The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-12-20
In Inaugural Address of Gov. Worth.
Gentlemen Of the Senate
and of the House of Commons:

Gentlemen Of the Senate
and Of the House of Commons:
If were about to enter on the discharge of
my duties, you would expect me, according to
usage, on this occasion to declare my views
on some of the subjects likely to require ex-
ecutive action.
AS the ordinance of the Convention under
which have been elected, provides that am
not to act until the Provisional Government
shall be discontinued-and as that discontin-
uance may not occur, during my official term,
l deem it premature and inappropriate to dis
cuss subjects on which l may not be allowed
to take action.
| regard it, however, as a fit occasion for
me to declare that the people of North Caro-
lima, impoverished by the late desolating war,
and discouraged by the uncertainties of the
future, ardently desire a restoration of the
Union, and Of civil government. The ami
mosities which produced and grew out of the
war, on our part, are rapidly passing away.
All good and wise men feel that the common
good of our whole country required the sup
preston of the sectional ordinations and re-
ordinations, from which have sprung our
national calamities. am sure that the great
body of our people desire that national amity
shall be restored. Such I am assured and be-
lieve, is the general feeling among those we
lately called our foes. Such is peculiarly the
case amongst the brave men who periled their
lives in the respective armies, lately engaged
in mortal combat. The brave are always gen.
erous
Admonished by the recent past, surely the
virtue of this great nation will not again sur
render itself to the guidance Of turbulent Sec
tional leaders.
l am sure all our people, if now admitted
into full communion with the United States,
upon the terms prescribed by the President.
with all which terms we have fully complied)
would perform all their Constitutional obliga-
tons with as much fidelity as any people in
the Union. Unfounded distrust will not be-
get kindness and confidence. We ought to be
judged by our acts. To them l appeal for the
veriication of my assertions. .
We honor the generous magnanimity and
elevated craftsmanship exhibited in the Presi-
dents plan of reconstruction. 1t looks to the
permanent good of the achole nation, and in
view of the appalling difficulties with which
he was surrounded, is probably the wisest
practicable plan which could be devised We
have promptly, and almost unanimously, COM
piled with all its provisions, by declaring our
ordinance of secession null and void, by
amending our constitution abolishing slavery,
repudiating our war debt, ratifying the amend
ment to the Constitution Of the United States
forever prohibiting slavery in the States, and
by solemnly taking an oath renewing our al
legian6e to the United States. If all these
acts are held insufficient to entitle us to conf
dence, we can scarcely hope to do anything
which will be held satisfactory. l will vouch
| for North Carolina if not driven to despair by
| ungenerous distrust She will grasp the hand
of reconciliation, if offered with generous mag
| unanimous confidence
return to the people of North Carolina my
most profound thanks for the distinguished
honor they have done me in electing me as
| their chief magistrate, and if l shall be called
upon to perform the duties of the position, I
shall most fervently implore the Oliver of all
good to inspire me with ability to discharge
my duties in manner acceptable to the
State, and promotive of the best interests of
her people.