Year: 1864

luL Cu


Gentlemen of the Senate and House Of


Representatives.:


Obedient to the mandate of the people, I
appear before you to-day to assume the
duties Of chief magistrate Of the State Of
Ohio. I am not ignorant of the magni-
tude and importance of the position, nor
unmindful Of my own want of experience
and ability to 50 administer it as to satisfy
the expectations of the people who have
chosen me. Most gladly would l have
seen its honor and duties imposed upon
some ADLER citizen of the State; and it is
with no ordinary degree Of difidence that
I assume to-day its labors and responsible
ties. 1 can only assure you, gentlemen,
and those you represent, that 1 bring to
this position fixed determination to dis
charge It's duties to the best of my ability,
in spirit of unyielding faithfulness and
integrity to the State, and impartiality and
justice to the people.


There is a significance in the recent ex-
preston of the popular will that relieves
US all from many of the embarrassments
that usually attend such events. 1t her
aids no mere party triumph-it is no in
dividuaI success. No mere partisan effort
could have achieved such a victory; no
man in the State is worthy Of, or could
have received, so sublime an ovation. 1t
is a spontaneous declaration Of the intense
loyalty of our people to their government.
and bcaringwith 1.-THE stern commandment
that every energy of their State, and every
exertion of It's rulers, shall be given to
the restoration of that government to its
original unity and power. 1t not only re-
lieves us Of all mere partisan trammels
and afinities, but it commands us that, for
the time being, these shall be laid aside,
until the great purpose is accomplished Of
restoring our country to position in which
partisan contests may be INDUCED without
involving our nationality; and party vic
tories be won without their possible re-
suits giving encouragement to rebels in
arms against the supremacy Of the Consti-
tuition and laws of the land. In that
spirit | accept the late declaration Of our
common constituency, and humbly thank
them that, in this par rticular, they have
made my path easy and straight before
me.


While this national obligation is laid
upon us, it does not relieve US from the
further duty of guarding the local inter
ests, and promoting the prosperity Of our
own State. This duty, to a large extent,
devolves upon the legislative body. I
fully share in the confidence of the people
who have called you from your respective
avocations in life, and committed to you,
for the time being, the honor, the credit
and the prosperity Of the State. In all
that 1 can, and properly may do, it will
give me great pleasure to cooperate with
you in the accomplishment Of this great
purpose.


The annual message Of my worthy pre-
decessor, with the accompanying docu-
ments, present you, in a concise and intel
Hgible manner, the condition Of our State
affairs. His recommendations are worthy
of, and will undoubtedly receive, your
careful consideration. HIS arduOus labors
have contributed, in no small degree, to
the gratifying results presented to you;
and it is a pleasing reflection that the peO.
pie Of the State will be able to follow him
into present retirement from executive
duties, with the grateful plaudit of "wel
done, good and faithful servant" It will
be an abiding pleasure to me, if at the
end IF my own brief service, l shall be
able to attain alike his usefulness and his re.
ward.


1t is not less gratifying than honorable
t. the State that we have been able 20 pass
through the third year of an expensive
and sanguinary war, ID the full perform
ance of all our duties 10 the National
/ Government, without impairing. in any
manner, the prosperity Of the Site, ol
expressing our people by burtheRsOme o.
/ excessive taxation.


The financial condition of the State i:
highly satlsfact try. The agricultural, in
| dusfrjal and commercial interests of the
State we're never more prosperous, The
Stare hus been protected, with single cX.
ceptiOn, from invasion; and the dcsolating
ravages If war hayenot spread themselve,
within our limits. At the same time the
great instiru ions of education and benev.
olence, which constitute a material element
of our pride aud strength, have not beer
encroached upon or impaired. Our school,
and cOllCges-uUr seminaries of learning
our arts and sciences-our noble insti
tutions for the relief and instruction o.
the stricken portion of our People-our
public works-all these have been foster
ell, encouraged, and protected, as thougI
war had not existed IN the land. Whil,
we have abundant cause in this, not alone
for self graduation, but Of deyout thank