West-Jersey pioneer., 1866-01-20
INAUGURATION OF GOV. WARN.

csssion took open order and the order was re-
yersed-Legislatiy Committees, the Governor
and Governor elect taking the lead. When
the Governor elect and accompanying suite
reached the Senate Chamber, the members OF
both Houses, who were assembled there, r0St
to their feet, and Governor Parker presented
Mr.. Ward in front Of tke Presidents chair fol
Inauguration.
A prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr.. Heis!
Ter.
The President Of the Senate then admnisl
tered the oath of office to the Governor elect,
Governor Parker then addressing his suc'
cessor in few appropriate words, handed intd
his custody the great seal of the State.
The Governor was then formerly introduced
to the Senators and members of Assembly, afI
ter which he was conducted 10 the Senatd
Chamber, where the inaugural address was
read as follows: Ea
Gentlemen of the Senate and Of The General Asl
SembLy:
In assuming the responsible and important
duties devolving upon me as the Chief Magis
trate of this State, desire to invoke the guild
ance Of Almighty God, that may be enabled
80 to administer my Office as to rebound to the
| welfare and happiness Of the people, ano
| to the honor OF the State.
mental affairs to the discharge of the duties o.
the position, which by the generous suffrages
| of the people Of my native State l have beer
called to fill, pledge an honest endeavor to
meet it's obligations to the best of my ability,
and with single eye to the general good
THE WAR AND IT'S RESULTS.
| The past year has been an eventful one III
the annals Of our Government, and it will ever
be memorable for the momentous events which
| crowd its history. rebellion, the most wick
ed and the most formidable the world has evel
known, after four years of fearful warfare, has
by the valor Of our troops and the wisdom and
determination Of our rnlers, been crushed, the
Constitution and laws have baen vindica ted.
and the authority of the Government restored
Human slavery has been extinguished and pro-
hibited forever, and the millions of q race who
have drank it's bitter cup now drink the pure
waters Of liberty. No longer may one man
hold another in bondage, but all are held equal
under the law, entitled to equal protection, and
alike permitted to enjoy life, liberty and hap
piness.
In painful contrast with these blessings OF
peace and realization of universal freedom,
whioh the past year has brought us, is the Ia
mentable death of Abraham Lincoln, martyr
to his country's cause. The signal and illus
trious services of his life, his pure and noble
character, are now everywhere admitted and
admired They will ever bless and honor us
as a nation.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
have received from the honorable Secretary
of State of the United States..an official copy Of
the Joint Resolutions which were passed by
Congress on the first day of February last, pro.
posing an amendment to the Federal Constitu
tion, and requesting that would cause the de.
cision of the Legislature to be taken on the
subject The resolutions are in the following
words:
"ARTICLR XIII, section l. Neither slavery
"nor involuntary servitude, except as punish.
''ment for crime, whereof the party shall have
''been duly convicted, shall exist within the
"United States, or any place subject to their
'.jurisdiction.
SECTION 2. Congress shall have power to
"enforce this article by appropriate legisla-
'.tion."
The Constitution of the United States pro
vldes that the concurrence of three-fo Of
the States shall be necessary to ratify an
amandment to that instrument before the same
The required lumber of States is supposed
to have already adopted the amendment and
the vote of New Jersey may not be necessary
to the ratification. Bui for the honor Of our
State and people, we should avail ourselves Of
the occasion which is here offered US of giving
the weight of an endorsement to the extinguish-
ment forever of human slavery in our land
The people of the Sta te by their late action al
the polls, have spoken clearly and emphatically
in favor of this measure, and demands its
prompt passsge, which know you will gladly
accord. No argument is needed from me to
secure your cordial support Of this measure,
which it is my high privilege to make the
subject Of my first Recommendation.
OUR SOLDIERS.
To the patriotic and gallant men who have
fou ght our battles and saved our country from
attempted destruction, we owe debt Of graf
itude which we can never fully discharge. II
has been theirs to suffer and brave dangers
ours to enjoy the advantage of their sacrifices
1t was my fortune during the whole period Of
the war to be engaged in attention to,.the inter.
ests of the soldiers and their families, and
probably have had as intimate intercourse with
our New Jersey troops as any individual in the
State. have seen them in camp, on the march
and in the hospital, weary, bleeding and dy
ing, suffering trials and privations the most ap
palling to which men could be subjected, ane
it is my pride to bear testimony to their uni
form patience, fortitude and even cheerfulness
willing to sacrifice comfort, health and lif'
itself for their country. What Jerseyman'i
heart does not swell with emotions Of admira
ton and thankfulness toward those noble defen
ders of our nations life
While in European countries the disbandinl
Of large armies is fraught with much evil, ane
| is regarded with anxiety by the inhabitants
| nv observation here has been that, as genera
| rule. the returned veterans of the Union arm,
are sven>more intelligent, more worthy, ant
better citizens, than when they left their homes
| The workshop, the farm, and all the depart
ments of labor, now witness their willing efforts
| to provide for themselves and promote thu
| public veal. a
At the last session Of the Legislature, join
resolutions were passed authorizing the pur
chase Of site and the erection of buildingsfo
the New Jersey Home for Disabled Soldiers.
The Commissioners appointed under the reese
utions report that they have selected site
with buildings already erected, well adapted t.
the purposes of the proposed institution, ant
they are now negotiating for the purchase ant
| possession of the premises. / therefore earn
| estly recommend the passage of law max
| ing suitable provisions in relation thereto.
/ A liberal policy has been observed toward
those who had become disabled in their coun
try's service. They are entitled to our consid
Grafton; aud humanity, justice, and the homo
of the State require that they should be ten
Derby cared for during their disability.
To those returned soldiers who are able an,
willing to resume their usual industrial avoca
tions deem it to be the duty Of the State ant
/ of individuals, so far as is practicable, to Civ
employment and every needed assistance
| They ask for labor SO that they may provide
for themselves and their dependent families
| and common gratitude demands that the,
should have it.
| THE TAX LAWS.
The tax laws should be revised and amended
SO as to reach all property, and secure, as fa
as possible, an equal division of the burdens 0
taxation upon all the inhabitants Of the State
in Just proportion to the value Of their property
And permit me to say, this important part o
your duties should receive your attention at 81
early period Of the session as you can lind j
convenient.
| THE PUBLIC pAITH. hsst
In order to obtain money to prosecute th'
war for the Union, il was found necessary bJ
| the authorities Of the State, and by the Genera
Government, to- issue bonds with the con
| dition that they should be free from taxation