principle thoroughtares and suitable
draining for the same. with sidewalks
kept IN thorough repair, and additional
ones made if much needed, sre Sufficient.
ly apparent to secure alm ost unanimous
approval.
In all we do, lie. US give a kind and An
attentive ear to the pubic-who~e SER
wants we are. While we cannot expect
the appreciation Of all, yet or acts should
al least merit and receive a broad and
we'll understood sanction Of the general
pubic in whose behalf we are acting II
they do not we may well distrust their
expedeucy and propriety. And gentle
men, permit me to add that while YOU nre
kindly listening to the suggestions Of =
generous public, and making those .ug.
gestions basis Of your official action.
that you cultivate the utmos, harmony and
cordiaIity of feeling between yourselves.
An honest and manly endeavor to see n
thing sinSly and for itself, with q cores
pondlng eqnanlmity Of temper, is an
eHectual barrier against that unwholesoms
bias OF mind that is contented with moth
ing else but to subserve the purposes Of
faction and discord
| cannot allow this opportunity to pass
without congratulatlng YOU, and through
you the community. on the satisfactory
information so recently received shat our
city and our homes are to be protected -
feeling Of teverish APPREHENSION on the
part OF many, ard a discomfort TO all,
will, III a great measure subside, in view
of this new assurance of protection to the
frontier. We have every confidence in the
enterprise and ighing qualities Of tho
General Commanding, who makes this
city his Headquarters. We know it is his
earnest wish, If the means are furnished,
to chastse these insolent and mercilees
savages in a manner commensurate with
the horrible and almost nameless atroci-
ties which they have committed Blu.
however gratifying this assurance of pro-
lection may be, 1t should in no wise dim
inlsh our trust in our own resources. The
trus'y rifle or the double barrelIed shot
gun and revolver if possible, all ready
for use, should be an indispensable and
permanent fixture TO every household.
1t may not be inappropriate TO allude
to the general state OF the country. In.
deed 1t would be inexcusahe to overlook
our beloved country in this her hour of
peril and trial. The appelIation of good
citizen would be lost upon one who has
no ear to hear nor eye TO see. or heart to
appreciate the terrible ordeal through
winch we are passing. The fearful reap.
ordy Of those blood bought institutions
which we have held so long as a precious
lnherItance-a free Countrywide richest
boon ever vouchsated to man. Our rights,
our duties, our affections, our wants. and
the benehcent past, admonish us that all
we are and eXpt>. TO be we owe next to
God our common Father-to our country.
The man who would shirk the duties and
burdens which free country imposes
deserves the eNecraion and scorn of every
honest and honorable man. and what is
more .eitter sooner or later receives it
But there can be no possible disagreement
as 20 the obligations which rest upon US
citizens. The point of difference among
honorable minds are the different methods
OF procedure in treating questions and
events as they severalIy arise. We have
oil our tavorite notions of policy and it
frequently happens that our temporary
rulers do not represent them. But We
must remember that submission to the
constituted laws and authority is the only
basis of free government and society,"
and they who take issues for the avowed
purpose of obstruc,ing the legitimate
operations OF Government are factionists
in times of peace and traitors in times Of
war. The philosophy of the times if
properly understood and needed would be
to discard and ignore oil mere par,izan
views. Radical and extreme potiors Of
character should be held in
allegiance, and merged into the general
of our countrys safety and
good Our interest as citizens,
neighbors and friends are mutual. end all
party names are mere shams and impos-
tions which teach a contrary doctrine
What party name could reconpense you
or me if an alien enemy be permitted to
obs,ruct the mighty river that passes our
yonnc CITY or to ai Sip.aorata