Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1869-03-05
GOVERNOR sENTER-s INAUGURAL
Address.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House
or Representatives The resignation
by Gov. Brownlow of the powers and
duties of the office of Governor oi
Tennessee imposes upon me, as
speaker Of the Senate, In pursuance
OF the twelfth section of the third
article of the constitution, the duties
and responsibilities of that office.
The labor incident to the restoration
OF law and order in our State, forced
nom Its ancient moorings by the
sweeping current of rebellion, has
devolved on the administration of my
predecessor, whose services as Gov
ernor have been distinguished not
less by devotion to the principles on
which is based our National Union
than a firm and unwavering purpose
to establish, amidst conflicting ele-
ments, the civil and peaceful relations
OF the people Of the State.
am deeply impressed by the mag
nitude of the responsibilities I am
about to assume. Most ardently could
/ wish that some one more able should
have been chosen to administer the
Executive Department of our State
for the remainder of the term tC
which my predecessor was elected
Not, however, that am wanting In
appreciation of the high honor of
presiding over SO gallant and noble 0
State as Tennessee. She Is the land
Of my birth, the home of my child.
hood. In her soil are deposited the
ashes Of my ancestors, and kindred
Her interests are my interests, and
while / would make no invidious dis
tinction or sectional comparison,
Twill say that love Tennessee--not
more for her fertile valleys, her ma.
testic rivers, her lofty mountains, hel
wealth, than for the excellence of hel
brave and industrious people. To bt
Governor Of such State, and to add
Anything to the prosperity of such O
people, ought to gratify the ambition
Of any one. Feeling the full influ.
ence of this emotion, / trust, then,
gentlemen, that you will pardon me
for expressing distrust of my ability
to discharge the responsible duties Of
the high Office to which 1 am called
In cooperation with the other State
officials, It will be my earnest desire
and effort to faithfully serve the real
interests of Tennessee and her citizens
by reducing, in all practical ways,
the liabilities of the State and econo.
mixing In expenditures, thus main.
taining unimpaired our financial
soundness and credit, by giving full
play to our extensive internal i'm.
provement system, by promoting and
preserving peace, order, enforcement
of the laws, security Of life and prop
erty In all parts of the State alike
in a word, to labor to the utmost
practical degree to bring Tennessee tc
that measure Of prosperity and glory
to which her geographical position
and her inexhaustible resources EN-
inently entitle her. In my efforts tC
do all this, 1t is not too much to ask
or to expect the cheerful cooperation
of all good citizens Of all classes, sects
and parties.
In "a few days your legislative Ia
bors will have been brought to close
and you will return to your respect
i've homes. Your labors have been
arduous and protracted. This wa'
necessary to adapt the laws to thu
wants and interests of Tennessee as Q
free State.
In returning to your homes ant
families you take with you my bes'
wishes for your health and prosper
ity, individually, and the happiness
and prosperity of all whom you rep
resent.