Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-01-18
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


form, you to witness, and / to accept tie
admin stration of the oaths necessary as a
qualification to enter upon the discharge Of
the duties of the office into which have
Just been indicted. These duties have been |
performed; surely our next is to acknow-
ledge with devout gratitude the Divine mercy |
that has conducted us as political com
munity in safety to the commencement OF
another term of the Executive office.
Duty and inclination alike prompt me also
10 acknowledge my obligation to the people |
of the State who have elected me to the
highest office within their gift. l shall not
affect an Indifference to the honor conferred
by this expression Oftheir confidence. Under
any circumstances an election to the Guber-
material office would have been an honor OF
which should not have been insensible;
but occurring while was in the discharge
of the duties of the Office under the pro-
visions of the Constitution, regard il as an
endorsement by my fellow citizens of my
past official acts, and as such it is especially
gratifying. My constant effort shall be to
| continue to discharge the functions OF the
office so as to occasion the citizens Of the
State no cause to regret the confidence re-
posed in me.
The pardoning power has, by the Consti.
tuition and laws of the State, been con1ided
solely TO the discretion of the Executive.
| w
addressed to the sensibllities and humanity
of our natures, is among the most perplex-
ing duties connected with the Gubernatorial
Office This power has been conferred upon
the Executive with view to insure, and
not defeat, tho faithful administration Of
public Justice; but while the promotion OF
the ends of justice should be the Chief IN
centive to, the vindication Of the benevolence
and humanity of the law often demands its
| IN nVil. d0nrQ q Of the
chief objects in the punishment OF crime,
hut reverence for the justice of the law
which protects the innocent, as well as for
its majesty in the punishment Of the guilty,
is necessary to insure respect forits authority
and confidence in its administration.
The power to appoint many of the public
officers of the State is conferred upon the
Governor, and should be exercised with
strict regard to the true interests oil the peo'
pie. Offices were created for the benefit OF
the people, and not for particular persons.
No Individual, therefore, has just claim to
office until he Is clothed with its powers and
charged with its responsibilities by those
having legal authority to make the election
Qualification for office is the consideration
which should determine appointments, ano
consists Of something more than mere bust
ness capacity. Urbanity OF manner, nc
commodating disposition, perseveIing indus
VI
less necessary TO a proper qualification fol
office than ability properly to perform III
clerical duties.
The duty ito take care that the laws bt
faithfully executed" shall be performed, 81
far as / am invested with authority for tina
purpose. Other duties are Imposed upol
the Executive, by the Constitution and Law
of the State, which it shall be my earnes
effort TO perform, with strict regard to tn
nd dirnftty of tbp State and the prOe
perity and happiness of people.
Having, at the commencement of I'll
present session submitted, through my bi
ennial message to both branches of the Leg
islature, the views which entertain upo
the subjects deemed it my duty to presen
for their consideration, l shall now invit
your attention to questions Of more genera
interest, growing out OF our relations wit
the Federal Government. We have just CT
tered upon new epoch in the history OF ou
country. The shock of arms, which fc
years convulsed the nation, has subsidet
but the danger to our form of free govern
d. ment, from its effects, continues. The SCI
IT, tionai hate, which produced the war, he
T. been intensified by its prosecution, and u
restoration of amioable relations betwee
Ut the two sections, which, if ever effected
a9 must BIO through Cancellation and compr
np mise, has been made more difficult than
IN any former period. The laws which govei
human action have not changed; revenge
eS more in consonance with depraved humt
to nature than that charity which "thinke
CHI no evil" It ought not therefore, to be yel
ba surprising that victorious majority, ju
III, emerged from state of war, and flushed al
:" excited by the triumphs of victory, shon
to be, for season, forgetlul Of the true digni
nd of human government and Of the nrlnclpl
iel of Justice and mRgnanlmity which snou
u. To administration.
us The war has ended, as might have be
expected, in the triumph Of the sa,...o1ng
over Tie weaker section. The problem nc
- to be solved is whether there is statesma
re- ship enough remaining in the country TO q
h n propriate the fruits of victory, purchas
by the blood of myrads of our fallen cot
ut' trymen, to the re-estnblshment and perm
his, nent maintenance of the form of free govel
But ment bequeathed to us by our ancoslo
hen The war ought not to have been, and p
fessedly was not waged for the purpose
Oh destroying the principles upon which
firth Government was based, but te preserve a
walls maintain them. We should be careful Il
anna the fruit of il is not the destruction of hum
~, liberty and the overthrow of representa-
'ne government in this land. Having just j
ex' aside the habiliments of war and assun
ISN'T the robes of peace, we should pause .
r. reflect as to the best means OF insuring L
mony and prosperity to the whole coun
In the future. The possession of power
frequently incites to its improper exerc
seen and while its proper administration may
ated made blessing to society, It's abuse IS
ranny and oppression. The frailties OF
nature, which beget desire to rule, OIL
lead us to rule unjustly.
We should be watchful, therefore, in ex
lining the motives and determining the c
6istency of our own actions, that our imp
ca and passions do not betray us into
adoption OF policy unjust to our fellow-r
and hazardous to the future interests
honor of the Government under which
live. No stimulus is necessary to draw
into the current of popular impulse
action, and hence the necessity OF car
; self.examination to guard us Ia determil
n, 10 what is agreeable to ourselves that W,
nh n nothing unjust or offensive to others ~
y" are principles applicable alike 10 comm
pert ties and individuals, which, If carefully
Z the served aud acted upon by those clot
okee. with the powers of government, would
A - wholesome restraint against their abuse
would Constitution Of tTsT and in all our
Mr.. history the people of Delaware have
from denced their attachment to the Govern
which it established. While New Engl
y "p- in the face OF a foreign foe, was preparlr
OF In sever her connection with the Federal VI
allie thus giving aid and comfort TO the en-
Delaware remained true to the ohllga
co her trate1 in the councils Of tic nation, an
fash the held of battle, their devotion to the
worth eminent aud institutions OF the country
II him iater LINES, when nuilio@ ~ th Union
ly one STATE cps,e a more cordial annroyal nm
such dorsement To the policV of reconcile