Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-02-01
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOV. J.
w. GEARYs
Delivered January I5, 1867.


FELLOW CTTIzENs-Honored by the Sc
lection of the sovereign people of my native
State. as their choice for Chief Magistrate
of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, it is
with mingled feelings of humility and graft
tude that | have appeared in the presence of
my fellow countrymen, and before the Search
er of all Hearts, to take the solemn obliga-
tion prescribed as qualification for that ex-
alted station, ''to support the Constitution
Of the United States, and the Constitution
Of Pennsylvania, and to perform my official
duties with fidelity"
Profoundly sensible of everything that is
implied by this manifestation of the people
confidence, 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 to
return fervent thanksgiving to Almighty
God for his constant providence and unnum-
harad blessings to us as people, and espe-
cially mine to implore His aid and council 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 ac-
eordance with custom originating with the
Republican fathers. | propose briefly to ex-
press my opinions on such questions as con-
eern our common constituency, and relate to
our common responsibilities.
Like countries of the Old World, our ma
ton has had its internal connections. From
the last of these we have scarcely yet emer-
ged, and during which wars desolation'
passed over our land, leaving its blighting
influences principally upon those unfoTtu-
nate States whose people rebelled against
the government, and Notwithstanding the
agoniziug sacrifices Of a 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 a change has
| occurred in the Executive Department Of
this State since the commencement of the
war of the rebellion; n brief reference,
therefore to that conflict, and to It's 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 a violation of any of the rights
Of the South, but it was for the preserva-
ton Of our ownrights 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 confederacy bas-
ed upon 'the corner stone of human slave
ry. To have submitted to this on our
part, and to have sLrunk from q manly re-
sistance under such circumstances, would
have been deeply and lastingly degrading,
and would have destroyed the value Of the
priceless legacy bequeathed to US by our ia
theirs, and which we are obliged to transmit
unimpaired to future generations. The pa
triOtic and Union-lOying people felt that the
alternative was that of life or death to the
| Union and under the auspicious guidance
of Abraham Lincoln, that patriotic and viz
| tuous Chief Magistrate, with the blessing oi
| 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 a degree of unan-
unity 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 loye
and fidelity to the Union they unhesitatingly
offered their lives for its preservation. Nor
was any other tribute withheld in providing
the means necessary for the support Of our
fleets and armies. Nearly two millions Of
soldiers entered the field from time to time
on different terms of enlistment The citi-
zens 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 Sani-
tary and the Christian Commissions and
other charitable associations. More than
six hundred 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 or God and Liberty.
In every phase of this terrible conflict,
Pennsylvania bore an honorable and con
spicuous part. She contributed three hun
dred and sixty-six thousand three hundred
and twenty-six volunteer soldiers to the
rescue of the nation and nearly every bat
tle-feld 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
honored dead-we arc deeply indebted, for