The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-03-11
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
President GarAelds First 0mcial utter
ance.
TELLow.Crr1zRKs: We stand to-day upon
IN eminence which overlooks hundred years
Of natiOnaL Me-a century crowded With
perils, but crowned with the triumph Of Hb-
orty and love. Before continuing the onward
march. let rs pause on this height for mo-
ment TO strengthen our ialth ana renew our
our people have travelled.
It Is now three days more than hundred
years since the adoption OF the hrse written
Constitution of the United states-the Arti-
cles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.
The new Republic was then beset with danger
ON every hand. It had not conquered place
in the family OF nations. The decisive battle
NAL anniversary will soon be gratefully ce!e-
brated at Yorktown. had not yet been fought.
The colonies were struggling not only against
settled opinions Of mankind, for the world did
not believe that the supreme authority OF tho
Government could be Safely entrusted to the
guardianship Of the people themselves. We
gent courage, and common sense with which
our fathers made the great experiment. OF
self government. When they found, after q
was too weak to meet the necessities Of q
glorious and expanding republic, they Doldly
set it aside and In its stead re-estabished the
National Union, founded directly upon the
will of the people, endowed with future pow
ers of self representation and with ample au-
thOrity for the accomplishment OF its great
objects. Under this Constitution, the bound
aries OF freedom were enlarged, the founda-
tions of order and peace have been strength
ened, and the growth in all the better eie-
ments of national life has indicated the wis
dom of the founders and given new hope to
our people long ago made themselves safe
against danger from without, and secured Tor
their mariners and flag equality OF rights
on all tho seas. Under this Constitution
ed to the Union, with Constitutions and
laws framed and enforced by their own citi.
zens to secure manifold blessings OF local ana
self government. The jurisdiction OF this
Constitution now covers an area nifty times
greater than, that of the original thirteen
States, and the population Is twenty times
greater than that of $780, The trial OF the
Constitution came at last under the tremen-
dous pressure of civil war. We ourselves are
witnesses that the Union emerged from the
blood and fire of that conflict purified ana
made stronger for all beneticent purposes OF
good government, and now, at the close OF
this first century of growth, with the inspira-
tons OF its history in their hearts, our people
have lately reviewed the condition of the Ma
ton, passed Judgment upon tine acts and
opinions OF political parties, and have regis
tered their will concerning the future admin.
istration of the Government. To interpret
and to execute that will in accordance with
the Constitution is the paramount duty OF
the Executive. .. -
Even from this brief re lew it is manifest
that the Nation is resOlurely facing to the
front with the resolution to employ Its best
enerRies in developing the great possibilities
of the future, sacredly reServing whatever has
been gained to Liberty and Government dur
ing the century. Our people are determined
to leave behind them all these bitter contro'
ina nrvpfnO thinOS W
settled, the further discussion OF
which can only stir up strife and delay the
onward march. The supremacy OF the Nation
Of debate. That DISCUSSION which for, half a
century threatened the existence of the Union
was closed at last in the high court OF war by
a decree, from which there is no appeal, that
the Constitution and laws made in pursuance
thereof shall continue to be the supreme law
of the land, binding alike on the states and on
the people. This decree does not disturb the
autonomy ofth States, nor interfere with any
Of their necessary rules of local Self-gOvefn-
ment; but it does dx and establish the perma-
nent supremacy of the Union. The will of the
Nation, speaking with the voice OF battle
fulfilled the great promise of l77s by proclaim
habitants thereof
The elevation OF the negro race from slavery
portant political change we have known since
the adoption Of the Constitution of 1176. No
thoughtful man can fail to appreciate its
bencficent results upon our peopie 1t has
freed us from the perpetual danger of war
and dissolution. 1t has added immensely to
the moral and industrial forces of our people.
It has liberated the master as well as the
slaye from the relations ,so which c, wro1ged and
their own guardianship the manhood of
more than five millions of people, and
has opened to each one OF them
. career of freedom and usefulness.
It has given new inspiration tOsthe power of
self help in both races by making labor more
honorable to one and more necessary to the
other. The influence OF this force will grow
greater and bear richer fruit with the coming
years. No doubt the great change has caused
4 serious disturbance to our Southern
This is to be deplored, though it
change should remember that in our institu-
ions there was no middle ground for the ne
sro race between slavery and equal citizen
ship. There can be no permanent disfran-
,hised peasantry in tho United States. Free
dom can never yield it's fullness of blessings
rs long as the law or its administration places
the smallest obstacle in the pathway of any
virtuous citizenship. The emancipated race
devotion to the Union, with a
patience and gentleness not born of fear.
They have followed the light as God gave
hem to see the light" They are rapidly lay
ny the material foundation of self.support
the circle of intelligence. and begin
ming to enjoy the blessings that gather around
me homes OF the INDUSTRIOUS poor. Iney de-
serve the generous encouragement of all good
men. So far as my authority can lawfully ex-
END they shall enjoy the full and equal pro- 1
ection of the Constitution and laws.
The free enjoyment of equal suffrage is still
n question. and a frank statement of the
ssue may aid its solution. 1t is alleged that
n many communities the negro citizens are
denied the freedom of the ballot.
IN so far as the truth of this allegation is adj
nitted, it is answered that in many places
,onest local government is impossible if the
mass of uneducated negroes are allowed to
7Ote. These are grave allegations. So far as
The latter is true It is no pallatiOn that can be
offered for opposing the freedom ofthe ballot.
Bad local government is certainly great evil
which ought to be prevented, but to violate
he freedom and samctity of suffrage is more
han an evil. 1t is a crime which if persisted
n will destroy the Government itself, and
suicide Is not a remedy. If in other lands it
De high treason to compass the death of the
ding, it should be counted no less crime here
o strangle our sovereign power and stifie its
,oice. 1t has been said that unsettled ques-