Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-01-05
Alabama.

( GOV. PATToN'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
1 The following are the concluding para
graphs of the inaugural address of Gov.
/ Potion, of Alabama, on the 18th inst.
/ \ sudden and radical change has been
wrought in our labor system. The cN-
tinction of slavery is one of the inevitable
results of war. The relation heretofore
snbSi>ting between the whites and blacks
has BEEN totally changed. The negroes
/ are now free. and this stubborn fact is fully
and uncquvoeally recognized. How far
Governmental action may be able to pro-
mote the common interest of the the two
races in their suddenly changed condition,
is u exeat problem which time alone can
| solve.
The normal vocation of the negro is that
of Il cultiyator OF the soil. The soil and
climate of Alabama are peculiarly adapted
to the growth of cotton-thc great staple
which Mields a most potent influence in the
commercial world. Landowners are de-
pendent upon the negroes for the labor
which Is necessary TO produce cotton
Hence, the negroes have but To avail them
>cvc, of the advantages which they possess
IL cultHatorS OF cotton lands. TO make for
them selves an Independent living. In their
new condition their future happiness or
misery depends entirely upon themselves.
They will find no disposition on the part of
the whites TO Cypress them or withhold
from them any of those rights to which
they are entitled as freedmen.
The recent convention of the State adopt
cd ali ordinance iinperatiyely requiring the
Legislature N lis present session 10 provide
iiill protection for the persons and property
OF Tn colorcd population. OF cog,rse ii Is
Assumed that the Legislature will take the
required action in this regard. In all this
we sec the evidence of Il firm purpose to
deal fairly and Justly with the freedman in
h~ new condition. We will not only eN-
tend 70 him all his legitimate rights. but
viii throw around him such ctitAalal safe
guards as will secure him in their full and
complete enjoyment. More than this.
am persuaded. eur Northern brethren can
not and will not ask Of us. At the same
time, ii must he understood that, socially
and politically. ours is a white man, gov
ernmen. la the future. as has been the
case in the past, the state affairs of Ala
bama must be guided and controlled by
the superior intelligence Of the White man.
The negro must also be made 10 realize that
freedom does not mean idleness or yagran-
cy. Emancipation has no; left him where
he can live without work.
Let lis hope that by iidcous policy on
the part of the State. and by prudence on
the part of planters and others employing
negroes, we may not experience that i'll
terTuption in the development of our in-
du>tfial resources. which might, at first
view. have been apprchended from the sud- |
den and radical change to which our labor
system has been subjected. 1t may be. in /
decd. that by additional energy and holder
enterprise we may find ourselves. at no /
distant day. on a higher road TO prosperity /
and greatness than we were likely TO attain |
under the old system.
al any rate. let us hope for the best
We have vast resources. which capital, T
science and labor Will develop in due time. .
All these will lind inviting fields III .tia-
b"ma.
have necessarily touched but briefly
upon topics pertaining TO State policy. |
shall perhaps. have occasion To refer to +
them more fully III formal communications /
to the Legislature.
ALLOW III" to say. gentlemen. in conclu-
sion. that since the close of the war it has
been evidently the studied purpose Of our
people to move ii full harmony with the
ayowcd policy Gt the National .tdInini>tr,l-
ton. This atte>ts the high confidence
which Is rcposed in the ability. integrity
and patriotism of of President Johnson.
have no hesitation in expressing the be-
lief thai the President i doing everything
i'll hi> ppWcrto advance the best Interests
of the whole country. both North ant.
South. In h> high and responsible posit-
ion. he has given the most iudubitablt evil
drnee Of his purpose to administer the al
fairs of the Government in Il spirit OF fair
ness. justice and conservative nationality
consider ii clearly oar duty 10 give him
our cordial and earnest support i'll She pat
riOtC course he J. Pursuing.