The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-12
WILLIS NOW GOVERNOR,
INDUCTED into OFFICE
CONTINUED from first pase.)
luton Of these great problems.
Self.goyernment ia nm trial,

Self-g0Vernment is on trial. Lin I
coin said Of it: I'VE shall nobly save
or meanly lose the last, best hope of
earth" That hope was "nobly saved"
by our fathers generation ago. we |
clnst not and will not "meanly lose" |
1t now. Mindful Of the past. cherish. |
ing its heroic memories and reverenc-
ing its well taught lessons, the people |
of Ohio have their faces toward the
future and will apply time-tried prin-
ciples of equity and humanity to new
situations arising from changed condi-
tions. Insofar as the activities of the
state can be utilized to humanize the i
relations between it's citizens 1t must
spare no effort to protect the weak,
to relieve the oppressed, to remedy in
equalities, to give hope and comfort
and aid to the unfortunate-all this
without injustice to any legitimate in
terest, individual or corporate. To
these policies of humanity, economy,
self.government and law enforcement,
the incoming administration-both
legislative and executives definite
ly pledged. Each department Of gov.
ernment is mindful of pledges public
ly made; sustained by an alert. dis
eliminating public opinion, 1t will dis.
charge its full duty under the laws
and the constitution. Fortunately for
the people in our state not all the ex-
ecutive power is vested in the COVER.
nor. The constitution provides for
the election of lieutenant governor,
secretary of state, an attorney gen.
eral, an auditor of state and treas
urer of state; these officials SO chosen
directly by the people themselves are
responsible to the people and have
duties to perform but little IL any less
III Importance than those assigned to
the governor.
1t is one of the evils of concentrat-
ed authority that the people come to
look to the executive solely for need.
ed changes in legislation, disregarding
their own immediate constitutional
representatives in the lawmaking
re sentatives a chance. They are able
to aid you in working out reforms
demanded in legislation. Keep in
close touch with them; assist them by
your counsel md advice; for in the
last analysis theirs is the responsible
fly of lawmaking and to them viii
properly belongs the credit for wise
legislation.
In due time the executive will com.
nunicate TO the general assembly his
recommendations as to legislation to
carry into effect the pledges upon
which majority of the members Of
that body are elected and to bring to
| the people the benefits Of a more
economical and less centralized gov
ernment Ny only recommendation
at this time Is that in the accomplish
| nent of these great reforms demand
ed by the electorate at the polls, there
| be as small volume of legislation as
is consistent with the public interest.
In the working out of these great
| problems OF government by the gen.
| eral assembly it is hoped that party
! lines will not be drawn as they GER
| tainly were not drawn In the election
| just passed With the flight of years
| party lines have loosened somewhat
| and a majority of the voters are no
| party, right or wrong" Political or
| GaniZatlons can no longer depend for
| success upon their great achieve
ments in distant and fast recedng
past; they must be alert, sanely pro-
| gressive and fully abreast of the
| times; If they would win they must
hold fast to the everlasting princi-
] pies of American selfgovernment and
merit the confidence and support Of
the electorate by demonstrating their
capacity for service and commencing
themselves to the judgment and con-
science of the people.
This mighty throng recalls other
iraugurations, different faces, strange
garbs back in the days when Ohio be-
gan to be. From out the hallOwed
mists OF q glorious past come the
faces OF the mighty men who have
adorned the executive office by their
service | may not name them but
the memory OF those courageous
hearts and giant intellects bids me
bow my head in humility. Our hearts
throb with patriotic pride at the men,
DRY of their mighty achievements. My
humble prayer Is not that | may ex.
Gel them but rather that | may pass
on to my successors unsullied what
these stalwart patriots OF genera
tion gone nave given to us unstained,
There Is inspiration in the thought
that from out the mysterious depths
OF shadow-land will come the sainted
spirits OF the mighty dead and stand
by our side and uphold our hands II
we fight for the right. l venture to
hope that from my illustrlous prede.
cessOrs still among us / may have
good wishes and friendly guidance in
4 conscientious effort to do the right,
even though passing political differ
epces have divided some of us. Yet
their friendly advice and the inspira.