Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-01-08
INAUGURAL OF GOVERNOR SMITH:

/ ENACGT hAL VI EUfEkNUk S1l1 HI.
Seventeen years ago / appeared in this
Capitol to take the oaths ofofhce asthe Gov
crnor elect Of tho Commonwealth Of Viz
gnia' By the permission Of God, and the
election of the people, am now here to re-
peat them. Entrusted by my conntrymen,
under the perilous circumstances wbieh sur
| round US. with the important duties which
I am about 10 assume think it altogether
fitting occasion. as hereby do, to express
ny most profound acknowledgements for
tbs gratifying and Distinguishing mark Of
their confidence hope / may deserve it:
certain it is, if my best efforts to accomplish
all that may be expected of me, within my
constitutional powers, will suffice, shall
not be disappointed.
On tie 18th day of September, 1887.
the Constitution Of the Uuitad States was
adopted by the Convention, and transmitted
by the President thereof, General Washing
ton, to the Congress Of the Confederation.
In his letter, he says, among other things,
| .'aud thus the Constitution which we now
present is thefeesult Of spirit of anlity
and Of that mutual Difference and conces-
sion which the popularity Of our political
situation rendered Indispensable. In the
concluding part of his letter, he also says:
aTAat il 1ili meet the full and entire APP
probation of every State, is not, perhaps,
10 be expected, but each will, doubtless, re-
collect that, had her interest been alone con
suited, the consequences might have been
particularly disagreeble or injurious to 9TH
er.
The Constitution, thus constructed, was
adopted BY the States at different periods,
bus eleven Of them having ratified it, the
Tth article thereof declaring that, "The
ratification Of the Conventions Of nine Stu.ss
shall be sufficient for the establishment of
this Constitution between the States 80 rat
flying tie saue" ! Tie government author
isets thereby was fully organized by the IT,
stsllstiol 0. President Washington, on the
30sh Of April, 1889. Flo vas elected unan-
iinously, but ten States oHly united in his
eiectian, North Carolina rem Inad out Of
this Union until the 2!st OF November,
1889, as Rhode TsIaud did until the 29sh Of
aalay, 1890 lis obvious si4t they were
sasegpiga STATES, complesa na,ioaaitiss, ard
uliga. haze hayv reiaaij.ed separate, f'frae
aad iad.psndeaI Ststea Uldana5ly, sha
olf Union, aaaof The avss Constitution,
Whiat took Us tr,umphxntly through the
revolutionary war, and To- WIN North Car
s'iua and Rhole Island ssaemed so anxious
tosadhcse. was Esolycd By the Withdrawal
pf'a majority of As mcmbcrs thereof, aud
auo;hsr substituted therefor. Was this se-
sessonl Let the facts sisted rive the re-
ply T. i right for per ton cf she
States to disregard or destroy . compact
with those Of their sssoci. ties WHO. withheld
"a refused their consent ALLOW me to
give short sius &c .ae consideration Of this
inquiry.
Is may be conceded that the Governments
formed By th. Articles Of Con federation was
wholly adequate for its essential purposes
that it sea1>! neither secure US the respect Of
foreign Powers, nor promote our prosperity
at houie True. i. had taken Us throu "a
tae Eeyo!ut:t.a, lat tLs stern necessities Of
our condition fred the hearts of the people,
aud they iortbore TO question power when
il way exsrc!sed for the purpose Of filing eur
ranks aud feeaing and clothing our gallant
sos,.i~rs The Declaration OF Independence
had eoaucated TO the world The right Of
pespl4 TO dissolve he political bands which
conceded saes, *iFk anofhsr.' and 80 al
fer or so,abo s," the existing form of gov
fyttavnt. .'aud 10 Institute new govern
iaaas, lsy-ng is foundation on such pginoi-
PIES AID >rgauizlng is powers ID such lorta
a*s II tt.saf. shall seem o.ost likely 10 OBJECT
ihsis safety and happiness AID, ID that
day. 10 one doubted tbs right TO reform The
existing zov,rnment aud rcplace it with
acoiAsF, Whenever any Of the parties 10 it
shoi.il &c 81 TO 90 so
st vas eonfdently CONCLUDED, by those
Tsso believe ia the progressive civilization Of
oar race, that our revolution had firmly es-
subli.ha this great right. 1t had been
distinctly proclaimed to the world, SO the
ground upon which the thirteen dependent
colonies Of Great Britain justified their ser
asatioa iron. 'ne -..-..:lF country, and the
Assusn pfloa Of the rights, ,,,ovcrs and duties
Of independent States The great struggle
led bien successfully fought upon it. Abs
docialsiion containing it, had passed inso
every civilized language Our ancestors
had acted apon it after their Independence
had seea recognized. President buchanan,
+ the predecessor OF si.o present Cl.ier Maeis-
srstc Of the uuitsd States, had declared that
tie Fcdeaai Government had 40 right to
make war upon seeding State Now was
this all The celebrated paper, tc which |
have SO often referred. not only distinctly
asserted the right Of separation, bat boldly
proclaimed it to be the duty, Of .be States,
whom it might concern, to exercise it,
Whenever, in their judgement. it was nec-
essary. L was confidently believed that
this great philosophical hight, which may,
sorJ properly. be called he right Of seces-
SAoh, 'foahl preseTe.j tie peace between the
parties y he con- pe.os. uader al oireuia.
stances, @a3 throughout All lime. kusw
there arc many persons who deny this right.
and yet admit tha; OF revolution Now. |
cannot TOO earnestly insist that the right Of
secession, practically recognized and admit
ted, is the guaranty Of peace; while the
region of revolution necessarily leads to civ
i war. One applies to Confederation Of
States, aud cannot be politically wrong; the
other acts within a Nation. aud is rarsI~
right Il is true, the power Of he parts IS
moi equal. to the power OF the whole: but
CHAT Of that Gouo.,rao,,~ -. -.