Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-02-15
GOV. GILBERT WALKERS INAUGU-
o RAJ ADDRESS:

Felloic- Citizens Of the
Senate and House of Delegates :.
Accept my hearty congratulations that you
are again seated in this hall, clothed with all
your rightful powers and functions. You are
to- day the lawfully General Assem-
bly, of the sovereign State OF Virginia. Not
withstanding fundamental conditions as
futile as unnecessary, you are the Legislature OF
State co-equal in all herrigh;s and prerogatiyes
with any and every other State in the American
Union Your powers and duties are no longer
limited and qualified" save by Constitution
almost unanimously adopted by the people, and
by the Constitution aud Laws Of the United
States. You are no longer subject to the domi-
nation of power In Its very nature antagonistic
to the genius of republican institutions. No;
you have been emancpated from this as we'll as
from the fears aud doubts and terrible uncer-
tainties which enohrouded the future. Our peo
pie are secure once more in the exercise of their
right to the control and management Of their
own affairs with public servants elected by and
amenabie to them alone. Surely In all this
shere is abundant cause for rejoicing with ex-
ceedng great Joy" The voice of Virginia is
again heard in the national councils May it be
potent for good May it be heard in thunder
tones demanding the application and enforce
n,ent of the great principle upon which our
senator's and representatives and you and L,
we're elected -"Equal rights TO ali!' Let it
not cease to enforce this demand until every
hated test-caih shall have been erased from the
rational statute books, nor until political dis
abilities shall be known no uiore among men.
You and have qualified by taking the same
oath of office. We have sole'nnly pledged our
selves before high Heaven to support and main
tain as we'll the Constitution and laws Of the
United States as of the State Of Virginia that
nd tho ,,,l md
equality Of all men before the law and that
We will faithfully perform our official duties to
the best of our ability. A strict and conscien-
tious observance of this solemn obligation will
rebound to the peace and prosperity of the State
and the vindication of the just expectations of
the people and our friends everywhere. 1t is
your duty to make the laws, mine to execute
them Fulfil your du,y, and pledge you a
faithful and fearless execution of mine.
Never before in the history of this common
wealth has Legislature assembled upon which
devolved graver responsibilities than upon you.
1t is not new state you have to form that
would be far easier task. lou would then
break the virgin soil where you pleased, and
lay the foundation and rear the superstructure
of your civil polity with materials fresh quar-
ried from precedents of the past, and fashioned
and moulded by the accumulated experiences
and necessities Of the present. Not so with
you now. A civil polity, originated amid the
throes of the revolution of l776 and partaking
of its spirit, made venerable by time aud sa-
cred in the eyes Of the people, was suddenly
overthrown by the rude shock of revolution.
1t fell amid the roar of battle and the clash
of resounding arms. Its broken and dis
membered fragments are to be reverenty
gathered up by you, aud with these and the
new materials which experience and the needs
,>p~ Ia, ov,d TO .h,,,l4 -
edi6ce of state The foundation is already laid
for you. 1t was designed aud executed in this
very hall two years ago. To-day what matters
it to you or me by what, If any, authority it
was done? What matters it though rude, in.
experienced, and Incompetent wOrkmen we're
employed in this great and delicate underta-
king? 1t has been done-it is an accom-
plished fact. The wonder is that it was so well
done. You, and /, and the people Of this COM
monwealth, have, in the most solemn and deli
cate manner, accepted it-yes, and discharged
both the architect and workmen. But We have
not banished them. No; far from it, We
shall require, and trust will have, their active
and and assistance in rearing the new super
structure, which may be more grand in its pro-
portions, more harmonious aud symmetrical,
than the former edifce. Whether it shall be
so or not rests mainly with you Success or
failure is in your hands. The foundation is am
pie. 1t has been laid broad and deep. Let the
superstructure but equal even the founda-
,ion, and no fears need be entertained of the
future growth and glory Of Virginia. The more
our Constitution is studied-the more it is con
sidered and understandable more will its CHIEF
provisions commend themselves to our approv-
al. True, it contains provisions which, in my
Judgment, might be improved, but what
consider defect you might esteem a virtue =
What constitution ever met with unanimous
approval? Are they not all compromises?
d ,ubt if ever in the history of popular govern
ment there was one adopted with the unanimity
of ours. And while that unanimity may moi
be the correct measure of its popularity y-whilt
other and extraneous causes rather than its rea
merits undoubtedly contributed to this result
nevertheless the mandates of the Constitution
must and will be observed as the sovereign
commands of the people. Who desires Of
will presume to disobey them? Not yor