The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-09-30
President Arthur's Inaugural Address.

On Thursday President Arthur again took
the oath to support and defend the Constitu.
ton, before Chief Justice Waite, at the Capt.
tol. Gen. Grant, ex. President Hayes, mem
bers of the Cabinet and few others were
present. After being sworn in, the President
delivered the following inaugural address:
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 darkened our
land, and the memory of the murdered President,
his protracted suferings, his unyeding 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 consti-
tuition to fill vacancy so created Is called 10 as
sumo the executive chair The wisdom of our
fathers foreseeing even the most dire possible
ties. made sure that the government should never
be imperiled because of the uncertainty of human
life Men may die, but the fabric of our free in
situations remains mistaken. No higher or more
assuring proof could exist of the strength and
that though the chosen of the people be struck
down, his constitutional successor Is peacefully
installed without shock or strain, except the sor-
BILE aspirations ofmy lamcnted predecessor which
found expression in his life, the measures devised
and suggested during his brief administration TO
correct abuses and enforce economy, to advance
prosperity and promote the general welfare, to
insure domestic security and maintain friendly
earth, will be garnered in the hearts of the peo-
pie, and ii will be my earnest endeavOr to profit
and to see that the nation shall ploht by his ex-
ample and experience. Prosperity besses our
country our fiscal policy is liked by law is we'll
grounded and generally approved no threatening
issue mars our foreign intercourse, and the wis
dom, integrity and thrift of our people may be
trusted to continue undisturbed the present as
sured career of peace, tranquility and welfare
The gloom and anxiety which have enshrouded
the country must make repose especially well
come now: No demand for speedy legislation has
been heard, and no adequate occasion is apparent
for an unusual session of Congress. The consi-
tuition defines the functions and powers of the eX-
ecutive as clearly as those of either of the other
two departments of the government, and he must
answer for the just exercise of the discretion it
permits and the performance of the duties it i'm
poses. Summoned to these high duties and re-
sponsibilities, and profoundly conscious of their
magnitude and gravity, assume the trust i'm
posed by the constitution, relying for aid on Di-
vine guidance and the virtue, patriotism and in
telligence of the American people
1t will be seen that the new President docs
not propose to inaugurate any violent change
of the general policy of President Garfields
administration. Changes in the Cabinet will
doubtless take place, but we have no fear
that the general prosperity of the country
will suffer by reorganization of the Cabi-
net. 1t is intimated that in the event of the
resignation of Secretary Blaine, he will be
offered the post of minister to England.
The first act of President Arthur's admin
istration was to issue a proclamation calling
upon the people of the United States to OBJ
serve Monday, the Goth instant, as day of
humiliation and mourning. Accordingly
Governor Hamilton as well as the Cover
nors of other States, designated the same day
for the purpose mentioned, and solemn re-
ligious services were held throughout the
United States. The day was also observed
by the closing of stores and places of bust
ness.
President Arthur has great opportunity
before him. The gates of the political forum
are closed for the tmc and the strife of politics
is hushed. There is a disposition on every
hand to give his administration fair trial,
and by moderate, conservative course he
may make himself felt to be the President of
the United States, and not merely the Pres-
dent Of the Republican party.