Year: 1871

friends, met In the Governors


rooms at the Capitol where he took


the oath of Office before Chief JUS


tice Peyton. He is now Governor
of the State of Mississippi. 1t is


but natural that. the people should


feel more or less anxiety upon the
occurrence of such a change, and


especially after many of them have


been led to look with much unwar-


ranted distrust and jealousy upon


the motives and aims Of the new


Governor Owing to his Northern


birth and raising, and the fact that


he was not one of the Southern peo-
pie during the late unhappy strug-
| gle, leads many to believe that he
cannot sufficiently sympathize with


them and appreciate their wants
and necessities, to discharge the


duties of his Office with the truest
appreciation of the interests of
the people some may doubt his


capacity, and others again the hon
esty of his motives; and, in fact,


every variety of opinion, doubtless,


is entertained concerning the pro-


liabilities of his two years admins


tration. Now, we ask only this at


the hands of those who are in full


accord with his Inauguration: with


hold your judgment. until you have


seen his acts. Do not pass verdict


before you hare heard the testimony.


Governor Powers is a young man


of thirty-five years, and has been


but short time in public life, SO
that he is not expected to be
familiar with the tricks and ways of
experienced politicians, but he pos
sesses a superior and cultivated


mind, an unusual amount of sound


practical sense, strong unyielding
will, great honesty of purpose and


deep convictions of duty, especially


where principles of right or justice
are involved, and upon these quail
fications alone do we expect him to


rely in the performance of his Off


cial duties. His Judgment may,


and. doubtless will some


times err, but he will


never do wrong knowingly, however


much it might be of advantage to


him personally, or to his friends or


party. 1t is not of such stuff that


he is made. But Governor Powers


is by no means stranger to the


State, nor unfamiliar with her his


tory. Indeed, there are few men,


if any, within our borders that


know more of Mississippi since the


war than he does. He has been a
large planter in Noxubee county
ever since 1865, and intimately con-
nected with the work of reconstruc-
ton from its commencement down


to its close. For two years he Oc-
cupied the position of President of
the Senate with great credit to him
sell, and showed that he possessed
in large degree those qualities of
mind that are demanded in the
Executive of a great State. He
will be uncompromising and ener-
getic in the enforcement of the
laws, seek to make his administra-
ton as economical as the circum-
stances will admit, urge the reduc-
ton of taxes to the lowest amount
compatible with the necessities of
the Government, and in every res
pect labor solely and unselfshly for
the welfare of the whole people and
the best interests of the State.
Upon this every one may rely, for
we know the man, and are fully
convinced thatWe do not promise
too much for him. His party will
at all times find him true friend,
and can depend upon him for all
the legitimate influence Of his ad-
ministration, but he never will dis
honor the high Office he holds by
making it partisan in behalf of any
political interest. He will do what |
he conceives to be right and
nothing more. Such being the
character of the man and the al
most certa n results of his two years
administration, we can but con-1
gratrlate the people OF Mississippi
that Ridgley c. Powers is their