Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-03-09
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.


The President began his inaugural address
at l2.45P P. NJ
EeLioW- Citizens We have assembled to re-
peat the public ceremonial begun by Washing
ton, observed by all my predecessors, and now
time-honored custom which marks the COM
mencement Of a new term Of the presidential
office. Called to the duties Of this great trust
proceed, in compliance with usage, to an
nounce some of the leading principles, on the
subjects that now chiefly engage the public
attention, by which it is my desire 10 be gnid-
ed in the discharge of those duties. shall
not undertake TO lay down irrev ocably 2rinei-
Piles or measures of administration, but rather
to speak of the motives which should animate
us, and suggest certain important ends TO be
attained in accordance with our institutions
and essential TO the welfare of our country.
At the outset Of the discussion which pre-
ceded the recent presidential election it seemed
TO me fitting that | should fully make known
my sentiments in regard to several Of the i'm
portant questions which then appeared TO de-
mand the consideration Of the country. Fol-
lowing the example, and in part adopting the
language OF one of my predecessors, ! wish
now, when every motive for misrepresenta-
ton has passed away, Il. repeat what was said
before the election, trusting that my country
men will candidly weigh aud understand it,
and that they will feel assured that the senti-
ments declared in accepting the nomination
for the presidency will be the standard of my
conduct in the path before me. Charged, as
| now am, with the grave and difficult task of
carrying them out 10 practical ad ADMINISTRATION
of tie government so far as depends, under
the constitution and laws, upon the chief ex-
ecutive of the nation, the permanent pacifica-
ton OF the country upon such principles and
By such measures as will secure the complete
nrn nf al TO ri i'm 10 fran
ment of all their constitutional rights is now
the one subject 10 our public affairs which all
thoughtful and patriotic citizens regard as Of
supreme Importance.
Many Of the calamitous effects of the late
tremendous revolution which has passed over
the Southern States still remain. The immeas-
urable benefits which will surely follow sooner
or later the hearty and generous acceptance of
the legitimate results Of that revolution have
not yet been realized. Difficult and embarass-
ing questions meet US a: the threshold of this
subject.
The people of those States are still impover-
ished, and the inestimable blessing of wise,
honest and peaceful local self-government is
not fully enjoyed. Whatever difference of
opinion may exist as to the cause Of this con-
dition OF things, the fact is clear that, in the
progress Of events, the time has come when such
government is the imperative necessity requr-
ed by all the varied interests, public and pri-
vate, OF those States. But il must not be for
gotten that only a local government which
recognizes and maintains inviolate the rights
of all is a true self-government. With respect
TO the two distinct races whose peculiar rea.
tons to each other have brought upon US these
deplorable perplexities and complications
which exist in those States, il must be govern
ment which guards the interests Of both races
m pfnl lv a md / n1tru ha
ment which submits Loyalty and heartily to
the constitution ami laws, the laws OF the ma
ton and laws OF the States themselves, accept
ing and obeying faithfully the whole constiiu-
ton as it is. Resting upon this sure and sub
stantal foundation, the superstructure of be-
nehcent local governments can be built up, and
not otherwise In furherance Of such obedi-
ence to the spirit and letter of the constitution
and in behalf Of all that its attainment implies
all so-caed party interests lose their apparent
Importance, and party lines may well be per-
mitted to tade into insignifcance. The ques-
ton we have 10 consider for the immediate well
fare Of those States of the Union is the ques-
ton OF government or no government, of social
order and all the peaceful industries and the
happiness that belongs 10 it,, or n return 10
barbarisn. 1t is a question in which every
citizen OF the nation ia deeplr interested, and
with respect to which we ought not to be, in a
partizan sense, either republicans or democrats
but fellow-ctizens and fellow-men, to whom
the interests OF Il common country and a COM
mon humanity are dear. The sweeping revo-
luton of the entire labor system of large part
Of our country, and the advance of four mill
ions of people from condition of servitude to
that OF citizenship, upon an equal footing with
their former masters, could not occur without
presenting problems of the gravest moment to
ha cal will ht. fi.a ta1
their former masters, and by the general
government the author Of the act OF emancipa-
ton.
That it was wise just and providential ACT,
fraught with good far all concerned, is now
generally conceded throughout the country
That moral obligation rests upon the national
government to employ its constitutional power
and influence to establish rights of the people
it has emaucipated, and to protect them in the
enjoyment of those rights when they are in
fringed or assaulted, is also generally admitted
The evils which aillct the Southern States
can only be removed or remeded by the united
and harmonious effort of both races actuated
by motives of mutual sympathy and regard !;
and, while in duty bound and fully deter
mined to protect the rights Of .all by every con-
sututional means at the disposal of my ad-
ministration, | an sincerely anxious TO use
every legitimate means in favor of honest and
efficient local self-government as the true re-
source of those States for tho promotion Of
the contentment and prosperity of their cli-
zens. In the effort shall make to accomplish
tLis purpose ask the cordial cooperation Of
all who cherish an interest in the welfare of
the country, trusting that party ties and pref
udice of race will he freely surrendered in be-
half OF the great purpose to be accomplished
In the important work Of restoring the South
M iPaI eli oil fhat
its attention. The material development OF
that section Of the country has been arrested
by the social and political revolution through
which il has passed, and now needs and de-
serves the considerable care of the national gov
eminent within the just limits prescribed by
the constitution and wise public economy
But at the basis Of all prosperity for that as
well as for every other other part of the coun-
try lies tho improvement of the Intellectual
and moral condition OF the people. Universal
suffrage should rest upon universal educa-
ton. To this end liberal and permanent rro-
vision should be made for the support Of free
schools by the State governments, and If need
be, supplemented by legitimate aid from ma
tonnl authority. Let me assure my country
men of the Southern States that it is my earn
est desire TO promote and regard their truesi
interests, the interest of the white and colored
people both and equally, and to put forth my
best efforts in behalf of civil policy which
will forever wipe out in our political affairs
the color line, and distinction between North
and South to the end that we may have not
merely united North or united South, but a
united country.
] ask the attention of the public to the
paramount necessity Of reform in our civil
service, reform not merely as 20 certain
abuses and practices of so-called official pa
tronage, which have come to have the sane
ton Of usage in the several departments OF
our government, but change ia the system
OF appointment itself, reform that shall be