The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-02-21
James ID. Porter Installed a
Second Time in the Guberna-
tOriaI Chair.


by side with the Governor. and Senator
Davenport and Representatives Key and
Wilson following in the rear.
When the Governor was announced
the members of the convention rose to
their feet, and the band struck up stir
ring air while the Governor was being
conducted to the Speakers stand.
The ceremonies were opened with
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Dorset. Rector OF
the Church OF the Advent.
TIE band played an appropriate air,
after which Speaker McAdoo arose and
said:
Gentlemen of the Convention, La
dies and GentIemen--I now present to
you the Governor elect"
THE INAUGURATION ADDRESS.
Governor Porter then spoke as follows:
Fellow-citizens of the Senate and the
House of Representatives appear be-
fore you this day to take the solemn
oath that I will perform with fidelity
the duties of the office to which l have
been elected by the people of Tennes-
see. In entering upon this great office,
for the second time, it is due to the PEG.
pie of the State that should express my
thanks to them for this new proof of
their confidence; it inspires me with en-
ergy and determination to perform its
duties with courage. The two years
past have been years of plentiful har
vests, the people of Tennessee have been
blessed with health, the cOmityof States
has been preserved, the order and secur-
ity guaranteed by the law has been
maintained; the people preserve their
ancient rights; power is exercised by ru-
lers appointed by themselves, they
mould, and form, and modify their laws
at their own sovereign will; the cause of
popular education is on the advance,
and yet we have not been rewarded with
the prosperity that usually accompanies
these conditions. Our people are dis
contented; property has deprecated;
confidence has been impaired; prices are
not remuneratiYe. Something of the re-
sponsibility of this must be attributed to
causes that originate outside of the State,
and are stimulated by agencies indie
pendent of our control; but to our own
internal policy and practice we owe
much for this condition; our legislation
has been excessive.
In State comparatively new, laws
must be modified and statutes amended,
but wholesale legislation leads the pub
lie mind into state of ''perplexity and
doubtful dilemma" and makes the citi-
zen discontinued with mis- own govern
ment, and with those who execute its
laws. Statutes should be measured fair
~ and go unaltered and without amend
ment until they are tested. The enact.
ment of ponderous volumes makes a
scarecTow of the law, stimulates litiga-
ton and brings confusion TO the minds
Of judges, lawyers and laymen alike.
When conservatism in legislation is
practiced the law
''SIts empress, browning good, REFRESHING H.
Federal legislation, contrived to fos-
ter and protect antagonistic interests,
coupled with our own Over-production,
has caused prostration in business; if we
would escape this condition, we must
disregard those capricious hum0rs of the
hour that ascribe personal blunders.
Let US multiply the varieties of our pur
suits; let us address ourselves to the Gre
alton of new industries and home mar
ket for our surplus productions; let US
make education free TO all the children
of the State; then we can exhibit to the
world State great in the area of ITS ter
ritory, great in the fertility of its soil,
and in the richness and volume of its
mineral deposits, but greater in the COM
handing excellencies of its institutions,
the impartiality of its laws and the viz
tue of its citizens.
Recent events have made deep innO-
vatiOns on the principles of the COnsti-
tuition, dad precedents live forever,
good ones only perish" Under cover
of the bad ones power is being consoli-
dated and centralized, and the barriers
of the State governments as coordinate
powers are being daily weakened. Mr.,
Jefferson said, "Giving a little to-day
and little tomorrow, advancing its
noiseless steps like thief over the field
of Jurisdiction, until all shall be usurp-
ed from the States and the government
of all be consolidated into one. When |
all government, domestic and foreign, |
in little as in great things, shall be
drawn to Washington as the center Of
fbaI
checks provided of one government on |
the other, and will become as venal and |
oppressive as the government from
which we separated" There is no |
peace, no solid order, no safety for our
selves except by the maintenance OF con-
liberty, and in this hour OF
public anxiety let us reaffirm our loyal
ty to the grand principle and our faith
IN its ultimate triumph.
At the close of the address, Chief JUS
ice Deaderick administered the follow
ng oath to Gov. Porter
do you solemnly swear that, as Gov
srnor of the State of Tennessee, you will
SUPPORT the Constitution of the United
states and of the State Of Tennessee,
md that you will faithfully maintain
md enforce the laws made in pursuance
hereof. You do further sOlemnly swear
hat you will faithfully discharge the
luties of Governor of the State, to
which office you have been elected.
You do further swear that you have not
directly, or indirectly given, accepted
)r knowingly carried challenge in
writing or otherwise to any person, be-
~ citizen Of this State, either in or
,ut Of the State, or aided or abetted
herein, since you have been a citizen
If the State, and that you Will not, dur
ng your continuance in Office, be guilty