Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-01-16
Inaugural Address of
GOVERNOR JOHN W. GEARY,
Delivered Jan. Is, 1867.

state as their choice Tor Chief Magistrate
IF the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it
is with mingled feelings of humility and
gratitude that have appeared in the pres
ence of my fellow countrymen, and before
the Searcher of all Hearts, to take the sol
emn obligation prescribed as qualification
for that exalted station, Ito support the
Constitution of Pennsylvania, and to per
form my official duties with fidelity
Profoundly sensible of everything that rs
implied by this manifestation of the peoples
confidence, and more deeply impressed with
the vast Importance and responsibilities of
the office than elevated by It's attended hon
ors, let it be our first grateful duty to return
fervent thanksgiving to Almighty God for
his constant providence and unnumbered
blessings 10 US as people, and especially mine
to i'm plore His aid and counsel in the dis
charge of civil trusts, who has been my shield
and buckler amid scenes of peril and death.
In addressing you on this occasion. in ac-
rordance with a custom originating with the
Republican fathers, | propose briefly to ex-
press my opinions on such questions as con-
Germ our common constituency, and relate to
our common responsibilities.
Like countries of the Old World, our na-
ton has had its internal connections. From
the last of these we have scarcely yet emerg-
ed. and during which Wars desolation"
passed over our land, leaving its bighting
influences principally upon those unfortu-
nate States whose people rehelled against
the government, and notwithstanding the
agonizing sacrifices of great civil war, the
States that maintained the government and
determined that the Union should be pre-
served, have constantly advanced in honor
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 inappropriate.
We have the consolation Of knowing that
the contest between the North and the South
was not, on our part, one for ambition, for
military renown, for territorial acquisition.
nor was it for 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 1.-THE corner stone of human slavery ;"
To have submitted to this on our part, and
to have shrunk from manly resistance un-
der such circumstances, would have been
deeply and lastingly degrading, and would
have destroyed the value of the priceless
legacy bequeathed to us by our fathers, and
which we are obligated to transmit unim-
paired to future generations. The patriotic
and Union-lOving people felt that the alter
native was that of life or death to the u
MON; and under the auspicious guidance of
Abraham Lincoln, that virtuous and patri-
otic Chief Magistrate, with the blessing of
Him who directs the destinies of nations,
after open action and arbitrary violence on
the part Of the South, the appeal to arms
was made. We had just cause, and our
citizens approving it with degree of una
nimity heretofore unknown, in this or any
other country, left their various employ
ments, 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 unhesitating-
" offered their lives for its preservation.
Nor was any other tribute withheld in pro-
viding the means necessary for the support
of our fleets and armies Nearly two mil
lions of soldiers entered the field from time
to time on different terms of enlistment
The citizens generally exhibited 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 expen-
ded in their benevolent care for the sick and
wounded. through the agencies of the San
ltary and Christian Commissions I; nd other
charitable associations. More than six hun
dred sanguinary battles and skirmishes were
fought, IN which nearly three hundred thou
sand of our heroic defenders laid down their
lives in their devotion to the nation for
God and Liberty"
In every phase of this terrible conflict.
Pennsylvania bore an honorable and conspic-
uous part She contributed three hundred
and sixty-six thousand three hundred and
twenty-six 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 and in the importance of their
consequences. To the dead-the thrice hon
ored dead-we are deeply indebted, for with
out their services it is possible our cause
might not have been successful.
1t Is natural and eminently proper that
we, as people, should feel deep and last
ing interest IN the present and future welfare
OF the soldiers who have borne SO distin-
guIshed a part in the great contest which
has resulted In the maintenance of the life.
honor and prosperity of the nation. The
high claims of the private soldiers upon the
country are universally acknowledged, and
the generous sentiment prevails that the
amplest care should be taken by the govern
ment to compensate them, equally and gen
erously, with bounties and pensions, for
their services and sacrifices
| desire that it may be distinctly under
stood that do not speak of myself, in con-
nection with this subject; but am happy
to avail myself of this opportunity to speak
kind words of Pennsylvania gallant private
soldiers, and the noble officers who COM
II