Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-01-26
Inaugural Address Of
JOHN w GEARE
Delivered on Tuesday, January 18th, 1870.

OoIi'eteu Oh 1ueSudyI VanudiJ AotA, 1ofo'
FELLoW-CITrZENs Having been honor
ed. for a second time by the voluntary suf
TRACES oil my countrymen as their choice for
Chief Magistrate OF the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, | have, in the presence OF
God and this assembled multitude, renewed
the solemn and binding obligation required
OF me by law, 10 support the State and Ma
tional Constitutions, and to pc: form with Ii
deity the duties devolving upon me as Gov
ernor. 1t shall be my constant aim and
most earnest effort TO observe the very let
ter as well as he full spirit, meaning and
intent OF tue obligation have just taken.
Deeply impressed with the most profound
gratitude, can but express my most hearty
thanks TO the good citizens or this Common
wealth for the generous confidence and par
tlality they have reposed in me By re elec
tlon TO the most honorable and most re
sponslble position IN their gift. But know
ing wei their exactIonS and requirements OF
one VINO occupies I position 50 exalted. it Is
with extreme diffidence [ again undertake
responsibilities OF such vast Importance
which even tie boldest and most gifted
might hesitate 70 assume. And however
determined may be my endeavors to realize
the expectations of my Fri, uds In support of
IN my Judgment, may be wrong, still | am
conscious of the necessity for some sustain
ing power, and, therefore. | unhes sitatinglv
acknowledge my dependence upon the en-
hghtened support and patriotism of NV fel
low citizens, and my firm reliance upon the
unerrng wisdom and never failing aid of
linn who controls alike the destinies Of in
divlduais and OF nations.
The settlement of the veyed questions
growing out Oi the armed conflict with trea
aUu, deyoiyes mighty resnonsibility upoD
the loyal men OF the land. Armed rebellion
was signay crushed by the force of armed
loyalty, and the government has trium moh
antly established its ability to successfully
suppress dome site insurrection, however gi
gantIc. The war iFselt has served to stimn
late our people to fresh energies, and to the
dcveioYement of fresh enterprises Our
manufactures have multiplied. plenty has
smiled upon our fields, and blessed the la
Dor OF the husuandnan. Pe~ce has restored
our people to their homes, and cheered our
iresides The rates Of taxation have been
reduced, and are entirely abllishel upon
real estate FOR the use of the Common
wealth. Our State debt is being steadily
and surely liqEidatcd Immense sums have
been paid for pensions and other charities
The cause of education has advanced and
the institutions for The support aud tuition
OF soldiers orphans have been iiberally sup
piled. Railroads have bcea constructed.
and new material resources developed. And
thus our State and Nation are rapidly pro-
crossing in the attainment of those elements
OF greatness which have already placed our
country III The foremost rank of the powers
Of the earth. The great railroad which
binds our Stale to the Far West, and it in
turn to the oriental nations, has been com
pieted, aud all our efforts 10 add TO our ma.
tegial prosperity have been crowned with
unparalleled success
1t was my privilege to announce from Ibis
stand, three years aLO, the principles which
would guide me IN the administration OF the
office OF Goyeraor. At that time dwclt
upon and Expressed my views in reference
to all questions then occupying share OF
pubic Alteration. have since from time
to time, IN hieaSuges TO ne i.egi ,ia,;;rc, set
forth The con,litIon of the State, recommends
ed such measures as | deemed expedient
and calculated 20 advance her interests, and
expressed my views upon the topics of the
day hat Were OF State o. Matte nal inlpnrt-
ance. Agd having tuiiy reflected thereon.
l am more confirmed therein, and know OF
no reason why should not endorse and re
iteratc them as fully, Oh this occasion, as if
l again promulgated them word for word.
Ana now, acknowledging my responsibility
III its broadess sense, a. a representative. Ia
my constituents, and considering the mag
nItude OF the Interests which have again
been committed 10 my charge, | feel IL Is
due 10 the people and incum bent upon nv.
sell, To refer IL e.u to the documents indica
ted, Tor an outline OF the general polfy thar
is i-tended as guide tor the incoming al
h.. H.. I
dress, or unnecessarily delay this audience
with their repetitihn. | have no new pieIr-
es 10 make, but confidently refer 10 the rec.
orl OF nv past lie. as evidence at least # .ny
zeal ani degcli3n Ia the best interests Of
my STATE and country, aud for the rcctilude
OF MY intcn ions AHl al, hough the ability
which bring 20 the discharge of snch high
duties may be limited, shall confidently
rely upon the kind indulgence Of my fellow
citizens aud upon a conscientious effort to
uphold UnGlem i5hrd, aud transmit unxar-
nished to my successor in office, and io pos
terity, the fiji. tame and good name of our
magnificent Old Commonwealth,
Difficulties of no ordinary character con
staatiy surround your Executive officer il.
the discharge oi nany duties devolving up
on hiui, concerning each of which there may
be conflicting opinions. Il being. therefore.
Impossible To satisfy all, hts only safeguard
is to adopt, and act in accordance With
those sterling and beueicent uaxims to
which the early fathers gave utterance,
winch have been sanctioned by wisdom and
experience, and resulted in the rapid growth
aud prosperity of our institutions, aud the
liberty and happiness OF oar people.
The Constitution vests the supreme Ex-
ecutive power of The State in the Govern
or, and directs, that 'he shall take care
that the laws be faithfully executed. The
supreme earthly authority recognized by lis,
therefore, is ths law-the rlghttuly deter
mined will of the people. No citizen is so
exalted Il, to he above, and none SO low As
to be beneath its power The Executive
is as much the subject of the laws of The
State as The humblest individual within its
borders. In pursuance of these principles,
and in the execution of the laws, have en-
deavored, during M term Of offi ee, faithful
ly to discharge every Official dufy with a
full reference to my sworn obligation, and as
| shall answer at the last great day.
1t should be our earnest effort to faithful
ly discharge all our obligations and respon
slbilities, both as citizens and magistrates.
We should cease to tolerate anything as
politically right, that is morally wrong.
and actively prescribe the conuptlon which
too Frequently marks the administration OF