The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-01-26


AUGURAL AS GOVERNOR OF PENN
sYLvANIA, ON THE 18th DAY OF
JANUARY, 1876.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of
Representatives and Feiio,C Citizens.
Three years ago, when the oath of
Office was administered to me as Exc
cutive, took occasion to express the
sense of my infinite obligations to the
people of the State who had honored
me with repeated proofs of their con.
fdence and good opinion, and it
would be unworthy s1ectation if did
not now renew my Acknowledgements
to the same generous constituency,
who, after three years stewardship
of the highest office in their gift, have
called me again to assume its impor-
taut duties.
The continued favor and inhexible
support my conduct of public affairs
has received from the citizens Of the
Commonwealth, bespeak from me in
return, the utmost zeal and fidelity in
their service, and my highest ambition
will be reached if my 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 confronted with its novel and
grave responsibilities, and despite the
experience had, am none the less dis
trustful of my abilities to meet its re-
quirements, but whatever may be my
ether deficiencies, l do not know
what it is to be wanting in attachment
to my State, or affection for her peo-
pie who have distinguished ME with
so many obliging and conspicuous
marks of partiality. am not un.
mindful that the welfare and progress
of State depend less upon its gov
ernment and rulers than upon the
habits and circumstances Of its citi-
zens, and no measures or administra-
tion can produce any substantial good
unless they are dictated by public
opinion or are begotten of the public
necessities. A people must be ripe for
reform or reform can work them no
permanent benefit. Invention may
exhaust itself in centrivances of
public unity aDd rulers may be never
50 wise in their devices, but if the dis
positions and intelligence of people
are unprepared for the reception eff
remedies they will not take root in
their affections or affairs.
Imbued with these convictions, the
maxims for the conduct of my admin
istration were easily formed. 1t was
only necessary to resolve that its
acts should have no selfish taint, that
they should be colored by no person.
al predictions or warped by any ia
vorite 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 striven to adhere
to these maxims, and if at any time
! have failed to conform thereto it
has not been from lack of patient in
vestigation and honest exertion or of
tender and jealous regard for the
honor OF the State but from a miscon-
ception or misappreheusion of the
wishes or the needs of her people. In
the future then, as in the past, as the
Executive of the Commonwealth. |
can have no interest to serve that is
not her interest, and can embrace no
doctrine or embark in any cause that
wllt not advance the material pros
2erity and promote the enlightment
of her citizena.
Ny opinions upon the questions
. that effect the government of the
State have been presented in nv
annual message and it is unnecessary
to refer to them.
When we look around US, gentleman
of the Legislature, how various, multi-
form end Intricate are the interests of
our great Commonwealth. Certainly
1T is proud distinction to be chosen to
administer the affairs of State that
has within her limits so many of the
elements of empire and il believes US
to see to 1t that neither its dignity or
prosperity suffer through any fault of
ours. Let uo remit no effort that will
enlarge the happiness or benefits of
her citizens; let US be distinguished
by loyalty to her interests, by a jeal.
Gus care of her institutions, a liberal
understanding of and provision for
her necessities, by humane atten.
tion to the wants of her poor and
afflicted, and enlightened treatment
of bor a orinnipaI olasaaa 81 -