The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1867-01-22
VOLUME XVIII. NUMBER %.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF
Governor JOHN W. GEARY,

When the congratulatory cheers of the Peo-
pie had subsidized, Gov. Geary proceeded to de-
liver his inaugural address, as follows
FELLOW CITIZENS Honored by the selection
of the sovereign people of my native State as
their choice for Chief Magistrate of The Com.
monwealth of Pennsylvania, it is with mingled
feelings of humility and gratitude hat L have
appeared in the presence of my fellowcountry-
men and before the Searcher of all Hearts, to
take the solemn obligation prescribed as quail
ification for that exalted station, "to support
the Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of Pennsylvania, and to perform
my Official duties with tidelty.'
Profoundly sensible of everything that's i'm
piled by this manifestation of the peoples con-
hdence and more deeply impressed with the
vast importance and responsibilities OF the office
than elevated by its attendant honors, let it be
our first grateful duty 10 return tervent thanks
givihgs to Almighty God for his constant prov
idence and unnumbered blessings to peo-
pie, and especially mine to Implore His aid and
counsel in the discharge of civil trusts, who has
been my shield and bucklel amidst scenes OF
peril and death.
! In addressing you on this occasion, in ac-
cordauce with a custom originating with the
Republican fathers. propose briefly to express
my opinions such questions as concern our
common constituency, and relate to our com
mon responsibilities.
Like countries of the Old World, our ration
/ has had its internal connections. From the
last of these we have scarcely yet emerged, and
during which wars deSolation" passed over
our laud, leaving its influences principally up
on those unfortunate States whose people re-
! belled against the government and notwith-
standing the agonizng sacrifices of great civ
/ il war, the States that maintained the COVER
ment and determined that the Union should
! be preserved, have constantly advanced in hon
or wealth, population and general prosperity,
This is the first time that change has oc-
Cured in the Executive Department of this
! State since the commencement OF the war of
! the rebellion; brief reference, therefore, to
that conflict. and to its results, may not be IN
tapp;o pirate.
| We have the consolation Of knowing that the
contest between the North aud South was not
on our part one for ambition, for military re-
nown, for terrific rial acquisition, nor was it for
4 violation of any OF the rights of the Sonth,
but it was for the preservation Of our own rights
4 and privileges as men, and for the maintenance
/ cf justice, Liberty and the Union. The object
of the South was avowedlv the dissolution Of
the Union and the establishment of cOnted-
eracy based upon "the corner stone of human
saycrv' To have submitted to this on our
pe It, and to have shrunk from manly resist
ance under such circumstances, would have
/ been deeply and lastngly degradingand would
4 have destroyed the value of the priceless lega-
/ cy bequesteed - Hs py our fahers, and which
we are obliged TO transmit unmpared to future
generations. The patriotic and Unlon-lOving
people felt that the alternative was that of life
or depth 10 the UnF0n; and under the auSpIciOus
guidance Of braham Lincoln, that vlrtuuus and
patriotic Chief Ma sistrate, with the blessing of
! Him who directs the destiuies of nations, after
open action and arbitrary violence on the part
1 of the south the appeal to arms was made
! We had Just cause. and oE}rcItlzenS approving
! it with degree of Uaanitnity heretofore un-
known, in this or any other country, left their
various employments. their homes and all that
was dear to them, and hastenCd with enthusl-
asm to the scenes where duty and danger call
ed, and as the surcsJ pledge of their unswerv-
ing love and fidelity to the Union they unhesi
tatingly offered their lives for It's preservation
Nor was any other tribute withheld in pro-
vlding the means necessary for the support of
our fleets and armies. Nearly two millions of
soldiers entered the field frefe time to time on
different terms of enlistment The citizens
generally exhibited the highest degree of patri-
! otlsm in the prompt payment of taxes, IN their
liberal contributions III theshape OF loans to the
government; aud the world was astoRshcd by
the amount expended in their benevolent care
for the sick and wouaded, through tire agencies
of the sanitary and Christian Commissions and
ether charitable associations More than six
hundred sanguinary battles and skirmishes
were fought in which nearly three hundred
thousand Of our here.c defenders laid down their
lives in their devotion to the patIon-"fu GOd
and Lberty'
In every phase this terrible conflict, Penn
sylyania bore an honorable and conspicuous
part. She contributed three hundred and sixty
SIX thousand three hundred and twenty six vol
unteer soldiers to the rescue of the nation; and
nearly every battlefield has been mostened
with the blood, and whitened with the bones
of her heroes. To them we owe our victories,
unsurpassed in brliancv and in the importance
ct their consequences. To the dead-the thrice
honored desdz=we are deeply indebted, for
without their seHyrces i is possible our cause
might rot have been successful
1t is natural and eminently proper tIat we,
as a people. should feel deep and lasting in
terest in the present and future welfare of the
soldiers who have borne so distinguished 4 part
in the great contest which has resulted in the
maintenance ofthe life, honor and prosperity of
the nation. The high claims Of the private
soldiers UPON the country are universally ac-
knowedged, and the generous sentiment pre-
walls that the amplest care should be takOn by
the governmental compensate themequay Y and
generously, with bountles and pensions, for Their
services aud sacrifices
! desire that it may be distinctly understood
that | do not speak of myself in connection
with this subject but | am happy to avail my
self of this opportunity to speak kind words of
Pennsylvania private soldiers, and the noble
officers who commanded them
: The generosity Of the people of Pennsylvania
to the Union soldiers has been initiated, but not
equaIled, by other States There is something
peculiar in the loyalty of Pennsylvania. She
seemed to feel from the first, as if upon her de-
volved the setting Of superior example The
fact that she carried upon her standard the
brightest jewel of the Republic, that in her
bosom was conceived and from her commercial
capital was issaed he Declaration of Indepen-
dence. gave to her contributions, in men and
money, and her unparalleled charitable organ
izauons, al the dignity end force Of 5. model
for others to copy. The rebei foe seemed to
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