The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-20

CONSTITUTIONAL. AMENDMENT RATIFIED.
In accordance with the provisions of the
new Constitution the members elect of the
Legislature assembled in Tallahassee on
Monday, the 9Th inst, for the purpose of in
augurating the government. No orders in
the premises had been received from Gen.
Meade, or any other authority, and some
doubt existed as to the proper course to pur
sue but acting under advices from Washing
ton, it was determined to proceed in the reg
ular manner
in Joint caucus, waited opon Gov. Walker
in the morning and requested the keys to
the Representative Hall and Senate Cham
ber The former apartment had been grant
ed BY Colonel Flint to the fire company for
their use during the evening, and could not
be had, but in place of it the Supreme Court
room was placed at the disposal Of the COM
mittee Gov. Walker. with his usual cour-
tesy, did all in his power to assist the COM
mittee, and no obstacles were thrown in
their way either by the civil or military au
thorities.
At 10 O'Clock noon the Senate assembled
in the Senate Chamber. Twelve members
were present and temporary organization
was effected by the election of Gen. H. Jen-
kins, Dr., Chairman pro tenn, and Col. w. L.
Apthorp as temporary Secretary. The Sen
ate then adjourned to meet again at three
PM
The Assembly met, at noon, in the Su-
preme Court room Twenty-fou members
were present, W. w. Moore, of Lake city,
was elected temporary chairman and DR.. By
num temporary Secretary. The assembly
then adjourned to 3p. m.
r Qf,,n L. both hron of in
the Supreme Court room, and a committee
was appointed to wait upon Governor Reed
and escort him to the Chamber for the pur-
pose of being inaugurated. The commit
tee were also instructed to invite Governor
Walker and Colonel Flint to attend.
The committee having ret urned, Governor
Reed assembled to the speakers desk where
the oath of Office was administered to him
by Judge Boynton of the U. S. District
Court, for the Southern District of Florida,
after which the Governor delivered the fol-
lowing:
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Felloao citizens Of Florida:
In entering upon the high trust which
your partality has conferred, in Difference to
time honored custom, it becomes my duty
to briefly indicate the policy of my adj
ministration as Chief Magistrate of this
State
In November, 1860, the constitutional
rights of the people of Florida were subvert-
ed and its civil government was overthrOwn;
since then the State has been without con-
stitutional government and subject to mill
tary law.
In March, 1867, the Congress of the Uni
ted States, in obedience to its obligations to
guarantee to every State republican form
OF government" prepared plan by which
the State could regain its forfeited rights,
and its people be restored to the benefits of
constitutional government. Under this plan
you have framed government which we
are here to-day to inaugurate and prepare to
make effective. You have framed and adop-
ted Constitution based upon the great the
ory OF American government, that all men
are by nature free and endowed with equal
rights. You have laid deep and broad the
foundations of the State upon the principle
of universal freedom.
Bred to freedom and under Republican
misunderstanding slavery an unmitiga-
ted curse as we'll as violation of human
rights-a moral, political and physical evil
whever tolerated. most cordially congrat-
ulate you that it no longer exists to blight
the fair heritage which God has given us
here, and that the Constitution which you
have adopted contains no germ of despotism
to generate future discord.
congratulate you also that no spirit of
malevolence or bitterness, growing out of
the wrongs and conflicts of the past, have
been suffered to mar your organic law, but
that in spirit of magnanimity and forbear-
alice worthy of the highest commendatiOn
those who have forfeited their citizenship
are welcomed back to the benefits and priv
ileges of the government, upon the sole con-
dition of fealty and adherence to the Consti-
tuition and laws.
Amid the ruins of government embody-
ing antagonistic principles, you have laid
the foundations of government insuring
harmony, stability, security, and peace The
conflicting elements and interests of the past
may now all unite in a homogeneous system,
all yielding obedience to a common law
which respects alike the interests of ALL
Time alone can heal the social disorders and
dissensions created by the disruption of So
ciety and the radical change in the system
of government consequent upon the war
We will patiently await its modifying inf1u-
ences, interposing no obstacle to speedy re-
storation
All classes of society and all the interests
of the State demand peace and good gov
eminent, and if the spirit of our constitu-
ton is appreciated and reciprocated, every
citizen may realize those advantages and
the State may arise from its PROSTATE condi-
tion to a measure of prosperity unknown in
the past, and become one of the brightest
luminaries in the galaxy of States of our
glorious Union.
Fellow-citizens, accept the high respon-
sibility of the chief magistracy under your
new constitution, believing firmly in its prin-
piles and unqualifedly endorsing its policy
and that of the Congress under whose ciem-
ency we are permitted to inaugurate anew a
civil government for the State. l enter upon
this high trust with the firm purpose of exc
cutting the laws in the spirit of liberality in
which they are conceived. and in view of
the highest interest of the State and the peo-
pie. Relying upon your loyalty and patriot
ism and the favor and guidance of that Di- !