The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-03-10
INAUGURATION OF PRESI-
DENT GARFIELD.
Immense Display, Un"qunlled MaSnih-
cence, the Inaugural Address.

field took place Friday, and WAS by far
the most enthusiastic and elaborate
demonstration that ever attended the
induction of any President into that
high office. Early in the morning
the President elect repaired to the
White House, from which place, with
President Hayes and members of the
families of the outgoing and incoming
officials, the committee of arrange.
ments, military and police, civic Off.
GERS and societies, citizens in carriages
and on foot-in fact perfect throng
that would occupy a half column
of the FREE PRESS to specify, moved
in column to the capitol, where the
formal ceremony took place. 1t
rained and showed at intervals during
the forenoon, but as the time ap-
preached for the delivery of the al.
dress the skies cleared and the sun
shone out upon the gala and dignified
scene. Prominent among the vast
throng of fifty thousand people was
the aged mother of the President.
elect. and who proudly watched her
gallant son us the honors were shower
ed upon him, and who knows us the
tears cOursed down her cheeks but
the tow-path days of that proud son
came up freshly in her mind, coupled
with the thoughts of the trying days
of poverty when that son james was
struggling for an education! The oath
of office was administered by Chief
Justice Waite, after which the inau-
gural address was delivered, the main
portions of which we give, rs fol
lows:
FELLOW CITIZENS: We stand to-day upon
an eminencc which OverluOks hundred years
Of national lfe-a century crowded with
perilS but crowned with the triumph of libcr-
~ and love. Before continuing the onward
march let us pause Il moment at this height
for II moment TO strengthen our faith and re-
new our hope by glance at the pathway
along which our people have Travelled. Ii Is
now three days more than hundred years
since the adoption of the first written cOnsti-
tuition of the United States, the articles OF
confederation and perpetual union.
The new republic was then beSet with dan
ger on every hand. IL had not conquered n
place in the family Of nations. The decisive
battle Of the war for independence, whose
centennial anniversary viii soon be CRATE
fully celebrated mt Yorktown, had not yet
been fought. The cOlonsts were struggling
not only against the armies Of Great Britain
Inn nnni nsf spfIln1 nntninns "A m
for the world did not believe that the SUI
preme authority Of government could be
safely entrusted To the guardianship of the
people themselves. We cannot underestimate
the feryent love OF lieeE5Hsehhsse with Which
6ur fathers made the great experiment OF
self-government. When they found after u
short time that u cOnfederacy OF the States
was too weak u meet the necessities Of the
vigorous and expanding republic, they boldly
set II aside and In its stead established the
national Union, founded directly upon all the
people, endowed with full powers of self-pre-
Servation and with ample authority for the
accomplishment ot ITS great object. Under
this constitution the boundaries of freedom
have been enlarged, the foundations Of order
and peace been strengthened, and growth In
all the better elements OF national life ha>
vndicated the wisdom Of the founders, and
given new hope to their descendants. Under
this constitution our people made themselves
safe against danger from without, and secured
for their mariners and flag equality Of rights
twenty-five States have been added To the
Union, with constitutions and laws formed
and enforced by their own citizens To secure
the Id blessings Of local self-gOvern-
ment. the Jurisdiction of this constitution
now covers al area nifty times greater than
that Of the original thirteen States and p Dp-
ulation twenty times greater than that Of 1850
The supreme trial Of the constitution came at
last under the tremendous pressure Of civil
war. We ourselves arc witnesses that the
Union emerged from the blood and fire Of that
conflict purified and made stronger for all the
benetcent purposes Of good government.
And now at the close Of this, the first century
Of growth, with the inspirations Of its history
In their hearts, our people have lately review
ed the condition Of the nation, passed judy
ment upon the conduct and opinions Of
political parties, and have registered their
will concerning the future administration Of
the government, and to interpret and execute
that will In acc Jrdance with the constitution,
is the paramount duty OF the executive.
The elevation Of the negro race, from slav-
cry to full rights Of citizenship, is the most
important political change we have known
since the adopt IN OF the constitution Of 1857. |
beneficent effect on our people. 1t has freed |
US from the perpetual danger Of war and dis |
solution. IL has added immensely to the NOR
al and industrial force Of our people. II has |
liberated the master rs well US the slave from |
a relation which wrong and enfeebled both. |
II has surrendered to their own guardianship |
tne mannOOu OF more tnun uve million peO- L
pie, and has opened 10 each one Of them ca
reer Of freedom and usefulness. 1t has given |
new inspiration to the power Of self help I'm |
both races, by making labor more honorable /
10 one and more necessary to the other. The
influence OF this force will grow greater and
bear richer fruit with coming years. No
ioubt the great change has caused serious
to oursouthern community. This
8 TO be deplored, though IL was unavoidable,
nut those who resisted the change should re-
member that under our institutions there was
10 middle ground for the negro race between
lavery and equalization. There could be no
permanent DISTINGUISHED peasantry I'm the
Juited States It is alleged that in |
many communities negro citizens are practi-
ally denied the freedom Of the ballot. In so
ar as the truth Of this allegation Is admitted,
I IL answered that I'm many places honest local
government is impossible IL mass of unedu-
ated negroes are allowed to vote. These are
rave allegations. 30 far as the latter is true
is the only palliation that can be offered for
pposing the freedom OF the ballot. Bad local
overnment Is certainly great evil which l
ught TO be prevented, but to violate the free
ON and sanctity OF suffrage Is more than an /
VII. II IN crime which II protested in will 4
estroy the government itself. Suicide is not \
remedy. If In other lands II be high trea-
On TO compass the death Of king, II should \
Q counted no less q crime here to strangle \
W sovereign power and stide it voice. u