INAUGURAL ADDRESS
of
MICHAEL HAHN,
GOVERNOR
of the
STATE OF LOUISIANA
delivered at
NEW ORLEANS, MARCH 4, 1864.
Fellow-Citizens:
In diffident obedience to your sovereign behests, solemnly proclaimed through the ballot-box on the anniversary of the birth of the illustrious Washington, I appear before you as your freely elected Governor, doubtful of myself in all things save in devotion to my country, and sincere and heartfelt affection for all my fellow-citizens, irrespective of birth-place, creed, or political opinion. In the exercise of your dearest rights as American citizens, you have placed me in the exalted office of Governor of this noble State; and by your acts you have shown that although the people of a State may err, a State, as a member of the American Union, cannot die. Is there among us to day a man actuated by genuine American sentiments and true patriotism, who would even for an hour consent to have the Commonwealth consecrated to everlasting fame by the genius and valor of Andrew Jackson, abdicate her place in the national constellation? I hope not. I accept the great honor which has been conferred upon me at this important epoch in the history of our State, with a profound distrust of my own ability to adequately discharge its many accompanying duties and responsibilities; and if I do not wholly despond in anticipation, it is because of the cheering evidences everywhere present around me that a generous indulgence will be extended to my deficiencies, and that a cheerful alacrity will animate the people in sustaining me in all the efforts it will be my constant study to make in their behalf.
A resident of Louisiana from early boyhood, I have always felt proud of her history, and I have claimed the privilege on all occasions, public and private, in the Con-
