The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1890-01-23
GOV. J. NJ. STONE.
Full Text Of His Inaugural Address
To the Assembled Legislature OF Mis-.
sissippi.
His Return TO the Executive Position
After Eight Years.
Losing in One Thing the State Can
Be Grateful for Another.
Confidence That the People viii Act
Discreetly as to a Constitutional Con-
vention-A Comprehensive Paper.

vention-A Comprehensive Paper.
JACKSON, MISS, Jan. l3.-At IL o'clock the
two houses met in JONI session in the hall or
Representatives, Lieutenant-Governor Evans
and Speaker Madison presiding jointly.
Governor-elect Stone entered arm-in-arm
with Governor Lowry, followed by the SUI
preme Court and the Inauguration Committee.
consisting OF NessrS. Thrasher, Hicks, Fair
ley, Taylor and Nolen on the part of the Sem
ate, and Messrs. Evans. Mcknight, Gillespie,
Watson, williamson, Allen and Campbell.
Bishop c. b. Galloway invoked blessing, as
follows:
40 Lord, we recognize Thee as the source of
all temporal as we'll as spiritual blessings.
Thou dost not only rule amid the armies OF
heaven, bnt Thou dost guide the affairs OF
earth. Thou art not only head over all things
TO Thy Church, but Thou art also the God OF
nations, administering the forces and infiu-
ence of tue planet for the triumph of right
eousness the happiness of mankind and the
salvation of the world. BY Thy bountiful
providence the earth yields her increase and
the fiocks their fatlings, so we have seed
for the sower and bread for the eater
by Thine own ordering we have good
government, wise laws, large liberty and a
o God, for Thy rich blessings, vouchsafed to
this great Commonwealth of Mississippi We
are grateful first of all, for the heroic men
and noble women who settled this section
bringing with them their sturdy virtues, their
high born chivalry, their affiueut generosity
and their Christian charity. We bless Thee
for the principles they planted in this genia
soil, for the heroic history they have written
and for the heritage of patriotic worth and
achievement they have bequeathcd for ouI
emulation.
1--WE thank Thee also, for the long line ot
Christian patriots who have held high place
among us and who never betrayed trust OF
brought dishonor upon the fair name OF Mis-
sissippi. Make us worthy, we pray Thee, oi
such an ancestry, and enable us to guard with
sacred vigilance the holy virtues that gave
glory to their names and greatness to our
Commonwealth.
"And now unto Thee, Great Governor of
nations, we bring our tribute of praise for
the blessings and lessons of this day, when a
new Chief Magistrate of the State is to be in
troduced to solemn duties and inducted into
grave responsibilities. We are grateful for
our peoples confidence in his tried integrity,
his wise craftsmanship, and his patriotic
courage illustrated in peace and war.
I'VE pray Thee to command Thy blessings
upon him to-day, and so replenfsh him with
wisdom and grace that his administration
may add lustcr to his virtue and great glory
to the State he has SO long and sincerely
served. And to this end give us as citizens
willing minds and strong hands to sustain
and encourage him in his arduous and re-
sponsible duties.
"And we pray Thee. Lord, to continue
Thy blessings upon Thy servant who retires
of.rht csNFf foff
full labor for the benefit of our people. May
Thy fatherly eye guide his steps and Thy
providence lengthen his days, that he may
long hive to serve his country as truly, though
less conspicuOusly, in the private walks of a
God-fearing citizen.
And now upon our new Governor and all
our State officers, Judges, Legislators and
citizens, may the favor of Heaven perpetually
abide; and unto Thee we will give all honor
and glory now and forever. Amen"
Lieutenant-G Governor Evans then introduced
Governor Robert Lowry, the retiring Gov
ernor. He was received with enthusiasm.
Governor Lowry said:
Gentlemen of the Iegislature-1n the last
moment of my term l am requested by a
Joint committee of your honorable body to
perfo IN a most agreeable and pleasant duty
that of introducing my worthy successor.
with whom l have for many years held cor,
heartily cooperate with you in every meas
ure that has for its object the interest, prog
ress, prosperity, honor and welfare of the
Commonwealth. Ii gives me pleasure 10 pre-
sent the Governor of Mississippi for the next
four years, Hon. John NJ. Stone.
The hall was beautifully decorated with the
rarest flowers. and the attendance was very
large, especially of ladies'.
Governor Stone read his inaugural with a
clear, full voice, and was frequently cheered.
When he had finished and announced his
readiness TO take the oath of Office, 1t was
administered to him by Justice Campbell,
and at l2:45 John Marshall Stone kissed the
Bible and affixed his name in q bold, firm
hand. thus consummating the final act which
again placed him in the Chief Executive
office of the State, after an absenc1 of eight
years.
The following 10 his inaugural address in
full:
Fellow Citizen
Twelve years ago. by your suffrage was
honored with the exalted position of Chief
Executive of your State. For the term OF
four years the high trust WAS administered
with honest purposes, and in accordance with
the dictates of my best judgment. Whether
that administration was successful or unsuc'
cessful whether 1t met with approval or dis
approval, have ever been consoled by the
possession OF an approving conscience. and
performed. And now, to-day, after lapse OF
eight years. called back by the almost unani-
nous voice of my people. again TO assume
the helm of your State Government, my heart
is not only filled with gratitude for your con
idence, but esteem 1t an honor OF which any
citizen might feel proud. and TO which few
men live to attain. trust, therefore, that
shall be pardoned for receiving this call from
the State as an evidence that my acts as 9
public servant were acceptable TO my fellow
citizens. But while deeply sensible or the
distinguished honor conferred, / cannot be
unusndful of the exacting duties of the place
or fail to appreciate the weighty responsible
ties / shall presently assume.
RETROSPECTIVE.
nat the beginning of my former Official tern
unity and harmony prevailed among US. and
especially among those of the political party
to which l belonged, which party then. at
now, comprised most of the intelligent tax
payers Of the state. Having but recently
emerged from the obnoxious domination o.
a political party antagonistic in feeling, par
n 70
ernment dissepsions and antagonisms among
us were hushed by the patriotic clamor for the
public veal. 1he hands of the administra
tion were upheld by the conservative Gle
ments of the State, and we stood unitet
against a common enemy, TO repair the disas
tors OF misrule and 70 inangurats S . pro pro
fary changes 10 the affairs OF the State coulC
but foreshadow the result. The burdens o
taxation had promises of early reduction
corruption In high places was promptly pur
sued and brought to justice by the stronl
arm of the law, and for the frst time sinc'
ls65 the light OF a better day broke. with 10
welcome beams. upon hitherto discourage,
and well-nigh ruined people.
May not cherish the hope that at the be
ginning OF my term of official service, i ma,
be favored with like degree of your conf
dence. and receive a like generous supper
from my fellow citizens rs alone made it pos