The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-03-06
INTERNATIONAL.
The Inauguration ofGoy' Henry NJ
Mathews--Large Crowd in
Attendance.
The Inaugural Address--Substan-
tial Language from a Sub
stantial Man.

yesterday, q large crown as
sembled at the capitol building to wit
ness the inaugural ceremonies OF the In
coming Governor, who was enthusiastic,
ally received by the populsee. All
available space about the buildiL g was
occupied, the windows being adorned
with the faces of handsome ladies, whose
presence gave an additional charm 70
the occasion, and must certainly have
made the new governor feel that ne
possessed the confidence of the people
whose servant he was about to become,
for where woman leads man must neces-
sarily follow.
THE CEREMONIES
were opened with prayer by the Rev. Or.
CUNNINGHAM of the Firt Presbyterian
Church. Gov. Jacob then introduced
Governor. elect Mathews, in neat and
happy speech of few moments duration,
and the new Governor was given the
most fsttering reception on his appear
ance, and it was some moments before the
loud applause subsidized sufficient for him
to commence the delivery of
HIS INAUGURAL ADpkEss.
Fsllo,o Enthusiastically CRATE
full for the honor of having been elected
to the highest office within the gift of the
people of my native state, am deeply
sensible of the great responsibility which
it devolves upon me. Conscious, too, OF
nv limited experience IN public affairs,
I distrust greatly my ability to discharge
we'll and satisfactorily the important
duties now before me.
Its, however, my earnest desire to have
the candid support and encouragement
of the wise and patriotic of all parties
who regard as of the first Importance the
welfare of the whole state.
A ter an earnest and honorable effort
to elect the candidates OF his choice, those
who represent what he considers the cor
rect principles of free government, the
election over, the lsbors of the party man,
as such, cease. He then, without CON-
promising or abandoning his opinions,
ascends to the higher plane of patriotism;
If of the unsuccessful party, to yield
cheerful scquiesrence in the result, and to
give cordial support to an admlnist1a-
ton established in the mode prescribed by
law. If of the successful party, to aid in
securing an administration which will
allay any bitterness engendered by the
strife of parties, which shall
be Just and impartial, fostering
every real interest Of the state, protect
ing all and expressing none.
The majority of the states now have
their traditional policies which have
been fixed for years in the minds and
hearts of the people, while the policy OF
our state may yet be said to be in the
process of formation. To avoid errors,
which it may be difficult if not impossi.
bic to correct in the future, demands the
united wisdom and earnest cooperation
of all who are interested in the good
government and advancement OF the
state, whatever may be their party ties
and political ends.
If we look back on the comparative
short period which has elapsed since the
beginning of the civil war we discover
great reason to rejoice at the harmony
which now prevails amongst all of the
citizens of our state, however widely and
harshly and bitterly they may have diff
fered in the past.
The condition of West Virginia. or
which is now West Virginia, during the
war and at It's close was very unlike that
of any other state. The people OF the
Northern States with rare exceptions
were thoroughly united in the support OF
the Government of the Union. The
white population of the Southern States
with but equally rare exceptions were
thoroughly united in an allegiance to the
cause Of secession. Here the native pop
ulstion was almost equally divided in
sympathy, conduct and active support
between the cause of the Union and the
cause of tho Confederacy. The contest
was thoroughly internecine. Each com
munity was divided, and many families
had their representative in both armies.
When the war ended, the most hopeful
who anxiously desired the estsb hnentot
a perfect peace, looked forward 10 n long
period to be characterize by ieuds and
strife begotton of the war 1t WAS, as
we then thought, not uaressonsbly sp-
pretended that for many years the politl-
cal parties of this Stale would be party
of Unionists and apsrty of Confederates.
To the credit of the intelligence, tenn
per, patriotism and hearts OF our people,
be it said, their apprehensions were
happily groundless. There has been here,
in degree unsurpassed and perhaps
unequaled elsewhere, muni1cence Of
good feeling. The legitimate results of
the war have been accepted in good
faith and political parties are no longer
aligned upon the dead issues
of the past. We have ceased 10
look back mournfully and have
"Let the dead past bury its dead"
and with re-orgsnized forces have moved
up to the living Issues of the present.
1t is true that in an animated cam
paign such as that through which we
have just passed, We
"Do as adversaries do in law
Strive mil Chilly, but eat and drink as
friends"
And when the contest is over only a
short time Is necessary to allay its ami
mosities and we unite in an effort to give
to our state an increased and permanent
prosperity. We recognize and admit
the fact that as all citizens constitute to
support the government. all are equally
entitled to its protection and should be
consulted in its administration.
When the existence of this state OF
feeling is fully recognized and the great
mineral resources of our state are more
generally known, We may confidently ex-
pect an influx of capital and immigrs.
ton.
We now have system of free educa
ton which has been pronounced by
competent judges one OF the best and
most efficient in the Union. Our
public institutions are we'll organ
lied, skilfully and economically man
aged. The mere exhibition at the
Centennial Exposition of specimens OF
our minerals, lumber, agricultural pro-
ducts and manufacturing articles, so
many of which were sent from this city |
of industry and successful enterprise,
has attracted attention in all unusual dc.
gree to our State. With a preserved and
Incre4 sed harmony, law-abiding spirit,
Sc s,,et laxrp bo of