Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1876-01-21
Address off. r. Hartrauft

Address Off. r. Hartranft
Geatlemea Of the Senate and House Of
Representatives and FslLO,o Citizens:
Three years ago, when the oath of office
look otcasiut, TO arsp1ess stv Renss Ufa III,
infinite obligations to the people the State
who had honored me with repeated proofs
Of their confidence aud good opinion, and
il would be unworthy affectation if | did
aot now renew my acknowledgements TO
tne same generous constituency, who, after
a :hree years stewardship Of the highest
Office in their gift, have called me again to
assume its important duties.
The continued favor and inflexible sup
port nv conduct of public affairs has re-
ceived from the citizens Of the Common
wealth, bespeak from me in return, the
utmost zeal anG fidelity in their service,
and my highest ambition will be reached if
nv administration will be remembered as an
honorable one that studied and provided
for their best interests. | still have as
exalted an opinion Of the great trust YOU
have conferred upon me as when first cou-
fronted with its novel aud grave responsi.
bilities, and despite the experience had,
am none the less distrustful OF my abilities
to meet its requirements, but whatever
may be my other deficiencies, do not
know what it is TO be wanting in attach
ment to my State, or affection Tor her peo-
pie who have distinguished me with so
many oblising and conspicuous marks Of
partialiiy.
am not unmlndiul that the welfare and
progress Ola State depend less upon its
government and rulers than upon the habits
and circumstances of its citizens, and that
no measures Of administration can produce
any substantial good unless they are dctat-
ed by public opinion or are begotten of the
public necessities. A people must be rife
to reform or reform can work them no per-
manent benefit. Invention may exhaust
itself in contrivances of public utility and
rulers may be neyerso wise m their devices,
but if the dispositions and intelligence of
a people are uuprepared for the reception
of remedies theywil not lake root in their
affections or affairs.
Imbued with these convictions, the max
inns for the conduct Of my administration
were easily formed. 1t was only necessary
TO resolve that its acts should have no self
ish taint, that they should be cOlored by no
personal predictions Or warped by any
favOrite theories, aud that inspired neither
by fear nor favor they should aim to reflect
the peoples will With the lights with
which Heaven has endowed me | have
s.riven to adhere tU these maxims, and if
at any time | have failed 10 conform there
to it has not been from lack of patient in
yestigatiou and honest eXertiOn or Of a
tender and Jealous regard for tho honor of
apprehension of the wishes or needs OF her
people In the future then, as in the past,
as the Executive of the Commonwealth, l
can have no interest TO serve that is not
ther inieres, and can embrace no doctrine
or embark in auy cause that will not ad-
vance the material prosperity and promote
the enlightenment Of her citize ns.
Ny opinion upon the qestiOns that effect
the government Of the State have been pre-
sentcd in toy annual message and it is un-
necessary to again refer 20 them.
When we look around us, gentlemen ol
the Legislature, how various, multiferm
and intricate are the interests Of our great
Commonwealth. Certainly it is a proud !
TO be chosen TO administer the /
affairs of a State that has within her limits /
50 many Of the elements Of empire and il |
behooyes Us 10 see 10 it that neither lis dig I
nifty or prosperity suffer through any de- /
fault Of ours. Let ne remit no effort that !
will enlarge the happiness or beuifits Of her :
citizens /; let US be distinguished by loyalty /
TO her interests, by a jealous cars OF her