Wilmington journal., 1874-01-09
VIRGINIA.
THE LEGISLATURE CONVENED.
INSTALLATION OF GOVERNOR
EEMpER
HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
RICHMOND. Jan. 1-Noou.-The
Legislature convened to-day at noon,
nearly every member OF both houses
being present. The organization hav-
ing previously been arranged i'll
caucus, the election of officers WAS
speedily gotten through with and re-
suited in the reelection Of all the
officers of the last session. except the
Sergeant-at- Arms, which office was
filed by the election Of j. r. Wall, OF
Frederick. The Senate and House
then went into Joint session and pro-
oceded to canvass the returns OF the
recent election for Governor and Lieu
tenant Governor, with the fo'i"win"
result:
12O. 1873; II. ". Hughes, 90, 439; ma
Col. Il. S. Withers, for Lieutenant-
Governor, WAS 81, 1916.
Immediately after the conclusion OF
the count, the Governor elect was
notified, and he proceeded to the E>,-
ccutive mansion where the oath Of
Office was administered to him by
uA4t VI tiiG Slisttt1'i, y
Court. Gov. Kemper then sent his
inaugural message to both houses.
In referring to the circumstances
arising from the recent changes OF the
law, that the legislature and executive
are both inaugurated at the same time.
he says it is not to be expected that
he should transmit detailed informa-
ton with recommendation OF the
government of races, he says, / 60 not
hesitate to affirm that 50 encouraging
and decisive has been the progress of
the last four years, SO clearly deVel
oped by the past are the obligations of
to-day, that if we are but guided by
prudence, if we go forward with cour-
age, tempered with forbearance, and
if no federal legislation shall intervene
to disturb the relations between the
races, we cannot fail to bring our great
experiment to successful and pros
porous issue.
He then refers, in tlatteriDg terms,
to the uniform system of free schools
for educating both races, which chal-
lenges comparison with any similar
scheme, and elsewhere he says that
the recent event proves how futile and
how disastrous to its authors must be
any future attempt to array the cOlored
race, as political combination, upon
any pricciple of antagonism between
the races, and further, that non-rcsi-
dents, whatever their claims to emf
nepcc, ability or philanthropy.
can never understand the character
and circumstances or wisely ;:dminis-
ter to the wants Of our cOiOrCd pOpuiu-
ton Ourselves and no others are
qualified to perform the tasks assigned
US by Providence, which, ii net re-
strained and thwarted by superior
power, we will perform rcsolutely and
etfectually, by promoting the best
interest OF both races. We intend to
perform it by scrupuolsly guarding
the newly acquired rights OF the col
orcd men. He next refers to imml-
grafton and capital as the two great
material wants of Virginia, and says
! the highest interests Of the whole conn
| try demand the speedy establishment
of a lasting reconciliation and the Ie-
| turn o. complete normal relations
| between the people OF the State On the
one hand and the people OF all tho
other States and TIE Government
of the United States OH the ether.
OF political party relations, the Clover
nor says Virginia recc,rI'js:'...r nC
| such obligations is bind ire j.. amy
National party organization. ii.a:ntA! n
ing hcr fidelity to all who are aud who
shall G>colnc allies III the dcicrs,- ui
measures calculated TO secure tie ends
named, is ready TO O.; operate corII
ailv with men oi WhateVrr f.i;,tv, il
uphuiding these measures h., ~s:'-I.I~n
| ever proposed. supporting . tlirsc whc
support them and opposing Il! G!'pp-i-
ton to them. lie recommends thc rs-
affirmation by the Assembly of ol.r 81
the Articles OF til" Conservatives plat
form, Judging the head Of the ItI"
I'll! Government inlpart!alr 10y his &c
tiOns and cooperating III every meas
ure OF his administration wheel
may be beneficial iii design and c.!cit-
lated to promote the welfare of the
people and promote sentiments "i
good will throughout the Union.
| He aiiudcs to the fact that
the dismemberment Of Virgins
during he war has left the o,d stat.
responsible for the whole Icbt, Wit
such conflict Of claims rs 20 render {;
compromise Impossible and leaves
both States without remcd-. Tho
| Government of the I. s., by It's action
has prevented the S'tat" from fulfilling
it's obligation and intcrvcncd between
| Virginia and her creditors. Without
any discussion OF the power OF tho
| Federal Government under ordinary
| circumstances to assume debts OF the
States, he arg,les that if the Govern
| ment Of the L. $. should now, i'll the
p,entitude of its wealth and power,
restore prosperity to our State, by as
| suming her debt, paltry burden on
the National Treasury, but grievous tc
us in our poverty, 1t would only y III
a small measure make Il return for the
vast donation with which the munifi-
ence Of Virginia endowed the Union
in its weakness and infancy. lie al
| ludeS to the fact that as a result OF
tho war, the burden of the State is
| greatly increased in the education OF
| the freedmen and support of colored
paupers, while the taxable property has
been greatly decreased, thus leaving
Virginia entrusted with the care OF
the education of more than half a
million Of the wards of the Nation,
without being provided with the
means of executing the trust. He
would deplore the Interference of the
| Federal Government with the public
| schools of the State as certain to re
suit III their destruction yet justice,
| humanity and the best interest of the
| cOlOred race and the country at large,
| demand that the National GOvCrnm cnt
| should furnish the State with the 1.t
cessary means to educate them. lie
| thought Virginia has less than one
| third of her proportion of the Ma
tiOnal currency, and demands that the
| Government should either afford
her her due proportion or re-
peal the existing tax on State bank
notes, thus allowing Virginia to pro
vide "A circulating medium Of her own
He urges that every effort be made by
the State herself to provide for the
public debt. He advocates liberal
provision as true economy in the care
of our public institutions, educational