Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-09-27
Inauguration Of President Arthur.

Inauguration OF President Arthur.
A few hours after the death Of Presi-
lent Garfield the oath was administered
o General Chester A. Arthur at bis
lone by a member of the Supreme
Court of New York. On last Thursday
It noon he was regularly sworn in as
President of the United States at the
Capitol in Washington by Chief-J 6stice
Waite, in the presence of the members
If the cabinet. several Senators and
members of the House and two ex- Pres
idents. A few moments before IL
o'clock Chief Justice Waite, in his full
robes of Office, accompanied by the AS
sociate Justices, proceeded from the Su-
preme Court room to the Marble Room
The doors were Immediately closed, and
without any formality President Arthur
arose, and, standing upon one side of
the centre table, Chief-Justice Waite onI
the other, took the oath of Office. The|
Presidents manner was calm and com.
posed, and his response, $50 help mel
God" was in firm tone and without al
|tremor. The President then read FRONT
manuscript the following address:
PRESIDENT ARTHUR's INAUGURAL.
sFor the fourth time in the history of
the Republic its Chief Magistrate has|
been removed by death. ALI hearts areI
filled with grief and horror at the hide
|ous crime which has darkened our land,
land the memory of the murdered Pres-|
|ident, his protracted sufferings, his un 4
yielding 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 Constitution to fill
"a vacancy 80 created is called to assume
the executive chair. The wisdom of
our fathers, foreseeing even the most
dire possibilities, made sure that the
government should never be imperilled
because of the uncertainty of human
life. Men may die, but the fabric of
our free institutions remains mistaken.
: No higher or more assuring proof could
exist of the strength and permanence
- popular government than the fact
though the chosen of the people be
struck down, his constitutional sue
cessor is peacefully installed without
shock or strain, except the sorrow which
mOurns the bereavement. All the noble
aspirations of my lamented predecessor
which found expression in his life, the
measures devised and suggested during
and enforce economy, to advance pros
Xporitu md ,or0nnofo tho NON oro1 Wo1fo ro
TO insure domestic security and main
tain friendly and honorable relations
with the nations of the earth, will be
garnered in the hearts of the people,
and it will be my earnest endeavor to
profit and to see that the nation shall
profit by his example and experience
Prosperity blesses our country; our fis-
cal policy is fixed. by law, is we'll
grounded and generally approved; no
Threatening issue mars our foreign in
tercourse, and the wisdom, integrity
land thrift of our people may be trusted to
continue undjsturbed the present as
8sured career of peace, tranquility and
awelfare. The gloom and anxiety which
|ahave enshrouded the country must
51make repose especially welcome now.
mo demand for speedy legislation has
Hbeen heard, and no adequate occasion
8is apparent for an unusual session of
congress. The Constitution defines the
functions and powers of the executive
las those of either of the other two de-
apartments of the government, and be
must answer for the just exercise of the
f|discretion it permits and the perform
Z ance of the duties it imposes. Sum-
5moned to these high duties and respon-
abilities, and profoundly conscious of
#their magnitude and gravity. assume
1.-THE trust imposed by the Constitution,
8relying for aid on Divine guidance and
1.-The virtue, patriotism and Intelligence
&of the American people.
! After the reading of the address by
T the President, Secretary Blaine stepped
forward and grasped the Presidents
8hand, and after him his fellow members
|sof the cabinet and others present shook
$hands with the President.