Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-01-01
GOVERNOR TYLER'S ADDRESS

| uUf ERNUN LEN = hDDREOG.
RICHMOND, Jan. 1.-Major J. Hoge
Tyler was to-day inaugurated Governor
of Virginia in the presence of the mem
bers of the Legislature and large
crowd. he spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the Legislature of Vir-
GINA:
I make most profound and sincere ac-
acknowledgement of your kind invitation
to have these inaugural ceremonies in
your presence, and in this hall hallowed
by the memory ofso many sacred events
10 the history of our beloved State. 1t
seems to me that there is something of
eminent appropriateness in the E1ecu-
tive of State subscribing to his oath
of Office before justice of the highest
court in the Com monwealth, end in the
presence of the law-making body. 1t is
a common point upon which these three
separate and CO. ordinate departments of
the government can come together as
for moment, and, claspiDg hands, give
to each other inspiration for the faithful
discharge of the high and sacred duties
that have been imposed upon them by q
confiding people. In all our work let US
remember that we have taken solemn
oaths, saDctifed as has been the case to-
day, by the prayers Of the sanity man
of God, whose reverent voice on so many
similar occasions has made petition to a
heavenly throne for wisdom aud guild
apce for the rulers of our great Com
monwealtb.
Let US not forget that we have pledg.
ed the best services we can render, and
without fear, favor, or affection resolve
that We will faithfully discharge our
duties. You have already shown in the
thirty days of your session, that you are
fully alive to the needs of the people,
and am aware of the TACT that this is
not the time or hour for me to dwell in
detail on measures l might bring to
your attention. At the proper time, if
occasion requires it, / may make sug-
gestons on special subjects with hope
of aiding you in the discharge of your
arduous duties.
hope I may be permitted to take ad.
vantage of this occasion to make my
acknowledgements to the people of Vir-
ginia for the high honor they have con-
ferred upon me, and to assure them OF
my regard for those things that are dear
to the hearts of us all, and of the sense
of responsibility resting upon me in CIV
ing to our Commonwealth interest, es
far as my authority extends, full protec
ton and fostering care. The people OF
Virginia have right to expect much OF
their public servants. Serving the State
in this Commonwealth has been made
I sacred by the unselfish patriotism and
trauscendent wisdom of the worlds
foremost political thinkers, writers, and
warriors. Icould not hope to equal many
who have gone before me, but to the
best of my ability I would not dsappoiDt
the kind friends whose efforts have
brought me to this place and hour.
The present has its duties and its
problems no less urgent and momeE-
tous than the past. 1 believe in that
sublime political proverb: Eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty" AS q
fitting preparation for the exercise OF
such vigilance am glad to say here
at the outset, that to whatever duties
the present calls me can bring an un.
fattered, uncommitted, untrammeled
freedom of thought and of action. No
one 10 this commonwea lth can rise up
and say truthfully that to further any
personal ambition of my own l have
ever made any trade, combination, or
promise either as to men or measures
I have borne the commission of the
democratic party as set forth 10 its
platform of principles, and to that only
do I stand committed. 1 would not
thus emphasize q condition that should
accompany all public service, save for
the fact that it may be Of benefit to the
young men of my State. Too many
evil minded men are gaining puolic
vantage round in the various COM
monwealths of our American republic
by the shameless barter Of sacred
trusts, and the use of improper means
for self aggrandizement. Too often
the minds of the young are led to be.
lieve that the old-time honor and dig.
nifty of public station has departed. |
can say to our Virginia boys that the
people are true, and kind, and honor
able. / have gone among them and
found that the high ideals of our polit-
ical system have not departed from
them.
Add as I stand here to-day virtually
in the eyes of all the Virginians, /
would say to the young men of my
State, resist the insidlous increepings
of the scheming demagogue. and the
imported barter Of public sufirages; re-
main true to the best traditions of this
noble State; commit your ways 10 pur-
ity of private life to your fellow citi.
zsns. and let all your public aspira-
lions accord with an honesty of public
purpose. This you will find the only
sure road to the permanent good will
of this people.
Virginia would set noble example
to her sister States of this union and be
worthy of leaders, place in the future
which she so grandly held in the past,
if she would forever set the seal of her
condemnation upon the bold effrontery
of those who would debauch the peo.
ple's suffrages, and peryert their will
by the shameless use of money aud the
power OF combined influences. Here
lies the gravest menace to our republic.
And in taking upon myself the exact.
ing duties of this high station I would
feel derelict in those duties at the very
outset, If did not ask the Legislature
OF my State to cooperate with me in
making offenses of this kind so clearly