Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-04

be taught to reverence and defend Il
as they would their own homes. and
firesides, because respect for the fiae
creates national pride. and in this man
ner all citizens become patriots.
The firm, determined character Of
West Virginians is becoming well
known, and will, sooner or later, be
come historic. Mountain-reared men
are always ambitious, and ambition
mixed with brains, cannot easily be
suppressed. The proud acts OF our
men are now the envy Of ambition.
We boast of good government, and
upon this depends the safeguarding OF
every interest of our people. We have
no classes or caste-all are freemen,
and all have but one ideal and des-
-iny-that Of exalted citizenship.
Much, my friends, that l started out
to accomplish has been left undone,
and yet what has been done, I trust,
has been for the good of one and all.
Some of us are partisans, but above
and behind it is a greater love for
country and State. I would have done
much more, but the times seemingly
were not ripe for the introduction of
many changes, which to me appeared
as ideals. These will come later on.
Happily the world is moving forward
not backward. and / look for greater
growth under my distinguished success
sor along the lines which | have en-
deavored to blaze out.
We are living under a new dispensa-
ton in the government of our Com
~monwealth, and | believe it Is general
ly conceded that the measures have
not suffered by the change. With rapid
and steady step our State is marching
to the front. We possess natural re-
sources in many respects unsurpassed.
In this driving, work-a-day age, 1t is
a question, in business, as in every
thing else, of the survival of the fittest.
Having the best qualities and the
greatest quantities of coal, and oil, and
gas, and timber, rich soil and a eli
mate and location unsurpassed, West
Virginia inevitably, in these great re-
sources, must lead all of the other sis
ter States.
l beg to urge upon my successor,
and l know he will not fail in this
respect, the maintenance of high ideals
in educational and moral work and
worth, upon which, more than all
things else, must depend the progress
and prosperity of the State.
1t is gratifying to me, my fellow cit
liens, that the great political party
to which l have the honor to belong,
remains in the a~scendency in the
Mountain State" 1t is a party of the
present and of the people. To act, to
assume responsibilities, to go at every
problem to solve and settle it-this is
the genius of the Republican party. 1t
despises evasions, it detests compro-
misses, it rejoices in opportunities. For
more than a quarter of a century,
nearly every line Of American history
is but the life-story of the Republican
party; and yet, while l believe all this
is true, it is the duty of the Chief Ex-
ecutive of a State to rise above party
in order that he may subserve the in
terests of all the people. The people
are the State, and their interests should
at all times be guarded and protected.
Knowing my successor as / do, / am
sure he will be just and reasonable
and fair, and / bespeak for him a
brilliant and successful administration.
A word or two more in conclusion.
AS | retire from the executive chair of
State, | desire to thank all my fellow
citizens of the State l love and whose
interests and development I have done
MY utmost to advance, for their con-
fidence and support. ] desire also to
thank my friends not only for ele-
waiting me to the highest Office in the
State, but for their counsel and sup
port in times of trial, which often
bordered on distress. AS we cross the
threshold of a new century in which
the art of human government and com
position of citizenship will have wider
and greater possibilities than eve be-
fore, let us look to God for courage,
love and humanity, which shall keep
West Virginia in the national constel-
lation of States 8 the bright star that
shall never set.
My countrymen, I take unfeigned
pleasure in introducing to you my sue
cessor as the Governor Of your State,
the Honorable Albert B. White, of
Parkersburg, an educated, broad-mind-