Litchfield enquirer., 1881-03-10
President James A. Garfeld's Inaug-
 ural Address.

| national life, century crowded with perils
 but crowned with the triumphs of liberty and
 law. Before continuing the onward march
 let us pause on this night for moment to
 strengthen our faith and renew our hope by a
 glance at the pathway along which our people
 have travelled. It is now three days more l than hundred yeafs since the adoption of l the first written constitution of the United States and the articles of confederation and perpetual union. The new republic was then beset with danger on every hand. It had not l conquered place Tn the family of nations The decisive battle of the war for independ- cDce, whose centennial anniversary will soon | De gratefully celebrated at Yorktown, had not yet been fought The colonists were struggling not only against the armies of a great nation but against the settled opinions of mankind, for the world did not then be- !leve that the supreme authority of govern ment could be safely entrusted to the guar dianship of the people themselves. We csn-
 not over-estimate the fervent love of liberty, the intelligent courage and the saving com mon sense with which our fathers made the great experiment of self government. When they found. after short trial, that the con- federacy of states was too weak to meet the necessities of a vigorous and expanding re- public, they boldly set it aside and instead es- tablished National Union founded directly upon the will of the people, endowed with full power of self-preservation, and with am- pie authority for the accomplishment of it's great objects. Under this constitution the boundaries of freedom have been enlarged the foundations of order and peace have been strengthened, and the growth of our people in all the better elements of national life has in- dicated the wisdom of the founders and given new hope to their descendants Under this constitution our people long ago made them selves safe against danger from without and secured for their mariners and flag equality of rights on all the seas. Under this constitu- tion twenty five states have been added to the Union, with constitutions and laws framed and enforced by their own citizens to secure the manifold blessings of local self govern ment. The jurisdiction of this constitution now covers an area fifty times greater than that of the original thirteen states, and pop ulation twenty times greater than that of 1780
 BENEFICENT RESULTS OF THE WAR.
 The supreme trial of the constitution came at last under the tremendous pressure of civil war. We ourselves are witnesses that the Union emerged from the blood and fire of that conflict purified and made stronger for all the benefcent purposes of good government, and now, at the close of this first century of growth, with the inspiration of it's history in their hearts, our people have lately reviewed the condition of the nation, passed judgment upon the conduct and opinions of political parties, and have registered their will con corning the future admin istration of the gov. crnment. To interpret and execute that will i'll accordance. with the constitution is the par amount duty of the executive. Even from this brief review it is manifest that the nation is resolutely facing to the front, resolved to employ it's best energies in developing the great possibilities of the future, sacredly pre- serving whatever has been gained to liberty and good government during the century 1; our people are determined to leave behind them all those bitter controversies which have been irrevocably settled, and further discussion of which can only stir up strife and delay the onward march. The supremacy of the na- tion and it's laws should be no longer sub- ject of debate. That discussion which for half century threatened the existence of the Union was closed at last in the high court of war by decree from which there is no appeal; that the constitution and the laws made in pursuance thereof are and shall continue to be the supreme law of the land, binding alike up- on the states and the people. This decree does not disturb the autonomy of the states nor interfere with any of their necessary rights of local self-government, but it does fix and establish the permanent supremacy of the Union. The will of the nation, speaking with the voice of battle and through the amended constitution, has fulfilled the great promise of 1776 by proclaiming liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof .~
 STATUS OF THE COLoRED MAN.
 The elevation of the negro from slavery and the bestowal on him of the full rights of citi- zenship are the most important political changes we have known since the adoption of the constitution of 17S9 No thoughtful man can fail to appreciate it's benefcence upon our institutions and people. It has saved us from perpetual danger of war and dissolution. It has added immensely to the moral and indus trial forces of our people. IL has liberated the master as we'll as the slave from rela- tion which wronged and enfeebled both. It has surrendered to their own guardianship the manhood of more than 5000, 900 of people, and has opened to each one of them a career of freedom and usefulness It has given new inspiration to the power of self, help in both races, by making labor more honorable to one and more necessary to the other. The influ. ence of this force will grow greater and bear richer fruit with the coming years. No doubt the great change has caused serious disturb. ance to our southern communities; this it to be deplored though it was perhaps unavoid- able: but those who resisted the change should remember that under our constitution there was no middle ground for the negro race be- tween slavery and equal citizenship. There can be no permanent disfranchisement of peasantry in the United States freedom can never yield it's fulness of blessings so long as the law. or it's administration places the small est obstacle Tn the way of any vrtu0us citi- zen. The emancipated race have already made remarkable progress. With unques- tioning devotion to the Union, with apatence and gentleness not born of fear, they have fol- lowed the light as God gave them to see the light they are rapidly laying the foundation of self-support, widening their circle of intel ligence and beginning to enjoy the blessings that gather around the home-of the industrial poor. They deserve the generous encourage ment of all good men. So far as my author ity can lawfully extend they shall enjoy equal rights and equal protection under the consti- tuition and laws. The full and free eajoy- ment Of equal suffrage is still in question and frank statement of the issue may aid us.
 FREEDOM OF THE BALLOT AND THE PERILs OF IGNORANCE.
 It is alleged that in many communities ne-
 
 ballot. In so far as the truth is concerned this allegation is admitted. It is answered l that in many places honest local government is impossible if the mass of uneducated ne- groes are allowed to vote These are grave al- legations. So far as the latter is true it is the only palliation that can he offered for oppos. ing the freedom of the ballot. Bad local gov ernment is certainly great evil which ought to beprevented. but to violate the freedom and sanctity of the suffrage is more than an evil. It is crime which if persisted in will destroy the government itself. Suicide is not rem edy. If in other lands it is high treason to conpass the death of king. it should be counted no less crime to strangle our sov- ereign power and stife it's voice. It has been said that unsettled questions have no pity for the repose of nations. It should be said with I the utmost emphasis that this question of sui frage will never give repose or safety to state l or nation until each within it's own jurlsdic 1 tion it nlakesand keepsthe ballot free and pure