American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-01-23
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
GOV. JOHN W. GEARY,
Delivered January 10, 1867.

y
FELLOW CITIzfNs:
ITonored BY the selection of the sover-
eign people of my native State as :heir
choice for Chief Magistrate of the Com
monwealth Of Pennsylvania, it is with
mingled feelings of humility an1 graft
tude that have appeared in the pres
ence Of my fellow countrypcn, and be-
fore the Searcher of all Hearts, to take
the solemn obligation prescribed as a
qualification for that exalted station, " to
support the Constitution of the United
States and the Constitution of Pennsyl-
vania, and to perform my official duties
with fidelity"
Profoundly sensible of everything that
is implied by this manifestation of the
peoples confdenc ;, and more deeply im>
pressed with the vast importance and re-
sponsiblities of the Office, thar elevated
by it's attendant honors, let i, be our first
grateful duty to return fervent thanks
givings 10 Almighty God for his constant
providence and unnumbered blessings to
US as people, and especially mine to
mplorc His aid and counsel in the dis
charge of civil trusts, who has been my
shield and buckler amidst scenes of peril
and death.
In addressing you oa'ths occasion, in
accordance with custom originating with
the Republican fathers, propose briefly
to express my opinions on such questions
as concern orr common con- titucncy, aad
relate to our common responsibilities.
Like countries of the Old World, our
nation has had its internal commotions
From the last of these we have scarcely
yet emerged, and during which L" Wars
desoletion" passed over our land, leaving
its blightiLg influences principally upon
those unfortunate States whose people
rebelled against :he government, and not
withstanding the agonizing sacrifices Of a
great civil war, the States that maintain
ed the government and determined that
the UniQp should be preserved, have con.
stantly advanced in honor, wealth, popu-
lation and general prosperity.
This is the first time that change has
occurred 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 re-
suits, may not be Inappropriate.
We have the consolation of knowing
that the contest between the North and
the SouNh was not, on our part, one for
ambition, for military renown, for terri
tCFial Acquisition, nor was it for riola>
ton of any Of the rights of the South,
but it was for the preservation of oar
own rights and privileges as men, and
for tho maintenance OF justice, liberty
and the Union. The OBJECT of the South
vas avowedy the dissolution of the Un>
ion and the establishment of conieder-
acy based upon "the corner Stone of hr.
man slavery" To have submitted to
this on our part, and to have shrunk from
a manly resistance under such circum
stances, yogld have been deeply anl last
ingly degrading and would have destroy
cd the value of the priceless legacy be-
queathcd TO us by our fathers, aud which
we are obligated to transmit unimpaired
to future generations. The patriotic and
Union loving people felt that the alter>
native was that of life or death to the
Union and under the auspicious guid-
aHce ui Atrsiam Lneuh, tina: virtuous
n, praf.c Chel Aa-,s l'e, with the
blessing OF hiEl who directs the destin
les of nations, after open action and ar
b;trsry violence on the part of the South,
W Nds Z uiu
u Just cause, and our citizens approving
il with degree of unanimity heretofore
unknown, in this or any other country,
left their various emplOyments, their
homes and all that was dear to them, and
FASTENED with enthusiasm to the scenes
where duty apd danger called, and as the
surest pledge of their unswerving love
aud fidelity to the Union, they unhesi-
tatingly offered their lives for its pre-
servation. Nor was. any other tribute
withheld in providing the means neces>
sary for the support OF our fleets and arr
mics. Nearly two millions of soldiers
entered the field from time TO time on
different terms of enlistment. The citi,
sens generally exhibited the highest de,
gree of patriotism in the prompt pay
ment of taxes, in their liberal contribu,
tions in the shape Of leans to the gov
ernment; and the work. was astonished
by the amount expe nded in their benev>
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