The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-09-28
ResiJent Arthur's inaugural Address.

WAsHISGToN, September e.
President Arthur has just taken the oath Of
Office in the marble room at the Capitol in the
presence of the members of the Cabinet, the
Justices of the Supreme Court, a few Senators
and members of the House of Representatives,
all who could be notified this morning in time
to be present; also, General Sherman, General
Grant, Rear Admiral Nichols, Hon. Hannibal
Hamlin and a few others. This step was TAX
en- after the conference between the President.
Secretary Blaine and the Attorney General.
Very few persons knew that the oath was to
be administered until the ceremony was over.
The President and the members of the Cabinet
had assembled in the marble room shortly be
fore twelve o'clock. Chief Justice Waite, I'm
his full robes OF office, accom- panied by Asso-
ciate Justices, proceeded from the Supreme
Court room to the room. The doors were i'm
mediately closed, and without any formality
President Arthur arose, and standing on one
side of the center-table, with Chief Justice
Waite on the other, took the oath of Office.
The Presidents manner was calm and com
posed and his response, $50 help me God"
was in q firm tone and without a tremor. The
President then read from manuscript notes
the following address: ..
For the fourth time In the history of the Re
public its Chief Magistrate has been removed
by death. All hearts are filed with grief and
horror at the hideous crime which has dark
ened our land and the memory OF the muir.
dered President, his protracted sufferings, his
unyielding fortitude, the example and achieve
ments Of his life and pathos of his death will
forever adorn the pages of our history. For
the fourth time the officer elected by the peo-
pie and ordained by the Constitution to NIL O
vacancy so created is called to assume the Kx-
ecutive chair. The wisdom of our fathers
toreseeing 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 fabrics of
our free institutions remain unshaken. No
higher or more assuring proof could exist Of
the strength and permanency OF O popular
government than the fact that though the
chosen of the people be struck down his con-
stitutional successor is peacefully installed,
without shock or strain, except the sor-
row which mourns the bereavement. All
the noble aspirations Of my lamented
predecessor, which found their expression in
during his brief administration to correct the
abuse and enforce economy, to advance pros
perity and promote the general welfare and to
ensure domestic security and maintain friend
ly 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 fiscal policy is fixed
by law as well grounded and generally ap-
proved No threatening issue mars our for
eign intercourse, and the wisdom, integrity
and thrift of our people may be trusted to
continue undisturbed for the present, with as
sured career of peace, tranquility and welfare.
| The gloom and anxiety which have enshroud-
ed the country must make repose especially
welcome now. No demand for speedy legisla-
| tion has been heard; no adequate occasion so
apparent for an unusual session OF Congress.
The Constitution defines functions and pow
--RI