The Portland daily press., 1881-09-23
PRESIDENT Arthur.
Formally Inaugurated Yesterday-His
inaugural Address.

WAsHrEaros. Sept, 22:-President Arthur
took the oath of office in the marble room at
the capitol shis morning in the presence of the
Cabinet, Justices OF the Supreme Court and q
few Senators and Members OF the House OF
Representatives, all who could be notified this
morning in Tins to be present. Also Gems.
Sherman and Grant, Rear Admiral Nichols,
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, General Beal and
few Others. Forty people in all we're present
ct the time the oath was administered.
This step was taken after conference had
been held about an hour since between the
President, Secretary Blaine and the Attorney
General
Very few people knew that the oath was to
be administered until the ceremony was over.
The President and members of the Cabinet
had assembled in the marble room before IL
o'clock A few minutes before IL Chief JUS
tice Waite in his full robes of office, accom-
panied by the Associate Justices, proceeded
from the Supreme Court room into the marble
room. The doors were Immediately closed,
and without any formality President Arthur
arose, and standing upon one side of the CEN
tire table with Chief Justice Waite on the
other, took the oath of Office. The Presidents
manner was calm and composed, and his re-
spone, $50 help me, God" was IN firm tones
and without tremor
THE ADDRESS.
The President then read the following ad-
dress from manuscript:
For the fourth time in the history OF the re-
public its chief magistrate has been removed by
death. All hearts are filled with grief and
horror at the hideous crime which has dark
dered President, his protracted sufferings, his
unyielding fortitude, the example and
achievements of his life and the pathos of his
death will forever illumine the pages of our
history. For the fourth time the officer
elected by the people and ordained BY the con-
20
assume the executive chair The wisdom or
our fathers foreseeing even the most dire pos
sibilities made sure that the government
shoud never be imperilled because OF the un-
certainty of human life. Men may die but
the fabrics of our free institutions remain un-
shaken. No higher or more assuring proof
could exist of the strength and permanence OF
popular government than the fact that though
the chosen of the people be struck down his
constitutional successor is peacefully installed
without shock or strain except the sofroW
which mourns the bereavement. All the no.
BILE aspirations of my lamented predecessor
which found expression in his life, the meas
ures devised and suggested during his brief
administration to correct abuses and enforce
economy, to advance prosperity ana promote
the general welfare, to ensure domestic secur-
ity and maintain friendly and honorable rela-
tions with the nations of the earth will be gar
nered in the hearts of the people and 1t will be
my earnest endeavor to profit and to see that
the nation shall profit by his example and ex-
perience. Prosperity blesses our country.
Our fiscal policy Is fixed by law, is we'll
grounded and generally approved. No threat
ening issue mars our foreign intercourse and
the wisdom, integrity and thrift OF our people
may be trusted to continues undisturbed the
present assured career of peace, tranquility
and welfare. The gloom and anxiety which
have enshrouded the country must make re-
pose especially welcome now. No demand Tor
speedy legislation has been heard. No .ade-
quate occasion is apparent for an unusual ses-
sion of Congress. The constitution defines thu
functions and powers Of the execu-
tive as clearly as those of either of the other
two departments of the government and he
must answer for the just exercise of the dis
cretion it permits and the performance OF the
duties 1t imposes. Summoned to these high
duties and responsibilities, and profoundly
conscious OF their magnitude and gravity, /
assume the trust imposed by the constitution,
relying for aid on divine guidance and the vir-
tue, patriotism and intelligence of the Ameri-
can people.
After the reading of this address by the
President, Secretary Blaine stepped forward
and grasped the Presidents hand, and after
him other members of the Cabinet and others
present shook hands with the President Ex-
President Hayes arrived at the capitol soon af-
ter the ceremony Of taking the oath was con-
cluded and in company with Gen. Grant
shortly afterwards left the capitol.