Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-01-20
mAUeVRArIoM or GOV SAFE.
us Inaugural Aaaress

- @'~NS NAaNH 10 our state
capitol one of the largest and most
enthusiastic crowds ever assembled
within Its walls. Almost everv
county in the State was more or less
represented by the supporters,
friends and admirers of the new
Governor-elect. The day was mild,
bright and beautiful. The ceremo-
ny took place in the capacious hall
OF the House of Representatives,
which was crowded to overlooking
on floor and in the galleries. Many
ladies' were present To witness the
interesting event. The decorations
Oh the hall were elaborate and tasti-
~ arranged. Two large United
States flags were displayed against
the sides of the galleries. The space
around the Speakers stand and the
clerks table were filled with living
plants and evergreens. The Me-
chanic's band was on hand and
played many beautiful and patriotic
selections. The Burns artillery
fred salute of thirty-eight guns
while the preliminaries were being
arranged.
Precisely at noon the Sergeant-at-
arms announced the approach of
the judges of the Supreme Court
and next came the retiring Govern
or, Hawkins, and Governor-elect
Bate, arm in arm. The ceremonies
were opened with prayer by the
Rev. J. B. McFerrin. Governor
Hawkins next delivered his vale
dictOry, which was short and APP
prOpriate. After music, Governor
Bate delivered the following address
which was listened to with rapt
attention and loudly cheered at the
close:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the House
of Representatives, and you, Ladies' and
Gentlemen-my FellOw-citizens:
At no time in the history of Tennessee
has an incoming Legislature been looked
faction and deeper anxiety than this.
Certainly no one has met under more Pc
enIlar auspices or invested with more deii-
cate trusts neither has one heretofore as
sembled brought with IL the wishes of con-
stituency more generously confided or more
GL LLlIS r voiced 5y ma]or1iles at the
noble people, go out for, and unto you, for
just, wise, honorable and successful legisla-
ton. Then Is IL not the duty, il should
be the pleasure, of those thus entrusted with
these solemn duties and powers of legisla-
tionl TO implOre and rely upon the him who
m and
Tor his guidance, in this delegated work. so
deeply involving the veal or woe of this
great commonwealth.
From the Olden to modern times every
government Of liberal organization national
or state, has had Its financial troubles and
In the light OF history can II not be truth
those financial troubles grew out of war,
foreign or domestic, or obligations were Sc
riOusly affected by IL, the final adjustment
and relief has generally come in a spirit OF
compromise by waving rigid technicalities
and enforcing just, liberal and honorable
equities. ...
Tennessee to-day finds herself confronted
with just such obligations; and after
peated and unavailtng efforts, heretofore
made by conference with creditors, and by
legislative enactInents, and recognizing the
fact that this is a government of, by and for
the people that all power is inherent in
them and they, as voters and taxpayers,
are the real parties to whatever OBLIGATIONS
exist against the state-has, as she ought to
have done, spoken through her source of
power, the balIot-box, in no uncertain tome
and sanctioned by an overwhelming ma
jority, the proposition TO tender to her
creditors a settlement, which is alike lust
and honorable to ali parties concerned.
By this expires sion, so recently given, IL
Will be seen that Tennessee does not shrink
nom assuming 10 pay, according to the let
ter and spirit of her obligation, however
burthensome 1t may be, that which she be-
lieves and acknowledges she justly owes,
known as the estate debt proper"
That known to the public, and named in
the official reports of most of our state
comptrollers, as contingent" or railroad
indebtedness;'- being in dispute, and our
liabilities for il questioned by large por-
ton OF Intelligent and patriotic voters and
taxpayers OF the state, and who likewise
claim equities, as just and honorable Off
sets, she, by a decided vote, authorizes,
in a spirit OF compromise, tender Of terms
of settlement to creditors, of One-half of
principal and interest; which, IL is hoped
and believed, will be met in the spirit with
which It will be rendered, and a full, final
and satisfactory settlement affected.
Among other questions of moment, and
with which you have TO grapple, is the spir-
II of monopoly that is rearing its ominous
i've steps upon the rights of the people.
Those who have been chosen as guardians
of these rights, in these times distempered
by lobbyism, with its baneful fruit of Lrib-
cry and corruption and official defalcatiOns,
must and will stand faithful sentinels on
this, the watchtower of their citadel.
While corporations should have all Just
rights maintained and proper encourage
ment to make their work useful and profit
strength and strain for unjust power as they
are prone TO do, they should be checked by
lines of legal limit, and told in unmistaka-
BILE terms Thus far thou shalt go, and no
farther" The spirit of resentment OF in
tolerance, however, should not stir the
storm of passion, nor ride on the wave of
prejudice, but give way to that calmer rea-
son which respects the rights of all If law is
as IL is said to be, the perfection ofreason,"
then that reason should be alike the shield
10 innocence and the sword To guilt. 1t
should protect and punish alike the official
and unofficial, the rich and the poor, the
humble and the great, the black and white
when the law fails in this, IT fails In its
grand mission.
Our State, SO full of eventful history; so
renowned in council and in arms; with
only one-fourth of her 26,0O0,OO0 of acres
under culture, exhibits but tardy progress
States.
It's true that the ravRges of the war dur
ing our Interstate struggle, and the little
less destructive consequences that immedi-
ately followed. crippled the material re-
sources paraly zed the energies of our once
6allot-denied people, and gave additional
not at a time like this sing the Had of our
woes, but be done with the past, save to
profit by Its experience and enjoy the |
aroma of its history for Hope. with pleas |
ing prospects beneath her bow of promise, |
smiles as she beckOns us TO the future |
and il should be done with unfaltering |
step. |
Then let US like the antique wrestler, !
when thrown in the struggle, rise the /
develop according TO our means and oppor- !
tunities.
We have here in our own Tennessee, gil |
gantic mountains, In whose bosomS slumber |
untold treasures of the finer and base metals |
while, invitingly near. are fuel deposits, |
with which these metals can be reduced |
and utilized valleys, rich and extended,
that yield readily to the touch of husband
~, and render back to the tOiler, rich l
abundance, natures kindliest gtfts-inter-
spersed with highways, natural and artih-
cial, though which the blood OF commerce
flows, it enlivens and vitalizes the ele-
ments of development. Near the centre of
great country, where the throbs of her
mighty heart beat in unison with the eX-
tremities; where, from her geographical
locality and diversified interests, she is
necessarily sympathetic with all parts OF
the country; where climate, while IL gives
strength and vigOr to the sinews of man
hood, invites the rose of health to nestle
and blush upon the cheek of beauty where
college and school scatter the gOld-dust of
know. wedge DER the budding intellect of
rising generations, as the church, In free
il where hberty's box is no longer guarded
by bayonets. as the ballot, unobStructed,
falls in its sacred precincts, and with tails
manic power, executes freeman's will, |
ms lightning does the will of God" Jap
Through this silent, bat mighty agency,
the ballot, the people have voiced their
will, and babe Tennessee return from her
and stand. once again, as one of
the nOmtna clara among union OF Demo-
cratic sister States. Applause.
These mountains, these valleys, these
these schools, this sacred ballot
box, fndisSOlubly connected and tnterwo-
ven with the honor and glory of Tennessee,
have for the next atwo years been placed,
legfslatiYely, under your care :-That the