The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-09-18
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOV
ERNoR KNOTT.
FeHow Citizens.

avail mysclI OF tnlS OCCASION 10 ac-
knowledge my profounacst gratitude
to those whose generous confidence
has elevated me to the distinguished
position upon which / lam about to
enter, but requires that the solemn
and final act by which | am to be in
vested with the exalted Office to which
| have been chosen should be accom-
panied by at least Il brief expression
Of my views with regard to the prin-
ciplcs which should control the ad-
ninistralion Of its grave and impor-
tant functions.
In conforming to the precedent es-
lablished by that practice, however,
it is scarcely necessary that | should
indulge in any laborcd attempt 10
heighten the impression of my sim
cerity in the simple declaration that
every energy of my intellect shall be
d voted to a competent understand
ing of the Difficult. and delicate du-
ties involved in the dignified trust TO
which l have been called, and that it
shall be my constant and earnest pur-
pose TO discharge them faithfully,
learlessly and fully. Such declara-
tion, indeed, may itself be considered
a matter of supererogation, perhaps,
as it is fully implied if not distinctly
expressed in the official oath | am
about to take.
In that oath | am TO promise under
every obligation that can possibly
appeal 10 an enlightened conscience,
that | will support the Constitution
of the United States and of the State
Of Kentucky; that Twill be faithful
and true TO my native Common
wealth, and administer the functions
Of its highest executive magistracy,
to the best OF my ability, according 10
law. No studied arrangement of hu-
man language, however eloquent,
could increase the gravity or enhance
the solcmnity Of that brief but COM
prehcnsive vow. No vehement pro-
tcstation of personal devotion TO its
requirements could strengthen their
binding force, and no declaration,
however fcrvid, could add TO the sub
Unity Of the simple invocation OF Di-
vine assistance by which its sincerity
is to lie attested.
The pledge of fidelity to the Federal
Constitution, and to the organic law
oithe State, which have SO frequent
ly taken OH other occasions, and which
am now TO renew under circum-
stances of such extraordinary moment
TO myself, has always impressed me
as one of the most important obliga-
that could be imposed upon The hu'
man conscience. The primary pur-
pose for which constitutions are or.
daincd is not SO much TO insure the
performance of functions prescribed
as to prevent the exercise Of authorl-
~ withheld: not so much TO rcstr,i
those who are governed us to protect
them from usurpation and oppression
by carefully limiting the powers &,
those who govern; and II is the con
slant and jealous observance of thu
Limitations thus imposed which con
stilutcs the one Indispensable condi
ton upon which the pcrpetuity Of Re
publican institutions, and the consc
quent preservation Of popular liberty
depend. Fealt. TO fundamental law
is, therefore, the paramount obliga
ton of all who are entrusted by
free people with power, as 1t is til
only guaranty of good government
and the ultimate security of sovereign
citizenship.
| This Is especially true under a po
litical system like our own a system
comprising two distinct government
organic d for different purposes cac
supreme within the sphere prescribe
by its own organic law: each subjcc
to dangerous abuses resulting from
disregard IF its constitutional limits
tions, aud between which the mos
disastrous collisions arising from tn
same cause on the one side or I'll
} other, are constantly liable to occu
threatening alike the integrity OF til
Union and autonomy of its constitl
ent Commonwealth.
In conformity, therefore, to Il
leading requirement Of my otlicia
oath, as veil as with the plaincst di
tatcs Of an enlightened patriotism,
shall be my constant pleasure, as
will be my highest duty, to suppo
: the Constitution Of the United Stat
and that of the State which has hoi
ored me with the most distinguish
position known to its laws, not onl
In their delegation, but in their linn
iations of authority; to cheerful
.ustain the Federal Government
he legitimate exercise of all tho po,
rs delegated to it and promptly pr
tcct the Commonwealth to the u
most of my ability in those whi'
,ro reserved to itself, coniributil
thus to the "maintenance Of the OF
in lis entire constitutional vigor
he sheet anchor of our peace at hor
and our safety abroad, and TO {
/, support Of the other in all its riel
as the safest administrator of our d
1 II 4 i.