The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-01-20

Gentlemen of the Senate
and House of Representatives
! Obedient to the mandate of the people, I
appear before you to-day to assume the du-
ties of Chief Magistrate of the State of Ohio,
am not ignorant of the magnitude and i'm
portance of the position. nor unmindfnl of
my own want of experience and ability to SO
administer it. as to satisfy the expectations of
thea people who have chosen me. Most
gladly would / have seen its honors and di-
ties imposed upon some abler citizen of the
State; and il is with no ordinary degree of
difidence that assume to day its labors and
responsibilities. / can only assure you, gen.
tlemep, and those you fepresent that Ilbring
to this position fixed determination to dis,
charge its duties, TO the best of my ability, in
2 spirit of unyielding faithfulness and integ-
atty to the State, and impartiality and Justice
to the people. an
There is significance in therecent express
sion of the popular will that relieves us all
from many Of the ernbarrassnentss that usn=
ally attend such events Z Il hefaldsi no mere
party triumph-itis is no individual success
No mere partizan effort could have achieved
such victory; no man in the State is wor-
thy of, or could have received, so sublime an
ovation. It is spontaneous declaration of
government, and bearing it with tho stern
commandment that every aepergy, of their
State, and every exertion of its rulers, shalt
be- given to- the 1resteration of that govern
Inent to its original unity and power. 1t not
only relieves us of alE mefe9 partizan traflli
mels and affinities but it commands us that,
for the time being, these shall be laid aside,
until the great purpose is accomplished of
restoring our country to position in which
partizan contests may be indplged without
involving our nationality and party picto-
ries beswons without their possible results Civ
ing encouragement to rebels in arms against
the supremacy of the constitution and laws
Of the land. In 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
before eme.---------sssss---- ss-----------------
While this national obligation is laid upon
us, it does not relieve us from the further du-
| ty of guarding the local interests, and pro-
noting the prosperity of our own State This
duty, to large extent devolves upon the leg
islative BODY. fully share in the confidence
Of tlegpe6ple b whe haYe salled you from your
respective ayocations IN life, and committed
! to you, for the time being, the honor, the
credit, and tho prosperity of the State. In
/ all that can, and properly may do, it will
give me great pleasure to cooperate with you
in the apeemp plishment epf this great purpose
The annual message of my worthy prede-
cessor, with the accompanying documents,
presents you, in concise and ineligible
manner, the condition of our State Affairs
His recommendations are worthy of, and will
undoubtedly receive, EEye oar careful considesas
| ton. @His ard nousx Iabors have e5ntr tribufed,
IN no small degree, to the gratifying results
presented to you; and it is pleasing reaec-
ton the people of the State viii be able to
4 fellow him into his present retirement from
executNe duties, with ,thegratefulr plaudit of
| .swell done good and faithful sefvaIlt.'' It
wild befap sbiding pleasure toa me. iiffas the
end of my own brief service, shall be able
to attain alike his usefulness and histeWardJs
81 1t is not less gratifying than honorable to
the State that we have been able to pass
i through the third year of an expensive and
sanguinary -aar in the full performapcezof all
! sur duties % tie Mtlonal .gosernpel5t with
put mpairing, in any manner, the prosperity
of the State, or depressing our people by bur-
thensome or excessive taxation.
i The faanein Scfditie6I ofStha State is
{ highly satisfactory. The currency is in a
sound condition. The agricultural, industri-
al and commercial interests of the State were
never more prosperous. The State has been
ptsefs glthh giYsse eHpFF ftqg M plss