Year: 1878

I'D ~ -
Holiday and In doing 80 said:


In obedience 10 the Constitution and laws
I now vacate the chief executive office OF
the Government; and 4 surrender its pow
ers, its duties, aud its responsibilities to
my honored successor. II .S.ss 3! rs I.


Largely in his custody for the future is
the name OF Virginia, now spotless, unsul-
lied, and pure. In common with every pa
triotic citizen, I cordially share the wish
and the hope, that with honor to himself,
and with advantage to the character OF the
Commonwealth at home and abroad, he
may fulfil the high trust which a generous
people commit to bis charge. @ss


Fellow.citizens, / have the honor to in
,troduce to you the Governor OF Virginia.
[Cheers.1 IN ;l:l


Colonel Holiday then delivered his inau-
gural. He had it In print, and referred to
its pages occasionally to refresh his nlem-
ory.


The inaugural Address.


Colonel Holiday said !: s,'


Office ever brings responsibility. Whilst
the honor is fully felt, the sense OF duty
done gives far more pleasure than the praise
Of men.


This is true in every walk, however hum
BILE. But when that duty is mingled with
the memories and hopes OF State in which
we were born, by which we have been nur-
tured, and in whose destiny so many inter-
ests are wrapped, the honor makes us feel
more keenly the weight OF duty.


II Virginia was about to enter upon her
course with no history, the light shed from
the experience OF other States would alone
be our guide. The difficulties in such a
case would be very great. and like those
which beset the path Of the fathers OF the
republic. But ours are none the less, be-
cause they moulded diverse materials into
form, and gave us history now the admira-
ton Of the world. Rather the greater, be-
cause, amid many troubles, it falls to our
lot to save and hand down institutions
the work Of their genius and labor.


These institutions have had many and
sore trials. They have so far triumphed;
indeed have, with each coming generation,
fastened more firmly the love Of the people,
and made their sufferings as well as their
successes, their defeats as well rs their vic
tories, inure to their fame. The history
which the founders Of the State began has
been carried on by their descendants, whose
workmanship in many ways will bear COM
parison with the finished forms Of those
master-builders.


know that success is not written upon
all their efforts. But success Is not needed
to make an effort great. Often defeat sig
nalizes more than achievement and ele-
Yates the defeated by the very conscious
ness OF heroic endeavor. Truth and earn
estness have more to do with greatness
than success or victory. Victory may spring
from chance or overwhelming odds, but
earnestness and truth make that character
out of which great deeds perennially grow.
This is


THE CROWN OF yIRGINIA's GREATNESS.
Her people were in earnest when they
pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their
sacred honor, hundred years ago; they
were in earnest when they redeemed that
pledge by eight years OF war; they were in
earnest when they favored the adoption Of
On instrument by which they agreed to
cast their lot with the sister States In
the formation OF the Union; they
were in earnest when for generations
they gave of their jewels to adorn the
councils OF the republic, and OF their
territory>to enlarge its domain they were
in earnest when no sacrifice was too great,
save honor, to uphold the Union that their
genius and self-deYotiop had so aided in
framing; they were none the less in earnest
when in their heart they believed that honor
was OF more worth than the Unioff, and en-
tered upon q long and bloody war to vim
dicate that opinion. In oil they battled for
the truth. And when prejudice and poo
sion have passed away history will find as
much to admire in their last overwhelming
defeat rs in the victories which had hitherto
crowned their career.


Nor did they forget these virtues in the
trying times that followed the defeat.
hoI {orr ~, npI
one third wrested from them; the rest had
everything else, their liberties had been
blighted and their own government we'll
nigh wiped out. On the field Of surrender
they had given up their claim, and nothing
happened during the dark time OF recon-
struction which even hinted at breach OF
their parole. They gained name by their
heroic efforts in arms to sever themselves
from the Union; they have gained far
greater by the quiet endurance with which
they bore the means chosen for its restora-
ton. In both they were earnest and true.
For more than ten years this


STRUGGLE OF RECONSTRUCTION


was carried on, forming the basis OF national
parties, and piercing with bitterness through
the politics Of every State. 1t ought to be
Will lOS luuG NC Guy LILLE oil llC ID ut Idol
ended, and once more every State is repre-.
sented, and has an equal voice in the coun-
ellis OF the republic. Virginia is heard
there now through har able representatives,
and if she is true to her lineage will soon
in the olden time.


In the breaking up of the present par
ties and the formation of new, great dan.
gers threaten. Parties based upon or
springIng out Of the structure OF our Gov
ernment we ever must and ought to have.
They keep the Government to its moorings,
and prevent its drifting to extremes. Blu:
parties founded on classes is the beginning
OF the end OF any republic. Its very def.
milton is equality OF political right and the
mutual care of every class. Under the agis
OF the government they work together for
the advancement Of the individual and the
common veal; but when any one party
reaches for and gets hold Of the govern.
ment to promote, through its agency, its
own interest, the republic has already end
ed, and anarchy or despotism is at hand.


When men talk Of founding parties on
the tariff, internal Improvement, a broad or
narrow construction of the Constitution,
and the like, no danger need be feared.
Rather good; for the Watchfulness of each
will insure the moderation OF the other.
But when they talk of organizing factions
made up of rich and poor, educated and
ignorant, labor and capital, nothing but
trouble is to be looked for and feared. I'm
der our free institutions the rich Of to-day
is the poor Of tomorrow, and the reverse.
The ignorant is walking with upright front
every day into higher and broader light ;
the laborer, with his hand OF toll, ana BY
honest industry, is massing wealth that is
making him the capitalist and the dispenser
OF grateful charities. .s..I&