The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-01-16
INAUGURAL SPEECH
GOV. cox SPEAKS OF HI1 DEEP
SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY
ON TAKING OFFICE.
New Executive Believes That State
Must Turn lite Face Toward the
Sunrise and Not the Sunset.

sunrise ano MOI tne Sunset'
Columbas.-In assuming the office OF
governor of Ohio James NJ. Cox deliv-
cred the following inaugural address:
To the People of Ohio:
indulge the hope that endorsement
will be given to a change in custom,
made this day, in taking from the in
augural address that part which deals
entirely with recommendations to the
general assembly, and submitting my
views to that body in writing. The
growth in the activities and scope OF
our government entails a legislative
message of such length as to encroach
on the proprieties Of this solemn occa-
sion, and work a distinct inconveni-
eEce and discomfort to the organiza-
tions and individuals, who in patriotic
fervor, desire to participate in the ar
rangements that are to follow.
Every impulse of my nature re-
spends to the highest sense of oblga-
tion for the honor now conferred, in
compliance with the suffrage express
sion of the electors, and yet, an appre-
citation of the responsibilities which go
with it, reminds us of human limita-
tions, and inspires the hope that our
endeavors along the lines of justice
and honesty, in the vision of the Ruler
of all governments, will gain the bene-
diction of His favor and assistance.
While the executive station is one of
generally accepted distinction, to me
it does not bespeak elevation above
my fellows. The relation of private
citizenship establishes an equal base,
but when one assumes the duties in
cumbent upon this office, a proper con-
ception of the situation makes him the
servant of the people, and unless he re-
spends to full appreciation of the su-
perior rights and powers of those he
agrees to serve, he begins either with
false vision, or with a species of trea-
son in his heart.
There is much in the theory of the
ancients that nothing makes stronger
appeal to the Almighty than the con-
gregation of people under peaceful
auspices for the purpose of refining
government to the needs and advance
ment of the race. II that were spec
tacle of such omen in olden days then
this day holds every portent for good,
because every community ia repre-
.sented in the festivities Of the occa-
sion and without regard to class or
bain otf nh ant fn
our Institutions of government.
Ohio is a wonderful state and rich in
the traditions that inspire proud
citizenship. Her fertile soil, pic
turesque beauties and delightful eli.
mate, attracted to her borders a sturdy
race of people, and they have builded
an empire in extent and treasure. It's
continued growth is dependent, IN
many ways, upon government, and
every change made bears direct inf1u-
ence upon our social and economic life.
We are entering upon new day. The
evolutions and processes Of time are
working great advances in every ac-
tivity of man. The forces of human in
telligence have carried us to point
of higher moral vision, and 1t would
have been distinct anomaly of his
tory If government had not been car
ried on in the progress of the time,
1t requires considerable faith in the
righteousness of cause to turn face
from the old order of things, mindf0l
that in the plans and policies Of gov
ernment about to be adopted are in
volved the hopes and aspirations, the
happiness and general welfare of five
million human souls
l sense, therefore, the sublime re-.
sponsibility of this hour!
But history tells us that while we
can profit immeasurably by the expe-
rience of the past, every government
that has endured kept its face toward
the sunrise and not the sunset of civ.
ilization. We must feed on the vitality
of growth; not on the decay of de.
cline. We reverence the works of our
fathers and seek to prove ourselves
the worthy sons of worthy sires, by
making as great development in our
Ilm6 DIS tuSy uduS III LuSlIo' OuIS ls
not the creed of the cynic, looking with
scorn upon the institutions of yester.
day. Civilization is simply relay
race, and unless We take it up with
the freshness of spirit with which our
fathers began it, the generation is in a
condition of certain decay. Mistakes
\ will be made, because government is
/ the creature of man. But if civiliza
ton from its beginning had followed
the course of least resistance and not
approached uncertainty with expert
mentation, this old world of ours
would present far different aspect.
An advanced civilization does not re
fine government from caprice, but
from necessity. The savage needs nc
government, because the interdepend
ence of human units is not char
acteristic of his existence. AS race
progresses dependence on each other
increases, and the meaning OF exac
Justice to all is understood and the en-