Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-12
EVENING, OCTOBER 10, 1871.

preserve the grand faith OF our State, by
placing her credit upon permanent ba-
sic, and at The same time relieve, If pos
sible, the burdens Of taxation If we
can inauguraie a policy by which these
most desirable ends can be obtained
we will preserve the honor Of the State
and confer upon the people blessings
that will secure their lasting gratitude.
| believe this can be done. Wisdom
will accomplish it. Applause. Heed
less alike Of the clamors Of creditors or
the willy opportunities Of Spectators, let
us keep steadily in view the integrity OF
the State on one hand, and on the other
the prosperity of our people, thereby re-
placing Tennessee in her true position
on the roll OF States, giving her a new
impetus in her career of glory, that
will attract hither the capital and labor
that will develop her many and varied
resources. Thus, in the early future,
she may become what she ought to be,
great State of American sisterhood.
The new constitution under which you
have been elected and organized, with
whatever good or evil it may contain,
was overwhelmingly adopted by the peo-
pie. a pernicious tendency Of the times
to centralise all power in the legisla-
tive department induced the framers Of
that instrument, among other things, to
curtail many prorogatlves heretofore
conceded to that branch Of our govern
ment 1t will therefore be your province
to adapt otf Legislation 10 that organic
law In the discharge of the duty inn
posed upon me, / shall endeavor to aid
you with such information as / can OBJ.
tain, aud by such recommendation as
my convictions of the public welfare
may dictate. Applause. OF this
be assured, shall use every means
at my disposal to execute your will
as declared in your deliberate acts,
without fear OF favor. The law mast be
respected. Crime must aud shall lie
detected and punished, so far as my far
ciities are furnished by legislation
(Applause. ( We have served our politi-
cal bondage; and while the experiences
of the past are bitter yet the pictures OF
the future are not dark. The growing
prosperity of the State is a subject ol
sincere coDgratulation, and the energies
of every industrial branch are qgickened
into new life, and the diversified sources
OF wealth are daily manifesting them
selves, and are being developed with ad.
vancing enterprise and intelligence.
The bright face Of hope peers out from
the breaking clouds and white peace
casts her soft shadows upon our foot
prints of war. With the recital Of oar
wrongs let us forget them, and bury for
ever the accrimonies they have engen-
lered. Let us shape our policy not so
much 20 censure or to justify the past as
to improve the present, and secure the
future. Although success has overwhelm-
ingly crowned the united efforts OF the
people of Tennessee in the first political
struggle, after the restoration Of the
ballot, yet the fruits of that victory may
be lost il we are not harmonious in sen.
timent and united in purpose. The i'm,
patience Of some and disappointment Of
others VIII now and then distract our
connsels, and threaten our integrity, but
let us stand firmly hy principle, preserve
our nrganzatiop, and await patiently
the great developments Of the future,
with the confident hope of tho speedy
restoration of Constitutional liberty TO
the American people. And may the
Supreme Ruler Of all things direct our
counsels to wise and harmonious re
suits. [Applause
Judge Turney administered the oath
of Office. After prayer by the Rev. Dr.
Summers, the convention adjourned. A
larga crowd of citizens thronged the
galleries % Sitpess the ceremony, Both
houses adjourned s7FH Eter,