The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-03-10


sion was formed to proceed to the platform on
the east front Of the Capitol, where the cere-
monies of the Inauguration of President Gar
field were to take place. President Hayes and
Gen. Garfield led the procession, and the other
official bodies followed in order the members
of the House of Representatives last, these fol-
lowed by the distinguished guests who had
been admitted to the floor of the Chamber, with
many ladies who came from the galleries.
The scene at the east front was imposing
President Hayes, escorting General Garfield,
stood in full view Of the vast concourse and
the cheering was prolonged and enthusiastic.
The venerable mother of the President-elect
was assisted by Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. General
Garfield to seat directly in the rear of her
son. The central platform for the Presidents
party contained, besides these, the young
daughter of the President, Speaker Randall,
and Senators Pendlcton Dayard, and Thurman.
In front of the grand stand and little to the
right high staging had been erected for
photographers apparatus, and many instan-
taneous views were taken of those upon the
stand.
No moro touching scene was ever place be-
fore great audience of people than that pre-
sented about the President. Every eye seemed
fixed upon his venerable mother and her
presence there, and the thought of what this
scene involved for he seemed to press upon all
hearts as one of the most touching speotacles
that had ever been exhibited to an American
audience. About them were all the dignitaries
of the government, and a full representation of
foreign nation, of Congress, and Of the press
of tine country.
Hc was received with immense applause when
he arose to
DELIVER HIS INAUGURAL,
and his voice reached large company of those
before him, while all upon the stand distinctly
ton paid to all bis utterances by all classes
upon the stand, and many portions were ap-
plauded by those in the crowd who heard his
address.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FELIow-orT1zENs-We stand to-day upon an
enninence which overlooks q hundred years Of
national life. q century crowded with perils,
but crowned with triumphs of liberty and love.
Before continuing the onward march let us
pause on this height for a moment to strength
en- our faith and renew our hope by glance
at the pathway along which our people have
Travelled.
1t is now three days more than hundred
years since the adoption of the first written Con-
stitution of the United States, the articles Of
confederation and perpetual union. The new
Republic was then beset with danger on every
hand. 1t had not conquered place in the
family of Nations. The decisive battle of the
versary will soon be gratefully celebrated at
Yorktown, had not yet been fought.
The colonists were struggling not only
against the armies of Great Britain, but against
the settled opinions Of mankind, for tho world
did not believe that the supreme authority of
government could be safely intrlsted to the
guardianship of the people themselves. We
can not over-estinate the fervent love OF the
intelligent courage having the common sense
which our fathers made the great experiment
of self-government,
When they found, after short time, that
the Confederacy of States was too weak to meet
the necessities of glorious and expanding Re-
public, they boldly set it aside, and in its stead
established a National Union, founded directly
upon the will of the people, endowed with fu-
ture powers of self-preseryation and with ample
authority for the accomplishment of its great
objects.
Under this Constitution the boundaries of
freedom are enlarged, the foundations or order
and peace have been strengthened, and the
growth in all the better clements of national
fife has vindicated the wisdom of the founders
and given new hope to their descendants.
Under the Constitution our people long ago
made themselves safe against danger from
without and secured for their mariners and flag,
equality of rights on all the seas. Under this
Constitution twenty-five stars have been added
to the Union with constitutions and laws
framed and inforced by their own citizens to
secure the manifold blessings of local and self
government. ~
The jurisdiction of the Constitution nov
covers an area fifty times greater than that Of
the original thirteen States, and q population
twenty times greater than that of 1850. The
trial of the Constitution came at last under the
tremendous pressure Of civil war.
We ourselves are witnesses that the Unior
emerged from the blood and fire OF that con-
hict, purified and made stronger for all tn,
benefcent purposes of good Government, ant
now at the close of this, the first century o.
| growth, with the inspirations of its history il
their hearts, our people have lately revlewet
the condition of the nation, passed judgmen
| upon the conduct and opinions of the poiitica
| parties, and have registered their will concern
| ing the future administration Of the Govern
| ment. To interpret and to execute that vii
| in accordance with the Constitution is tn
paramount duty of the Executive. Even from
this brief review it is manifest that the Natiol
is resolutely facing to the front, resolution t.
employ its best energies in developing tn
| great possibilities of the future, sacredly pre-
serving whatever has been gained to hbert
| and good Government during the century
| Our people are determined to leave behind then
| all those bitter controversies concerning thing
| which have been irreyocably settled, furthe
discussion of which can only stir up strife ant
| delay the onward march. The supremacy o
the Nation and its laws should be no longer tn
subject of debate. That discussion which 70
| half a century threatened the existence of ths
| Union was closed at last in high court of wa
by decree from which there is no appeal.
That the Constitution and laws in pursuanc
thereof shall continue to be the supreme law o
the land, binding alike on the States of tn
| people, this decree does not disturb tn
| autonomy of the States nor interfere with an
| of their necessary rules of local self-govern
| ment, but it does fix and establish the per
manent supremacy of the Union:
The will of the Nation, speaking with tn
| voice of battle and through the amended Con
stitution, has fulfilled the great, promise o
1776 by proclaiming '1iberty throughout tn
| land to all the inhabitants thereof" and th
elevation of tho negro race from slavery to fu
| rights of citizenship, is the most importan
| political change we have known since the adoI
ton of the Constitution of 1776.
No thoughtful man can fail to appreciate ii
benefcent effect upon our people. 1t has free
us from the perpetual danger OF war and dii
olutlon; it has added immensely to the mors
and industrial forces of our people; it na
liberated the master as we'll as the slave from
| relation which wronged and enfeebled both.
1t has surrendered to their own guardianshi
the manhood of more than five millions of pei
pie, and has opened to each one OF them
career Of freedom and usefulness. 1t has give
new inspiration to the power of self-help
both races by making labor more honorable
one and more necessary to the other.
The influence of this force will grow great,
and bear richer fruit with coming years.
doubt greater change has caused serious di
turbance to our Southern community-this
to be deplored, though it was unavoidable-b
those who resisted the change should rememb,
that in our institutions there was no midd
ground for the negro race between slavery an
equal citizenship.
There can be no permanent disfranchist
peasanty in the United States. Freedom cs
never yield its fullness of blessings as long
law or its administration places the smallest
stacle in the pathway Of any virtuous citize
ship.
The emancipated race has already made
markable progress with unquestionable dev
ton to the Union, with patience and gent
ness not born of fear; 'they have followed Il
light as God gave them to see the light"
They are rapidly laying the material found
) tion for self-support, widening their circle
intelligence, and beginning to enjoy the blef
ings that gather around the homes of the
dustrious poor. They deserve the genero
!, encouragement of all good men.
So far as my authority can lawfully extel
they shall enjoy full and equal protection
the Constitution and laws. The free enjo
ment of equal suffrage is still in question, al
! o frank statement Of the issue may aid its sol
I ton.