The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-13
Especial to The Messenger.)

Especial to The Messenger.) -
Raleigh, n. c., January 1.-THE :ol-
lowing is the full text Of the inaugural
address of Governor r. B. elena,
delivered today before an enthusiastic
audience at the Academy of Music.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly,
Friends and Fellow Citizens:
-Four years ago at the close Of an
administration that engendered bitter
ness between the races, and sprona1ed
rot instead of peace the present re-
firing administration commenced it's
aruouS labOrS, under an amendment
to our organic law, far-reaching in it's
provisions, and untried as to it's re-
suits. Enemies of the measure pre-
dicted that dire calamity would follow
/ It's enactment and enforcement, hat
/ race prejudice would be deepened, and
la wleSSleSS and disorder prevail:
While it's friends claimed, that by cur
failing the Negroes power at the ballot
box, and eliminating ignorant and ir-
responsible blacks from participating
| in state and county government, order
EWould be brought out of chaos, and
keace and safety assured.
The effects of the amendment have
been most beneficial. There is now no
! friction between the races, and our
state, after bitter turmoil, stands re-
neWed and strengthened in all matters
1nVovlng its material. educational and
moral welfare. Today, no one save
the vicious, who desire to use the ne
gro's vote for corrupt purposes, would
willingly see the amendment repealed,
and a great majority of our people, if
the constitution of the United States
shall rightfnlly demand it, would rather
give up a part Of our representation in
congress than return to conditions that
confronted us prior to it's enactment.
FOUR YEARS OF PROSPERITY.
Looking backward, Ne see a four
year era of state prosperity; for while
We have heard Of wars IN the far east,
Arace troubles and labor dissentions, in
Pther states, and know that pestilence
nd famine ave come with ruin and
Eeath into other lands, none of these
Evils nave troubled us, but our people
happy and contented, have been thank
full for mercies received, and rejoice in
Btheir intelligent progress.
Our farm products have usually
brought fair prices, enabling our farm
ers to pay their debts, and improve
/ their lands. Business has generally been
1 good, with only few failures, while great
enterprises, furnishing new markets,
and paying good wages have been es-
tablished in many localities.
Education has received a new I'm
petus; law and order have been main
tanned, and mob law scarcely heard Of.
Our people are living sober, Industrious
lives, with work for all willing hands,
SO the incoming administration Will
have little to do but push forward along
hines that have added SO greatly to our
wealth and improvement.
The state at large can truly say, to
lie retiring administration, We'll done,
bou good and faithful servants"
Death only, in it's natural course, has
east its shadows over us, for during
these years we mourn some of our o
lest and best, occupying all conditions
and callings of life, and notably among
them, one of North Cardinals most gift
ed sons, Matthew w. Ransom. Truly
We can sorrow over this old man
great who as soldier, orator, states
man and citizen in war and in peace,
ever stood for the defense, upbuhding
and glory of the state he loved so well.
Looking to the future, we will not
attempt in detail to map out any fixed
policy for this administration, preferr-
ing to meet emergencies as they come
sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof" only suggesting certain meas
ures that may aid in our development.
IMMIGRATION.
In the past, as a state, we have been
too modest n shown too little self
assertion, thus detracting from our dig
nifty and worth, and leaving the world
little acquainted with the of
our land, the worth of our people or the
history of the commonwealth.
For examples, every patriotic North
Carolinian glories in the Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence made on
the Goth of May, ITS, yet not having
given, until recent, proper publicity Of
it's authenticity, outsiders believed it
a myth, and spoke of it as without
foundation. So likewise. we know, the
valiant part taken by our state in the
civil war; in the defense of the South
- and it's great principles, yet for
MS our true position remained in
Erkness, and it became the patriotic
uuty Of our present distinguished
Chief Justice with his corps of p
ole writer's, to prove to the listening
world, that we not only furnished
more troops than any other state, &C
cording to population, but were also
first at Bethel, last at Appomattox,
and farthest to the front at Gettys-
burg. In the same hurtful, negligent
tanner, we have failed to a known