Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-03-18
Gov. Hshn,s Inaugural Addresa.

The following is the most material part OF the
address delivered By GOY. llahD, ou the occasion
OF his inauguration
The Union Of these States, handed down by
our revolutionary ancestors, is Of more value
than any falsely styled Estate rights" especially
when these "Iights" mean sectional Institutions,
founded on a great moral, social, and polit cal
evil, and Inconsistent with the principles OF free
government. The institution Of Slavery is Op-
posed alike to the rights Of one race and the in-
terests OF the other; it is the of the present
unholy attempt TO break up our Government and
unpleasant as the declaration may sound TO
many Of you, tell you that regard its uniSer-
sal And immediate extinction US a public and
private blessing. II Is not to be supposed that
In the adjustment Of tho altered relations Of la
bOr to capital an immediate satisfactory result
can be reached, although the happiest results
have already been witnessed on many planta-
tions now worked and cultivated under the COM
pensated labor regulations Of the distinguished
commander oil this military department.
A desirable result will soon be generally at
tanned, IT the difficult matter is taken In hand as
practical question, free from the perplexities
that cannot iail TO encompass il were return to
the old system among us conceivable or possible.
To profit, as 1t is in our power at once to do, by
our situation, we must dismiss dreams of the
past and accept accomplished facts rs they are,
the nature VI things, il we will only act as be-
comes sensible people, the greatness we have
momeniarily had eclipsed will be ours again,
and secured to us by more binding and lasting
tenure than ever before. 1t must be based on a
devotion to the Union, on love of liberty to ali
men, and on q spirit of Justice and humanity
The losses. il any, incurred by this change, in
our labor system by the truly loyal citizen, will
doubtless be properly returned to him in due
season by generous Government.
At au early day an election will be held for
members 10 Convention for the revision of our
State Constitution. The Importance of such an
election can scarcely be exaggerated. Every
citizen is deeply interested IN the organic law,
and that il may in all respects faithfully mirror
the wishes OF the people and harmonize with the
spirit OF the age, the people must themselves
exercise all due circumspeoiOn in the selection
Of delegates to represent them. The Convention
will doubtless provide for an early election of a
Legislature. On the meeting of the latter, the
absorbing labor question will at once demand
its most serious attention, aud the importance Of
this alone will appeal strongly to the minds Of
all good citizens, 80 that in the selection of mem.
bers none unworthy from vicious habits or edu.
cationnl unhtness may be chosen.
with the natural advantages Louisiana pos
sesses in her inexhaustible soil, her genial eli
mate, her domination of the river Of rivers, her
facilities for commerce, manufacturing and the
most varied agricultural pursuits, nothing can
prevent her present population, or, il they will
not do il, then the emigtntion that will speedily
supersede them, from soon becoming what ouI
people once aspred with reason to be, namely
the most aOurshing portion Of the most power,
ful of nations Proper legislation, such as w
may look forward TO obtain before many months
Will enable the people TO profit by the new life
that is being infused into our social systelni ant
in presence vf the change no man of observation
enterprise and enlightenment, need have a dis
couraging apprehension. l shall do all that cat
be required OF me in the meantime to put societ,
into henlthful aud useful activity; and # oul
fonnderier, our workshops, our manufacture
and ship yards remain closed, no charge OF in-
difference to them on my part will be with justice
preferred against me.
NO person able to work will be allowed, will
my consent, to be u burden ou the community
the condition Of man is to earn his bread by III
sweat Of his brow, and useless, unproduciiv
drones must comply with the law of our being o
remove from among US.