Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-06
EXTRA SESSION OF TIE SENATE.

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ing of the procession and leaving the White
House, Pennsylvania avenue and other leading
streets were alive with citizens and visitors and
carriages and horses. Rarely has there teen u
larger attendance of visitors from aba DAD
AT eleven O'Clock the procession moved from
the White House in the following order:
Chief marshal, Gen. William ID. Whipple, and
aids to the chief marshal
First Division-Cspt Ramsey's light battery,
four guns and four cassons, and twelve companies
OF artillery, acting as infantry, under Gen. w. III.
French.
Second Dv!sion-United States marine corps,
eight companies, under Col Haywood
Third Dyision-Col. Robert |. Fleming, COM
manding, and aids; Washington Light Infantry
corps and State Fencible, and Wcccaroe Legion
OF Philadelphia; Washington Light Guards,
W ashington Artillery and first battalion District
Militia (coloIed), three companies, and the Column
bus Cadets of Ohio.
Following these came the late president, the
president and vice president elect, commissioners
OF the district and other distinguished persons.
"A citizens mounted guard, organized as an es-
cort to the president elect followed.
The fourth division consisted of various civic
orr an cations.
The procession reached the capitol little be-
fore twelve.
President Hayes proceeded to the presidents
room, accompanied by Senators Morrill, and Nc
Donald.
Vice President Wheeler was conducted TO the
vice presidents room, and then to the senate
chamber, which was crowded with an illustrious
audience. where the oath Of office was administer
ed to him by President Ferry
AZ twelve o'clock Vice President Wheeler call
ed the new senate to order, in extra session, and
caused ex-President Grant and President Haye.
to be notified that the senate were ready to
ceiye them; and these personages then appeared.
The assemblage then proceeded to the central
protlco of the capitol, where the presidents took
seats at the front of the platform, the chief justice
of the supreme court on their right, and the ser
gent-at-arms of the senate on their left. The
committee Of arrangements occup led position in
the rear of the president and late president Next
in the rear of these the ex-president and ex-vice
presidents and associate justices of the supreme
court occupied seats the left, and the vice pres
ldent, secretary and members of the senate those
on the right. The diplomatic corps occupied seats
next in the rear of the supreme court, heads of
departments, governors and ex-governors of states
eXmembers of the senate, ex members and mem
beers elect OF the house of representatives in the
rear OF the members of the senate. An immense
aud fence was gathered in the open space.
Chief Justice Waite then administered the oath
to President Hayes, after which he read his in
augural address which was frequently applauded.
President Hayes in his inaugural address said
Fellow Citizens We have assembled to re-
peat the public ceremonial begun by Washington,
observed by all my predecessors, and now time
honorcd custom, which marks the commenc ment
of new term of the presidential office. Called
to the duties of this great trust, proceed in COM
pliance with usage to announce some of the lead
ing principles on the subjects that have chiefly
engaged the public attention, by which it is my
desire TO be guided in the discharge of these du-
ties.
| shall not undertake to lay down irrevocable
principles or measures of administration, but
rather to speak OF the motives which should ami
mate us, aud to suggest certain important ends
10 be attained in accordance with our institutions,
and essential to the welfare Of our country.
At the outset of the discussion which preceded
the recent presidential election, it seemed to me
fitting that should fully make known my scnti-
ments in regard to several Of the important ques-
tons which then appeared TO demand the consid-
Grafton ofthe country.
q GLOWING the eminent example, and in part
adopting the language of one Of my predecessors
wish now when every motive for misrepresenta-
ton has passed away, to repeat what was said
before the election, trusting that my countrymen
will candidy weigh and understand it, and that
they will feel assured that the sentme hts declare
in accepting the nomination for the Presidency
will be the standard of my conduct in the path
before me, charged now am, with the grave
an difficult task of carrying them out in the
practical administration Of the government far
as they depend under the constitution and law on
the chief executive Of the nation.
The permanent paciiicaton of the country up
On such principles and by such measures as will
secure the complete protection of all its citizens
in the free enjoyment of all their constitutional
rights, is now the subject in our public at
regard as of supreme importance. Many of the
calamitous effects of the tremendous revelation
which has passed over the Southern states, still
remain. The Unreasonable benefits which will
surely follow sooner or later its hearty and gen
erous acceptance, cannot be over-estmated.
The legitimate results of that revolution have
not yet been realized. Difficult and embarras sing
questions meet us at the threshold of this subject
The people of those states are still impoverished
and the inestmable blessings of wise, honest and
nos is nnt NIL
joyed.
Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to
the cause Of this condition Of things the fact is
clear that in the progress OF events the time has
come when such government is the imperative ne
cessity required by all the varied interests, public
and private, of those states. But it must not be
forgotten that only local government (which
recognizes and maintains the rights of all, is true
self-government.
With respect to the two distinct races whose
peculiar relations TO each other have brought up
on us the deplorable complications and perplex-
tiles which exist 10 those states. 1t must be
government which submits legally and heartily to
the constitution and the laws-lhe laws of the pa-
ton and the laws of the states, accepting and OBJ
serving faithfully the whole constitution. Rest
ing upon this sure and substantial foundation, the
supcrstructure OF beneficial local government can
be bu lit up and not otherwise.
In furtherance of such obedience to the letter
and he spirit of the constitution, and in behalf of
all that its attainment implies, all called party
interests lose their apparent Importance, and par
ty liues may all be permitted to fade into nsig-
nfcancc. The question we have to consider Tor
the immediate welfare of those states of the
Union is the question of government, order and
all the peaceful industries and the happiness that
belong to il, or return 10 bsrbafism.
1t is question in which every citizen Of the ma
ton is deeply interested, and with respect TO
which we ought not TO be in a partisan sense
either republicans democrats, but fellow citi-
zens and fellow to whom the interests of a
common country and common humanity are
dear.
The sweeping revolution Ct the entire labor
system of large portion of our country, and the
advance of four millions OF people from condi-
ton of seryitude to that Of citizenship upon an
equal foundation with their former masters, could
not occur without presenting problems of the
grayest moment to be dealt with by the emanci-
pated race, by their former masters, and by the
general government
That the act of emancipation was wise, just
and proyidental act frsught with good for all con-
cerned, is now generally conceded throughout the
country. That a moral obligation rests upon the
national government to apply its constitutional
power to influence and to establish the rights of
the people ii has cmancpated, and to protect the m
10 the enjoyment of those rights when they are u-
fringed or assailed, is also generally admitted.
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