Connecticut western news., 1881-03-09
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD, AT
 WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March 4,

WASHINGTON.
 WASHINGTON, March 4. @% Felto,O Citizens We stand to-day upon an eminence which overlooks a hundred years of National life-a century crowded with perils, but crowded with the triumphs of liberty and law. Before continuing the onward march, let us pause on this height for moment to strengthen our faith and renew our hope by glance at the path way along which our people have travelled
 V It1is now three days more than hun- dred years since the adoption of the first written Constitution of the United States-the articles of confederation and perpetual union. The new Re- public was then beset with danger on every hand. It had not conquered a ~plaee in the family of nations. The de- cisive battle' of the War for Independ- ence, whose centennial anniversary will sssoon be gratefully celebrated at York town, had not yet been fought. The colonists were struggling not only agalnst the armies of a great nation, but against the settled opin ons of man. kind for the world did not believe that the supreme authority of government scould be safely entrusted to the guard lanshlp of the people themselves, We cannot overestimate the fervent love of liberty, the intelligent courage, and the saving common sense with which our fathers made the great exper- iment of self government.
 When they found, after short trial, -=that the confederacy of States was too weak to meet the necessities of vigor- .sous and expanding Republic, they boldly set it aside and in it's stead estab- s-hshed National Union, founded di- Srectly upon the will of the people, en- Sdowed with future powers of self-pres- seryation and with ample authority for the accomplishment of its great objects Ss@ Under this Constitution, the bounda- ries of freedom have been enlarged, the foundations of order and peace have been strengthened, and the growth in ~au the better elements of National life has vindicated the wisdom of the found CTS 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 mariners and flag equality of right on all the seas.
 Under this Constitution 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 gov ernment.
 The Jurisdiction of this Constitution now covers an area fifty times greater than that of the original thirteen States, and a population twenty times greater than that of 1780.
 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 bene6cent purposes of good government. And now, at the close of this first century of growth, with the inspirations of its history In their hearts our people have lately reviewed the condition of the nation, passed judgment upon the conduct and opinions of political par ties and have registered their will con. eerning the future administration of the Government. To interpret and to ex- ecute that will in accordance with the Constitution is the paramount duty of the Executive.
 Even from this brief review it is man. ifest that the nation isresolutely facing to the front, resolved to employ its best energies in developing the great possi- bilities of the future ; sacredly preserv- ing whatever has been gained to liberty and good government during the cen tury, our people are determined to leave behind them all those bitter controver- sies concerning things which have been rrevocably settled, and the future dis cussion of which can only stir up strife and delav the on ward m arch
 The supremacy of the nation and its laws should be no longer 8 subject o debate. That discussion, which fol half Q century threatened the existence of the Union, was closed at last in the high court of war by decree iron which there is no appeal; that the Con stitution and the laws made in pursu ance, thereof are and shall continue t, be the supreme law of the land, blnd ing alike upon the States andFthe peo pie. This decree does not disturb tn autonomy of the States nor interfer with any of their necessary rules of lnca self-government; but it does fix an establish the permanent supremacy c the Union.
 The will of the nation speaking wit the voice of battle and through tn amended Constitution has fulfilled tn
 
 Liberty throughout the land to all tn inhabitants thereof"
 The elevation of the negro race fror slavery to the full rights of citizenshi is the most important political chang we have known since the adoption ( the Constitution of 1787. No thought ful man can fail to appreciate it's benef cent effect upon our institutions an people. It has freed us from the pei petua1 danger of war and dissolution It has added immensely to the mors and industrial forces of our people. has liberated the master as we'll as tn slave from relation which wronge and enfeebled both. It has surrendere to their own guardianship the maphoo of more than 5000 0,O0O of people, an has opened to each one of them 8 caree of freedom and usefulness. It has give new inspiration to the power of sel help in both races by making labc more honorable to the one and mol necessary to the other. The infuent of this force will grow greater and bes richer fruit with the coming years.
 No doubt the great change has cause serious disturbance to our Southe1 community. This is to be deploret though 1t WAS unavoidable. But thos who resisted the change should remen Der that under our institutions there W. nomiddle ground for the negro race b tween slavery and equal citizenshil There can beno permanent disfranchise peasantry in the United States. Ere dom can never yield its fullness blessings, so long as the law or it's admil IafrofT,va ro1oaoc +ho I1nof oh al