The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-01-20
..GoyERNoa .BROUGH's

Delivered before the Menu
bers OF the General AS
semaDIy of Ohio, and "a
large Asseanblage OF
Ladies'. Citizens,
and Soldiers. Ola
Monday, .saas.ary EAtis, 1861.
Gentlemen Of the Scuatc and House OF
Representatives:
Obedicnt to the mandate of the people,
[ appear before you to day to assume the
duties of Chief Magistrate OF the State OF
Ohio. | am not ignorant of the magni-
tude and importance of the position, nor
unmindful of my own want OF experience
aud ability to SO administer it, as to salts
fy the expectations Of the people who have
chosen me- Most gladly would | have
seen it's honors and duties imposed upon
some ADLER citizen of the State; and 1t is
with no ordinary degree of difidence that
assume to-day its iabors and responsibll-
tiles. l can only assure you, gentlemen,
and those you represent, that | bring to
this position fixed determination to dis
charge it's duties, to the best Of my ability
in a spirit of unyielding faithfulness and
integrity to the State, and impartlallty
and justice 10 the people.
There is significance in the recent eX-
preston of the popular will that relieves
us all from many Of the embarrassments
that usually attend such events. 1t her
aids no mere party triumph--it is No in
diyidual success. No mere partisan effort
could have achieved such victory; no
man in the State is worthy of, or could
have received. so sublime an ovation. 1t
is spontaneous declaration Of the intense
loyalty of our people to their government,
and bearing it with the stern command
ment that every energy OF their State, ana
every excrtion of its rulers, shall be given
TO the restoration of that government to
its original unity and power 1t not onl y
relieves US of all more partisan tram'nels
and affnities, but it commands US that, for
the time being, these shall be laid aside,
until the great purpose is accomplished
of restoring our couutry to position IN
which partisan contests may be indulged
without involving our nationality; and
party victories be won without their pos
siblc results giving encouragement to
rebels in arms against the supremacy oil
/ the Constitution and laws of the land
La that spirit accept the late declaration
of our common constituency; and humbly
thank them that, in this particular, they
have made my path easy and straight be
fore me.
While this national obligation is laid
| upon Us, it does not relieve US from the
further duty of guarding the local inter
ests, and promoting the prosperity OF oui
own State. This duty, to large extent
devolves upon tho Legislative body. /
fully share in the confidence of the people
who have called you from your respective
avocations in life, and committed to you
for the time being, the honor, the credit
aud the prosperity OF the State. In al
that can, aud properly may do, 1t Will
give me great pleasure to cooperate Will
you in the accomplishment of this grea
purpose.
The annual message of my worthy pre-
decessor, with the accompanying docu
ments, presents you, in concise and In
tclligible manner, the condition of eu1
| State affairs. His recommendations art
worthy of, and will undoubtedly receive
! your careful consideration. HIS arduou
| labors have contributed, in no small de
gree, to the gratifying results presented Il
YOU; and it is pleasing reflection that th'
people of the State will be able to follow
him into his present retirement from ex
ecutive duties, with the grateful plaudl
of swell done good and faithful servant.
1t will be an able Ting pleasure to me, II
at the end of my own brief service,
shall be able to attain alike his usefulness
and his reward.
1t is not less gratifying than honorable
to the State that we have been able TO pas
through the third year of an expensive
and sanguinary war, in the full perform
ance of all our duties to the National Gov
ernment, without impairing, in any man
ner, the prosperity of the State, or op
pressing our people by burthensom OF ex
cessivc taxation.
The financial condition of the State il
highly satisfactory. The currency Is IL
a sound condition The AGRICULTURAL in
dustrial and commercial interests of th'
State were ncvsr more prosperous. The
state mas Oeeh proIcc'co, WIN '"?'
exception, from invasion, and the desola
ting ravages of war have not spread them
selves within our limits. At the same
time the great institutions of education
land benevolcnce. which constitute ma
terial element of our pride and strength
have not been encroached upon or i'm
paired. Our schools and colleges-onl
seminaries of learning-our arts and sci
ences-our noble Institutions for the re
flief and instruction of the stricken por
tion of our people-our public works
all these have been fostered, encouraged
aud protected, as though war had not ex
listed in the land. While we have abun
dant cause in this, not alone for self graf
ulation, but of devout thankfulncss tt
that Divine Providence that rules in the
affairs of nations as of individuals, WI
may learn of it the obligations of duty
that, by wise administration We secure t
the future, as far as human effort can de
so, the blessings we have enjoyed IN the
past.
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