Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-01-28
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GEARY,s ISArGuRAL AppRrss

GEARY's INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FELLOW CITIZENS = Having been honor.
ed, second time, by the voluntary suffrages
of my countrymen as their choice for Chief
Magistrate of the Commonwealth of Penn
sylvania, | have, in the presence Of God and
this assembled multitude, renewed the
solemn and binding obligation required Of
me By law, to support the State and National
/ Constitutions, and to perform with fidelity
the duties devolving upon me as Governor.
1t shall be my constant aim and most earn
est effort to observe the very letter as well
as the full spirit, meaning and intent Of the
obligation have Just taken.
Deeply impressed with the most profound
gratitude, l can but express my most hearty
thanks to the coed citizens Of the Common
wealth for the generous confidence and
partiality they have reposed in me by re-
election to the most honorable and most re-
sponsible position in their gift But know
/ ing well their exactions and requirements of
one who occupies position so exalted, it Is
with extreme difidence l again undertake
responsibilities Of such vast importance
which even the boldest and most gifted
might hesitate to assume. And however
determined may be my endeavors to re
allze the expectations OF my friends in sup
port Of the right, and to battle against
whatever in my judgment, may be wong.
still | am conscious Of the necessity for some
sustaining power, and, therefore, | un-
hesitatingly acknowledge my dependence
upon the enlightened support and patriot
ism Of my fellow-ci,izens, and my firm re
lance upon the uuerring wisdom and never
falling aid Of Him who controls alike the
destinies Of individuals and Of nations.
The settlement Of the vexed questions
growing out of the armed conflict with
treason, deyoves a mighty responsibility on
the loyal men Of the land Armed rebellion
was signally crushed By the force of armed
loyalty, and the government has trium plant
ly established its ability successfully to sup
press domestic iasurreetion, however eigan-
tic. The war itself has served to stimulate
our people to fresh energies, aud TO the de-
yelopmenr Of new enterprises Our man.
ufactories have multiplied, plenty has smiled
upon our feds, and blessed the labors of
the husbandman. Peace has restored our
people to their homes, and cheered our fire.
sides. The rates Of taxation have been re-
duccd, aud are entirely abolished upon real
estate for the use of the Commonwealth.
Our State debt is being steadily and surely
hquidated. Immense sums have been paid
for pensions and other charities. The cause
of education has advanced, and the institu,
tons for the support and tuition of the
soldiers orphans have been literally sup
Piled. Railroads have been constructed.
aud 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 in the foremost rank of the powers
of the earth. The great railroad which
binds our State to the Far West, and it in
turn to the oriental nations, has been com
pleted, and all our efforts to add to our
material prosperity have been crowned with
unparalleled ST ,cess.
Il was my privilege TO announce from this
stand, three years ago, the principles which
would guide me in the administration of the
Office Of Governor At that time | dweIt
; upon and expressed my views in reference
to all questions then occupying a share Of
public attention. / have since, from time
to time, in messages to the Legislature, set
forth tie condition Of the State, recon.
mended such measures as | deemed ex
pedieut and calculated to advance her in.
terests, and expressed my views upon the
various topics Of the day that were Of State
or National importance. And having fuly
reflected thereon, / am the more confirmed
therein, and know Of oreason why I should
not endorse and reiterate them as fully, on
this occasion, as il | again promulgated them
word for word And now, acknowledging
my responsibility 10 its broadest sense, as a
representative, to my constituents, and con.
sidering the magnitude Of the interests
which have again been committed to my
charge, feel it is due to the people and in.
cumbent upon myself, to refer them to the
documents indicated, for an outline Of thC
general policy which is intended as guide
for the incoming administration, rather thar
cucumber this address, or unnecessarily de
lay this audience with their repetition. !
have no new pledges to make, bur confident
|. ly refer to the record of my past life, a
evidence at least Of my zeal aud devotion t
the bsst interests Of my State and country
and for the rectitude Of my intentions. Anc
although the inability which ] bring to the
discharge of such high duties may be limit
ed, shall confidently rely upon the kline
indulgence Of my fellow citizens and upon
, Conscientious effort to uphold unblemished
and transmit untarnished to my successor il
. Office, and to posterily, the fair fame an,
7 good name Of our magnificent ola Common
wealth.
, Difficulties Of no ordinary character con
stantly surround your Executive officer j
! the discharge Of the many duties devolyin
: upon him. concerning each Of which ther
: may be conflicting opinions II being
: therefore impossible to satisfy all, his on
: saleguara TO adopt, and act in aecordanc
With th. .erliog and benefeant maxim