Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-23
GEN. ARTHUR
Again Takes the Oath of Office at WASH
ingtOn.-Ilis Address Upon Taking the
Oath.-NO Extra Session Of Congress TO
be Called.

WAsHISGroN, Sept. -. President Arthur
has Just taken the oath of office in the marble
room in the Capitol in the presence of the
Cabinet Justices of the Supreme Court, few
Senators and members of the House of Rep
resentatives of Congress. all who could be
notified this forenoon in time to be present:
also Gems. Sherman and Grant, Rear Ad-
mral Nichols. Hon. Hannibal Hamlin. Gen.
Beale and few others. Forty persons in
all were present at the time the oath was
taken. This step was taken after a confer
ence, held about an hour since, between the
President, Secretary Blaine and Attorney
General McVeagh.
Very few persons knew that the oath was
to be administered until the ceremony was
over The President and members of the
| Cabinet had assembled in the marble room
shortly before twelve o'clock. A few min
| utes before twelve Chief Justice Waite, in
his full robes of office, accompanied by the
| assistant justices proceeded from the Supreme
| Court room to the marble room The doors
were Immediately closed, and without any
Formally, President Arthur arose, and stand
ing upon one side of the centre table, with
| Chief Justice Waite on the other took the
oath of office The Presidents manner was
calm and composed, and his response $50
| help me God" was in firm tones and with
out tremor.
| The President then read from manuscript
| notes the following address.
The Address.
For the fourth time in the history of the
| Republic, its chief magistrate has been re-
moved by death. All hearts are filed with
| grief and horror at the hideous crime which
has dsrkened our land and the memory of the
murdered President. his protracted suffer ings
/ his trpyiaidipu fnrfifuJa ha ayampla md
achievements of his life 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 vacancy
| so created, is called to assume the executive
| chair. The wisdom of our fathers. foresee-
| ing even the most dire possibilities made sure
that the government should never be i'm
perilled because of the uncertainty of human
| life. Men may die, but the fabrics of our
free institutions remain mistaken. No high
er or more reassuring proof could exist of the
| strength and permanency of the republican
government than the fact that. though the
chosen of the people be struck down, his
| constitutional successor is successfully in
stalled without shock or jar, except the sor-
row which mourns the bereavement
| All the noble aspirations of my lamented
predecessor which found expression in life
the measures devised and suggested during
| his brief administration to correct abuses
to enforce integrity, to advance prosperity
and promote the general welfare, to ensure
domestic security and maintain friendly and
| honorable relations with all the nations of
the earth. will be garnered in the hearts of
the people, and il will be my most earnest en-
deavor to profit bv his example and expert
cnce. and promote the prosperity which bles.es
| our country.
Our fiscal policy is fixed, ard well ground
ed and generally approved. No threatening
issue mars our foreign intercourse, and the
wisdom, integrity AMI thrift of our people
may be trusted to continne undisturbed, and
the present assured career of peace and pros
perity, tranquility and welfare.
The gloom and anxiety viii h have ..
shrouded the country must make peace and
calm welcome Now no demand for speedy
legislation has been heard, and no adequate
occasion is apparent for an unusual session
of Congress
The constitution defines the functions and
powers of the Executive as clearly As those o.
| representatives of the other two departments
OF the government, and he must answer for