Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-03-11

The Inaugural Address.

lei us pause on this height fos a moment to
strengthen our faith and renew our hope by a
glance at the pathway along which our peo-
pie have travelled.
1t is now three days more than hundred
years since the adoption Of the FIRST written
Constitution of the United States-the arti-
cles of confederation and perpetual union.
The new republic was then beset with danger
on every hand II had not conquered place
N the family OF nations. The decisive battle
Of the war for Observation-Disclosures ceuten-
NAL anniversary will soon De gratefully cele-
brated at Yorkiown--had not yet been fought
The colonisIs were struggling not only against
the armies of great nation, but against the
settled opinions of mankind for the world
did no. then believe that the supreme au-
thority Of government could be safely en-
trusted TO the guardianship of the people
themselves.
We cannot overeslimaie the ferveAt love OF
liberty, the intelligent courage and the saw
ing common sense with which our fathers
made the great experiment of self government
When they found after short trial, that the
coLiederacy OF states was too weak to meet
the necessities Of a vigorous and expanding
republic they boldly set it aside, and in
stead established national union, founded
directly upon the whole Of the people, en-
dowed with full powers of self-preservation,
and with ample authority for the accomplish
ment Of it's great objects. Under this Consi-
tuition the boundaries of freedom have been
enlarged, the foundations OF order and peace
have been strengthened, and the growth Of
the people in all the better elements of ma
tional life has vindicated the wisdom Of the
founders and given new hope to their descen-
dants.
Under this Constitution our people long
ago made themselves safe against danger from
without; and secured for their mariners and
flag equality Of rights on all seas. Under this
Constitution twenty-five states have been adj
ded to the Union, with constitutions and
laws formed and enforced by their own cti-
zens, to secure the manifold blessings of local
self-government.
The jurisdiction of this Constitution now
covers an area fifty times greater than that Of
the original thirteen states, and q population
twenty times greater than that OF 1880. The
supreme trial of the Constitution came in 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 stroger for all the
benefcent 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 re-
viewed the condition OF the nation, passed
judgment upon the conduct and opinions OF
political parties, and have registered their
will concerning the future administration OF
the government To interpret and to execute
that will in accordance with the Constitution
is the paramount duty Of the executive.
FACING TO THE FRONT.
Even from this brief review il is manifest
that the nation is resolutey facing to the
front, resolved to employ its best energies in
developing The great possibilities OF the future.
Sacredly preserving whatever has been gained
to liberty and good government during the
century, our people are determined to leave
behind them all those bitter controversies
concerning things which have been irrevoca-
bly, settled, and the further discussion Of
which can only stir up strife and delay the
ouwarn march. The supremacy Of the nation
and lis laws should no longer be Il subject of
debate. That discussion which for half a
century threatened the existence,of the Union,
and closed at last in the high court of war,
by decree from which there is no appeal,
declares that the Constitution and the laws
made In pursuance thereof, shall continue TO
be the supreme law of the land, binding alike
upon the states and the people. This decree
does not disturb the autonomy of the states,
nor interfere with any OF their rights OF local
self-government but IL does fix and establish
the permanent supremacy Of The Union. The
will OF the nation, speaking with voice oil
battle and through the amended Oonstitu-
tion; has fulfilled the great promise OF l776
by proclaiming "liberty throughout the land
to all the inhabitants thereof"
The elevation Of the negro race from sla-
very 10 the fall rights of citizenship is the
most important political change we have
known since the adoption Of the Constitution
of 1887. No thoughtful man can fail TO ap'
precate its benefcent effect upon our institu.
lions aud people. 1t has freed US from the
perpetual danger of war and dissolution.
1t has added immensely to the moral and
industrial forces of our people. /, has liber'
a,ed the master, as well as the slave, from d
relation which wronged and enfeebled both
II has surrendered to their own guardianship
the manhood of more than 1000, 900 Of PEG
pie, and has opened 10 each one Of them 4
career of freedom and usefulness. II hal
given new inspiration to the power Of self
help in both races by making labor more
honorable to the one and more necessary tC
the other The influence of this course will
grow greater and bear richer fruit with the
coming years.
No doubt the great change has caused seri
Gus disturbance to our Southern communities
This is to be deplored though it was, per
haps, unavoidable.
But those who resisted the change should
remember that under our institutions ther'
was no middle ground for the negro race be
tween slavery and equal citizenship. Their
! can be no permanent DISTINGUISHED peasantry
| in the United States. Freedom can never yielt
Its fulness of blessings so long as the law Of
| fla tao hot aal
| In the way of any virluous citizen. Tn
emancipated race has already made remarka
BILE progress. With unquestioning devotion
to the Union, with patience and gentlenes
not bora Of fear, they have FOLLOWED tn
light, as God gave them TO see the light.
They are rapidly laying the material founda
tons Of self-support, widening the circle o
Intelligence, and beginning TO enjoy the bless
ings that gather around the homes of the in
dustrious poor. They deserve the generou
encouragement of all good men.
So far as my authority can lawfully extend
they shall enjoy the full and equal protection
Of the Constitution and the laws.
SUFFRAGE AND EDUCATION.
The free enjoyment of equal suffrage is still
in question, and a frank statement Of the is
sues may aid its soluiion. It is alleged tina
10 macy communities negro citizens are prac
tically denied the freedom of the ballot. Ii
so far as the truth of this allegation is ad
mit,ed, II is answered that in many place
honest local government is impossible If III
mass of ppeducated negroes are allowed L
vote These are grave allegations So far a
the latter is true, it is the only palliaton tina
can be offered for opposing the freedom of tn
ballot, Bad local government is certainly
great evil, which ought TO be prevented bu
10 violate the freedom aud sanctily OF III
suffrage is more than an eyil--it is a crime
which, il persisted in, will destroy the gov
ernment itself Suicide is not remedy.
in other lands il be high treason TO compass
the death Of the king, il should be counte
no less a crime here to strangle our sovereign
power and s,ihe It's voice.
II had been said that nsettlsd question
have no pity for repose of nations. Il shoulC
be said with the utmost emphasis, that thi
question Of the suffrage will never give repos,
or safety to the states or TO the nation unit
each within its own jurisdiction makes an
keeps the ballot FREQ aud pure by the siren
sanctions Of the law; but the danger whc
arises from ignorance In the voter cannot b
denied. II covers II field far wider than tina
OF negro suffrage, and the present condition
Of the race. IL is a danger that turks an,
hides In the sources and fountains OF power
-. a