The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 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 CO.. 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 a time honored custom which
the Presidential office. Called to the duties
of this great trust, l proceed in COM
pliance 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. I shall not under
take to lay down irrevocable principles or
measures of admins istration, 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 I
| should fully make known my sentiments in
regard to several of the important questions
which then appeared to demand the con-
| sideration OF the country. Following the
example, and in part adopting the Ian.
guage 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 can didly weigh and under
| nd not hoy al
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 and laws, on the Chief Executive of
the Nation.
The permanent pacifcaton 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 calanitous effects of the tremendous
revolution which has passed over the South
ern States still remain. The Unreasonable
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 State S
are still impoverished, and the inestimable
blessing of wise, honest, and peaceful self
governments 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 a 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 local government, which recog
nizes and maintains inviolate the rights oil
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
& government which egards the interests o.
both races carefully and equally. 1t mus
be 8 gcvernn ent which submits Loyalty AM
heartily to the Constitution and laws-th.
laws of the States thems
and obeying faithfully the whole Constitu
ton as it is. Resting upon this sure ant
, substaE tial foundation, the suretstructur'
of benefcent local governments can be bull
, up, and not otherwise.
In furtherance of sucn obedience to tn
letter and the spirit of the Constitution, an,
} in half of all that its attainment implies
: all so called party interests, lose their ap
parent imp portance, and party lines may vel
be permitted to fall into insigniicance. TIL
= question we have to consider for the imme
diate welfare of those States of the Uniol
is the question of government or no govern
; r9ent, of social order, and all the peaceful
industries and the happiness that belongs t.
, it, or return to barbarism. It is question
in which every citizen of the nation is deepl
interested, and with respect to which W
, ought not to be in partisan sense eithe
a Republicans or Democrats, but fellow cit
zens and fellow men, to whom the interest
: of the common country and common human
v ity are dear.
Y The sweeping revolution of the entir
= labor system of large portion of our couI
try, and the advance of four millions G
people from a 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
q race, by their former masters and by th
general government-.-the author of the a,
q Of emancipation. That it was wise, ju.
l. and providential act, fraught with good fo
I all concerned, is now generally concede
:, throughout the country. That q moral oil
legation rests upon the National Cover
|, ment to employ its constitutional powe
10 and influence to establish the rights
- the people it has emancipated, and
q protect them in the enjoyment of theF
S. rights when they are infringed or assaile'
:, is also generally admitted. The evils whic
IL atfict the Southern States can only be +
rs moved or remeded by the united and ha
IA monious efforts of both races, actuaied
motives of mutual sympathy and regar
le And, while in duty bound and fully dete
S, mined to protect the rights of all by ever
Is constitutional means at the disposal of N
administration, l am sincerely anxious
u use every legitimate influence in favor
+ honest and efficient local government, as tt
IN true resource of those States for the prom
, tion of the contentment and prosperity
is their citizens. In the effort shall make
as accomplish this purpose ask the cordial c
,o operation of all who cherish an interest
3 the welfare of the country, trusting that par
le ties and prejudice of race will be freely su
ic rendered in behalf of the great purpose to
Il accomplished in the important work of IL
III restoration of the South.
1t is not the political situation alone thi
merits attention. The material develo
C. ment of that section of the country h
w been arrested by the social and polite
." | rovnlntion ih rouuh uhir oh ~ hos nas1ed ar