The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-03
INAUGURATION Of
GOVERNOR UTTER

4 any OF its parts. and that the trust I'M
posed comes from the whole people rather
| than from any part OF them. To that
| principle / pledge by every effort.
WHAT THE OATH INCLUDES
The oath OF office which has been sd-
ministered 10 those who have today ac-
cepted the trusts reposed in them by the
people OF our state includes three things,
II promises that the constitution and the
laws OF this state shall be observed and
supported, that the constitution OF the
United States shall be supported: and
that We will be true and faithful 10 the
state OF Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations. Few men would knowingly
disregard either provision OF this oath.
IL is comparatively easy to determine
our action as TO the law and constitution.
That which may give US concern Is the
fulfilment of our promise TO be true and
faithful to this state. This portion OF our
oath has always seemed 10 me the most
important. So many times We are called
upon 10 decide between interests which
are apparently antagonistic: so many
times there are presented for action mat
ters In which locality or friendship take
prominent part, that II becomes ex-
ceedingly difficult 20 know what is the
wisest course 10 pursue In such contin-
gency this part Of the oath We have taken
can well be used as our guide.
To be true and faithful 10 state IL 20
be true and faithful TO the interest OF its
people. The welfare of the people as
whole Is 30 determine our action. He who
seeks to arraign one portion OF people
against another portion, or who teaches
that the interest OF one Is superior TO the
interest of another. Is acting falsely 70
this oath.
THE GOVERNING PRINCIPLE
The welfare OF the people should be the
governing principle In our every action.
w hen we hesitate, as experiences has
proven that we many times do, let the
oath 10 be true 10 the state help us In de-
terminlng our action. Agreement IN what
that interest may be Is not to be always
expected. But the decision Is a personal
matter, and while the rule may influence
one In one direction and another In an
other direction. II 10 OF equal force for
both.
Surely there can be for us during this
session OF the general assembly no high
er duty or privileges than to be true TO
this state Small In area only. our com
monwealth is rich In tradition and In
history. Here have originated great prin-
ciples OF free government which are to-
day accepted the world over as the en-
bodiment OF the highest patriotism.
Founded In search for tho fullest liber-
ty of person and Of mind. IL has grown
10 be what II is--the home OF a contented
and a prosperous people. a people who
see I'm law and its observance the high
est end OF civil government.
GIVEN OF ITS BEST.
II has given OF It's best to maintain
the federal nation. from the day when
the right OF government without repre-
sentation was denied TO that when a
wholly free nation was threatened. Its
representatives have done their share 10
develop nation which stands today be-
cause OF It's material prosperity the won
der Of the world and because OF it's
freedom OF opportunity the mecca OF
the oppressed. IL has never fotgotten
that men not acres. mind not property,
rule. That which we enjoy today has
come because those who have gone be-
fore have been true TO the state. Can
we aspire 10 any higher ambition than
that those who come after us may en-
JOY life. liberty and the pursuit OF hap
piness In even n fuller degree because OF
what we have done I'm our timer Our
time IL now. Let us remember to he
true 10 this state. and then may II be
said of us:
Lot all good things await
Him who cares not to be great.
Hut as he serves or saves the state
on motion Of 8 w. X. Allen OF East
Greenwich the grand committee rose a nd