The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-03
ROOSEVELT INAUGURATED.
Ex-GOvernOr Blacks welcome and
Colonel "Teddy,s', Address.


ALBANY, N. Y, Jan. 2.-Theodore Roose-
welt was inaugurated Governor of New York
to-day In spite Of extreme cold weather
the ceremony was witnessed by a great
crowd of people gathered in the assembly
hall of the Capitol. Preceding the inaugu-
ration there was a parade of civic and mill
tary bodies. Bishop Doane, of the Protestant
Episcopal diocese of Albany, offered prayer.
and Secretary of State McDonough admin
istered the oath of office to the Governor
elect, after which Gov F. S. Black welcomed
his successor, saying, in part: ITO all those
citizens who place integrity above personal
advantage there will arise from this occa-
sion a strong encouragement and a most
sanguine hope. Although the State is now
upon the fun tide of prosperity and many
full-grOwn evils have been killed and many
others wounded, yet there is much to be
DONE and the people welcome to this high
official post one whose career has demon
trated his integrity, his courage and his
skill. They have vested you with ample
power and they will exact great results,
but if the qualities that have thus far moved
and supported you hereafter keep you COM
pany, you will have nothing to fear and
the people nothing to regret"
Replying, Governor Roosevelt said, in part:
"A very heavy responsibility rests upon the
Governor of New York State, a State of
seven millions Of inhabitants, of great
wealth, of widely varied industries and with
q population sngulary diversified, not mere
~ IN occupation, but in race origin, in habits
of life and in ways of thought. II is not
an easy task so to frame our laws that JUS
tlce may be done to all alike in such a popu-
lation, so many of whom have interests that
seem entirely antagonistic. But upon the
fundamental issues of good government there
must always be unity of interests among
all persons who wish well for the common
wealth. There is less need of genius or any
special briliancy in the administration of our
government than there is need of such home
~ virtues and qualities as common sense,
honesty and courage. We must
realize, on the one hand, that we can do little
If we do not set ourselves a high ideal and
on the other, that we will fail in accom-
pltshing even this little if we do not work
through practical methods and with a readi-
ness to face life as ii is and not as we think
1t ought to be- Under no form of govern
ment is 1t so necessary thus to combine eff
ficiency and morality, high principle and
rough common sense, justice and the stur-
diest physical and moral courage as in Il
republic. 1t is absolutely impossible for a
republic long to endure if it become either
corrupt or cOwardly. If its public men, no
less than its private men, lose the ndis-
pensable virtue of honesty, if its leaders of
thought become visionary, doctrinaries, or if
1t SHOWS lack of courage in dealing with
the many grave problems which it must
surely face. both ct home and abroad, as it
strives TO work out the destiny meet for a
mighty nation. 1t is only through the party
system that free governments are now sue
cessfully carried on, and yet we must keep
ever wildly before that the usefulness
of a party is strictly limited by its usefulness
to the State and that in the long run he
serves his party best who most helps to
make II instantly responsive to every need
of the people and to the highest demands
of that spirit which tends TO drive us on
ward and upward. 1t shall be my purpose.
so far as I am given strength to administer
my office with an eye single to the welfare
of all the people of this great common
wealth.
At the public reception in the executive
chamber in the afternoon fully six thousand
y people grasped Governor Roosevelt's hand
and two thousand more were unable to gain
Aflmittanec Before the reception an elegant
bronco inkstand was presented to Governor
Roosevelt by the members of the Hamilton
Club, of Chicago, a large delegation of
which was present at the inaugural cere-
monies. The presentation was made by the
president of the club in the presence of the
delegation. Governor Roosevelt responded
thanking the club for its expression of es-
TEEN. He also received an autograph album
containing the signatures of the members
of the club. After luncheon there was re-
ception at the executive mansion.