Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-24
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
GOVERNOR JOHN w. GEARY,
DeIFxared Iann.rx- ~ 1894
Delivered January IL. 1866.

GLloh C4i4HENS '-AOAoIcu Uy tue
selection of the sovereign people of
my native State as their choice for
Chief Magistrate of the Common
wealth Of Pennsylvania, it is with
mingled feelings of humility and
gratitude that | have appeared in the
presence of my fellow countrymen,
and before the Searcher of all Hearts,
to take the solemn obligation pre-
scribed as qualification for that ex-
aIted station, "to support the Con-
stitution of the United States and the
Constitution of Pennsylvania, and to
perform my official duties with fideli-
| ~"
Profoundly sensible of everything
that is implied by this manifestation
OF the peoples confidence, and more
deeply impressed with the vast i'm
Dortance and responsibilities of the
Office, than elevated by its attendant
honors, let it be our first grateful du-
ty to return fervent thanksgivings to
Almighty God for his constant provi-
dence and unnumbered blessings to
us as people, and especially mine
to implOre His aid and counsel in the
discharge of civil trusts, who has
been my shield and buckler amidst
scenes of peril and death.
In addressing you on this occasion,
in accordance with custom origina-
ting with the Republican fathers, l
propose briefly to express my opin-
ions on such questions as concern our
common constituency, and relate to
our common responsibilities.
Like countries of the Old World,
our nation has had its internal COM
motions. From the last of these we
have scarcely yet emerged, and dur
ing which Wars desolation pass
ed over our land, leaving its blight
ing influences principally upon those
unfortunate States whose people re-
belled against the government, and
Notwithstanding the agonizing sacri-
fees of a great civil war, the States
that maintained the government and
determined that the Union should be
preserved, have constantly advanced
in honor, wealth, population and gen
eral prosperity.
This is the first time that a change
has occurred in the Executive De-
partment of this State since the com.
mencement of the war Of the rebel
lion a brief reference, therefore, to
that conflict, and to its results, may
not be inappropriate.
We have the consolation of know
ing that the contest between the
North and the South was not, on our
part, one for ambition, foy military
renown, for territorial acquisition,
nor was it for a violation of any of
the rights of the South, but it was
for the preservation of our own rights
and privileges as men, and for the
maintenance of justice, liberty and
the Union, The object of the South
was avowedly the dissolution of the
Union and the establishment of a
confederacy based upon the corner
stone of human slavery" To have
submitted to this on our part, and to
have shrunk from manly resistance
under such circumstances, would
have been deeply and lastingly de-
grading, and would have destroyed
the value of the priceless legacy be-
queathed to US by our fathers, and
which we are obliged to transmit un-
impaired to future generations. The
patriotic and Union-loving people felt
that the alternate was that of life or
death to the Union and under the
auspicious guidance of Abraham Lin
coin, that virtuous and patriotic Chief
Magistrate, with the blessing of Him
who directs the destinies Of nations,
after open action and arbitrary vic.
lence on the part of the South, the
appeal to arms was made. We had
a Just cause, and our citizens approx
ing it with a degree of unanimity
heretofore unknown, in this or any
other country, left their various en-
ployments, their homes and all that
was dear to them, and hastened with
enthusiasm to the scenes where duty
and danger called, and as the surest
pledge Of their answering love and
fidelity to the Union, they unhesita-
tingly offered their lives for its pres
ervation. Nor was any other tribute
withheld in providing the means ne
cessary for the support of our fleets
and armies. Nearly two millions of
soldiers entered the field from time
to time on different terms of enlist
ment. The citizens generally exhibi-
TED the highest degree of patriotism
in the prompt payment of taxes, in
their liberal contributions in the shape
of loans to the government ; and the
world was astonished by the amount
expended in their benevolent care for
the sick and wounded, through the
agencies of the Sanitary and Chris
tian Commissions and other charita-
Bile associations. More than six hun
died sanguinary battles and skirm-
ishes were fought, in which nearly
three hundred thousand of our heroic
defenders laid down their lives in
their devotion to the nation" for
God and Liberty"
In every phase Of this terrible con-
flict, Pennsylvania bore an honorable
and conspicuous part. She contribu-
ted three hundred and sixty-six thou
sand three hundred and twenty,sx
volunteer soldiers to the rescue of
the nation and nearly every battle
field has been moistened with the
blood, and whitened with the bones,
of her heroes. To them We owe our
victories, unsurpassed in brilliancy
ana in the Importance Of their Gonse-
nuancas To tho daad tho thrice