The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-03-08
THE INAUGURAL PROCEEDINGS.
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT HAYES.

streets gave to the city lively appear
ance, and, Notwithstanding the lowering
clouds, an air of cheerfulness prevailed.
At 1890 the procession began to move
from the White House down Pennsylva-
mia avenue, which was gaily decorated,
in the following order:
Chief Marshal, Brevet Major General
William D. Whipple, United States
Army. Aids to Chief Marshal.
First Division-Capt. Ramsey's Light
Battery four guns and four caissons. and
twelve companies of artillery, acting as
infantry, all under command of brevet
Major General W. H. French.
Second Division-United States Ma
rine Corps of eight companies, under
command of Lieutenant Colonel Hay
wood.
Third Division-Colonel Robert J.
Fleming, commanding, and aids, Wash
ington Light Infantry.
Corps State Fencibles and Wecacoe
Light Infantry, of Philadelphia.
Washington Light Guard.
Washington Artillery.
First Battalion District Militia (col-
ored.)
Three companies Columbus (O.) Ca
diets.
Following these came the President
and Vice President elect.
Commissioners of the District and
other distinguished persons.
Citizens Mounted Guard as an escort
to the President elect.
The Fourth Division consisted of vari-
GUS civic organizations.
On arriving at the Capitol President
Hayes delivered the following inaugural
address:
FELLOW CITIZENS: We have assembled
to repeat the public ceremonial begun by
Washington, observed by all my predeces.
sors, and now time honored custom which
marks the commencement of a new term of
the Presidential office. Called to the duties
of this great trust, l proceed in COM
plianee with usages to announce some OF the
leading principles on the subjects that now
chiefly engage the public attention, by
which it is my desire to be guided in the
discharge of these duties. / shall not under
take to lay down irrevocable principles or
measures of administration, but rather to
speak of the motives which should animate
us, and to suggest certain important ends to
be attained in accordance with our institu.
tions and essential to the welfare of our
country. AT the outset of the discussions
which preceded the recent Presidential
election it seemed to me fitting that
should fully make known my sentiments in
regard 10 several of the important questions
which then appeared to demand the con-
sideration of the country. Following the
example, and in part adopting the lam
guage of one of my predecessors, wish
xrbon panfiua for mis- 10
ton has passed away, to repeat what was
said before the election, trusting that my
countrymen will candidly weigh and under
stand it, and that they will feel assured that
the sentiments declared IN accepting the
nomination for the Presidency will be the
standard of my conduct in the path before
me, charged as now ana with the grave and
difficult task of carrying them out in the
practical administration of the govern
ment so far as depends, under the Consti-
tuition aud laws, on the Chief Executive of
the Nation.
The permanent paci6cation of the country
upon 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 one subject
which all thoughtful and patriotic citizens
regard as OF supreme Importance. Many of
the calamitous effects of the tremendous
revolution which has passed over the South
ern States still remain. The immeasurable
benefits which will surely follow sooner or
later the hearty and generous acceptance of
the legitimate result of that revolution have
not yet been realized. Difficult and embar.
RAISING questions meet us at the threshold
of this subject. The people of these States
are still impoverished, and the inestimable
| blessing of wise, honest, and peaceful self.
government is not fully enjoyed. Whatever
differences 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 an imperative necessity, required by
all the varied interests, public or private,
of these States. But it must not be forgotten
that only a local government, which recog.
niZes and maintains inviolate the rights OF
all, is true self-government, with respect
to the distinct races, whose peculiar rela.
tions to each other having brought upon us
the deplorable complications and perplex.
itles which exist in these States. Itmust be
a government which regards the interests Of
both races carefully and equally. 1t mus
be governu ent which submits Loyalty and
heartily to the Constitution and laws-the
| laws of the States thems mselves-acceptin
and obeying faithfully the whole Constitu
ton as it is. Resting upon this sure ant
substantial foundation, the sureIstructurt
of benefcent local governments caa be bull
up, and not otherwise.
In furtherance of sucn obedience to tn,
letter and the spirit of the Constitution, ant
in behalf of all that its attainment implies
all so called party interests, lose their ap
parent importance, and party lines may wei
be permitted to fall into insignifcance. Th
question we have to consider for the imme
diate welfare of those States of the Uniol
is the question of government or no govern
ment, of social order, and all the peaceful
industries and the happiness that belongs t.
it, or return to barbarism. 1t is a question
in which every citizen of the nation is deepl
interested, and with respect to which W
ought not to be in a partisan sense, eithe
Republicans or Democrats, but fellow cit
Zens and fellow men, to whom the interest
of the common country and common human
ity are dear.
The sweeping revolution of the entir
labor system of large portion of our cour
try, and the advance of four millions o
people from condition of servitude t
that of citizenship upon an equal footin
with their former masters, could not ocou
without presenting problem of the graves
moment to be dealt with by the emancipate
race, by their former masters and by tn
general g0Vernment--the autnOr Oh tne &C
Of emancipation. That it was wise, jus
and providential act, fraught with good fo
all concerned, is now generally concede
throughout the country. That moral oil
legation rests upon the National Govern
: ment to employ its constitutional powe
, and influence to establish the rights G
the people it has emancipated, and
protect them in the enjoyment of thes
rights when they are infringed or assailet
/ is also generally admitted. The evils whic
= affiict the Southern States can only be r.
moved or remedied by the united and ha
monious efforts uf both races, actuated b
3 motives of mutual sympathy and regart
And, while in duty bound and fully dete
mined to protect the rights of all by ever
5 constitutional means at the disposal of m
: administration, l am sincerely anxious
use every legitimate influence in favor
honest and efficient local government, as Il
d true resource of those States for the prom
8 ton of the cOntentment and prosperity
@ their citizens. In the effort / shall make
. accomplish this purpose ask the cordial C
g operation of all who cherish an interest
e the welfare of the country, trusting that par
y ties and prejudice of race will be freely su
Z renderedin behalf of the great purpose to |
d accomplished in the important work of tt
restoration of the South.
1t is not the political situation alone thu
merits attention. The material develo
| 4I,N @An h