The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-01-12
GOvERNORI
INAUGURAL ADDRESS

Governor Cox's inaugural address:
Standing here in the presence of
monuments of the past. and looking
out on the vast sea OF uncertainty
ahead OF us, there comes an over
whelming feeling of human limita-
tion. and our utter dependence on the
God of all nations. But we are
strengthened by the conviction that
He has enriched our history by His
design and will continue His bene-
dictions II we but hold to the ideals
upon which our government was
builded.
We assemble at the governmental
shrine of our beloved state, pledging
again our homage to those who long
ago made this day possible, and
swearing our faithful protection to
the treasured legacies bequeathed to
US, We cannot forget that our shrine
has been annointed by the blood of
brave men and the tears Of noble wo-
men. We cannot restrain the pride
in knowing that in war and peace
Ohio has made resplendent contribu-
tion in valor and statesmanship-
that her sons led the mightiest armies
of their day and assumed leadership
of the nation when storm and stress
called for men OF iron. STEPPED in
such memories We ought not fail
we cannot fail to see our duty now.
The rarest gift from Divine hands
is the desire to progress, and to build
better tomorrow than today. When
ever the blue prints of yesterday are
the unaltered architectural plans for
tomorrow, the hand Of decay, is in
sidiously. but surely tightening its
grip. We believe in exploring un-
charted seas, but not in pleasurable
adventure, and the safest fuel for the
cruise is the experience of the past.
Without chance assumed, there
would be no experiment, and if the
genius of man had not long ago turn
ed toward the solution of things un-
known, we would be living in the
jungle. Never before was there such
pressure of human intelligences upon
mystery and possibility as now and in
this wondrous day of achievement,
government, which is simply means
and method of human expression,
must go forward.
We have great problems to meet.
The world, in a sense, is to be made
over when passion dies and races of
men turn from the horrors of war to
peace. Our state has always been
chosen asylum for the oppressed, and
countless thousands will continue to
come. Let us so temper the restraint
of law with justice that every class
and creed will know its meaning, and |
become protectors of the ark Of gov
ernment We are expected in time of |
hazard, to protect every man, woman
and child within our borders-to en-
force the law with such firmness as
to preserve its majesty and dignity
to maintain that even-balanced rela-
ton to nation and community so nee
essary under our democracy in gov
search every lofty en-
deavor and give it such spur as func-
ton admits-to prevent inequalities
through administration policy or sta
tuary writ-to mark no preference
between labor and capital-to know
no difference between the rights of
cottage and castle. In short, to
make of government beacon light
of protection and helpfulness that
will be seen from every home.
Sensing as do these solemn obli-
cations l humbly invoke the guild
ance of an all-wise God, asking from
Him the light to point the way, and
the strength to do right.