Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-17
GOVERNOR POWERS.

friends, met In the Governors
rooms at the Capitol where he took
the oath of Office before Chief JUS
tice Peyton. He is now Governor
of the State of Mississippi. 1t is
but natural that. the people should
feel more or less anxiety upon the
occurrence of such a change, and
especially after many of them have
been led to look with much unwar-
ranted distrust and jealousy upon
the motives and aims Of the new
Governor Owing to his Northern
birth and raising, and the fact that
he was not one of the Southern peo-
pie during the late unhappy strug-
| gle, leads many to believe that he
cannot sufficiently sympathize with
them and appreciate their wants
and necessities, to discharge the
duties of his Office with the truest
appreciation of the interests of
the people some may doubt his
capacity, and others again the hon
esty of his motives; and, in fact,
every variety of opinion, doubtless,
is entertained concerning the pro-
liabilities of his two years admins
tration. Now, we ask only this at
the hands of those who are in full
accord with his Inauguration: with
hold your judgment. until you have
seen his acts. Do not pass verdict
before you hare heard the testimony.
Governor Powers is a young man
of thirty-five years, and has been
but short time in public life, SO
that he is not expected to be
familiar with the tricks and ways of
experienced politicians, but he pos
sesses a superior and cultivated
mind, an unusual amount of sound
practical sense, strong unyielding
will, great honesty of purpose and
deep convictions of duty, especially
where principles of right or justice
are involved, and upon these quail
fications alone do we expect him to
rely in the performance of his Off
cial duties. His Judgment may,
and. doubtless will some
times err, but he will
never do wrong knowingly, however
much it might be of advantage to
him personally, or to his friends or
party. 1t is not of such stuff that
he is made. But Governor Powers
is by no means stranger to the
State, nor unfamiliar with her his
tory. Indeed, there are few men,
if any, within our borders that
know more of Mississippi since the
war than he does. He has been a
large planter in Noxubee county
ever since 1865, and intimately con-
nected with the work of reconstruc-
ton from its commencement down
to its close. For two years he Oc-
cupied the position of President of
the Senate with great credit to him
sell, and showed that he possessed
in large degree those qualities of
mind that are demanded in the
Executive of a great State. He
will be uncompromising and ener-
getic in the enforcement of the
laws, seek to make his administra-
ton as economical as the circum-
stances will admit, urge the reduc-
ton of taxes to the lowest amount
compatible with the necessities of
the Government, and in every res
pect labor solely and unselfshly for
the welfare of the whole people and
the best interests of the State.
Upon this every one may rely, for
we know the man, and are fully
convinced thatWe do not promise
too much for him. His party will
at all times find him true friend,
and can depend upon him for all
the legitimate influence Of his ad-
ministration, but he never will dis
honor the high Office he holds by
making it partisan in behalf of any
political interest. He will do what |
he conceives to be right and
nothing more. Such being the
character of the man and the al
most certa n results of his two years
administration, we can but con-1
gratrlate the people OF Mississippi
that Ridgley c. Powers is their