Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-03-11
President Garfleld's Inaugural.

an eminence which Overlooks hundred
years of national life-a century crowded
with perils, but crowned with the tri-
umphs of liberty and law. Before contin-
uing the onward march let us pause on
this height for a moment to strengthen
our faith and renew our hope by glance
at the pathway along which our people
have travelled 1t is now three days more
than hundred years since the adoption
of the first written constitution of the
United States-the articles of confedera-
tion and perpetual union. The new re-
public was then beset with danger on every
hand. 1t had not conquered place in the
family of nations The decisive battle Of
the war for independence, whose centen'
NAL anniversary will soon be gratefully
celebrated at yorktown, had not yet been
fought The colonists were struggling not
only against the armies OF great nation,
but against the settled opinions OF man.
kind: for the world did not then believe
that the supreme authority of government
could be safely entrusted to the guardian
ship of the people themselves.
We cannot overestimate the feivent love
of liberty, the intelligent courage and the
saving common sense with which our fat9-
ers made the great experiment OF 5elf-goV-
eminent.
When they found. after a short trial,
that the confede1acy of States was too
weak to meet the necessities of a vigorous
and expanding republic, they boldly set it
aside and in its stead established Nation
al Union, founded directly upon the whole
of the people, endo wed with full power OF
preservation, and with ample authOrl-
ty for the omplishment of its great OBJ
jects
Under this constitution the boundaries
of freedom have been enlarged, the foun-
dations of order and peace have been
strengthened, and the growth of our peo--
pie in all the better elements OF national
life has indicated the wisdom of the
founders and given new hope to their de-
scendants.
Under this constitution our people long
ago made themselves safe against danger
from without, and secured for their mari
ners and flag equality of rights on all seas.
Under this constitution twenty-five
States have been added to the Union, with
constitutions and laws framed and en-
forced by their own citizens to secure the
manifold blessings Of local self-govern-
ment. The Jurisdiction OF this conStltu-
ton now covers an area fifty times greater
than that of the original thirteen States,
and population twenty times greater than
that of 1880. 49,
The supreme trial of the constitution
came in at last under the tremendous pres
sure of civil war. We ourselves are wit
nesses that the Union emerged from the
blood and fire of that conflict purified and
made stronger for all the beneficent pur-
poses of good government.
And now, at the close of this first CEN
fury of growth, with the inspirations 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 reg
istered their will concerning the future
administration of the government. 10 In
terpret and to ecute that will IN accord
ance With the constitution is the para
mount duty of the Executive.
Even from this brief review it IS mani
fest that the nation is resolutely facing to
the front, resolved to employ it's best en-
ergies in developing the great possibilities
of the future, Sacredly preserving what
ever has been gained to liberty and good
government during the century, our peo-
pie are determined to leave behind them all
those bitter controversies concerning
things which have been 1rreVocably settled,
and the further discussion of which can
only stir nm strife and DELAY the onward
march. The supremacy of the nation and
its laws shonld no longer be a subject of
debate That discussion. which for half q
century, threatened the existence cf the
Union, was closed at last in the high court
of this war by decree from which there
is no appeal, that the coDstitut ion and the
laws made in pursuance thereof are and
shall continue to be the supreme law OF
the land binding alike upon the States and
the neonle This decree does not disturb the
AUTONOMY of the States. nor interfere with
any of their rights of local self-government
huf # does fix and establish the permanent
supremacy of the Union, The will of The
nation. speaking with voice of battle anG
through the amended constitution, has full
| filled the great promise of 1776 by pro
| claiming "liberty throughout the land t.
all the inhabitants thereof
The elevation of the negro race from
slavery to the full rights of citizenship il
| the most important political change w
| have known since the adoption of the con
titution of 1887. No thoughtful man car
| fail to appreciate it's benefcent effect upor
| our institutions and people. 1t has freed
| us from the perpetual danger of war an(
dissolution. 1t has added immensely tt
| the moral and ind ustrial forces OF our PEG
| pie. 1t has liberated the master as well al
| the slave from relation which wronget
and enfeebled both. 1t has surrendered t.
their own guardianship the manhood O
more than five millions of people, and ha
opened to each one of them career o
| freedom and usefulness. 1t has given new
| inspiration to the power of self-help il
Goth races by making labor more honora
BILE to the one and more necessary to thu
other. The influence of this course will
grow greater and bear richer fruit with tn
coming years.
No doubt the great change has CAUSED
serious disturbance to our southern com
mnnities. This is to be deplored, though i
was perhaps unavoidable. But those witt
resisted the change should remember tina
under our institu; ions there was no mid
die ground for the negro race between sla
very and equal citizenship. There can b,
no permanent DISTINGUISHED peasantry il
the United States. Freedom can neve