The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1881-03-19
The Inauguration.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS


more overrun with people from all
points of the continent attracted
here by the approaching Inaugural
ton which will be the most magni-
fcent and imposing demonstration
ever vet witnessed in Washington.
All who believe in the divine right
of the people to govern themselves
will see, in the Inauguration oi
President Garfield, something far
more grand and imposing than all
the pomp and pageantry with
which it has been deemed proper
TO signalize this event. Infinitely
more impressive than ProcessIons'
decorations and illuminauons IS
the simple fact that under our
form of government James A.
Garfield, like number of his most
iIlustrious predecessors in the
Presidency, has made his way
from humble poverty to the high
est position on earth. To be one
in line of hereditary monarchs,
to be heir to a throne by the accl-'
dent of birth, is no honor To the
Prince who thus secures a crown,
and affords no encouragement,
gives no grand lesson to his coun-
trymen. Hundreds of the small
est, meanest men, whose narrow,
bestial lives have disgraced and
degraded the race, have descend
ed from the loins of royal ancestry
and have mounted thrones TO curse
their unhappy subjects. We have
no crown but the choice of a free
people, no coronation but a simple
oath of fidelity to the peoPle-nc
place so high that the humbles'
child of toll and poverty may moi
reach it. But the presidency o
this republic, legitimately attained
is the pinnacle of political great
ness. Look at the emperors an'
kings of Europe; the Alexanders
the Williams, the Francis JOsephs
the Humberrs, the Alfonsos
There is not one of them VIII
would ever have been heard c
outside his native village had h
been born In the lower walks c
life. There is not one OF theI
who. with all the advantages
education and the best society, hs
developed into more than tn
average man. 1t may be doubte
if Europe has had an hered
tary monarch for centuries wi
would compare with the averas
member of one of our state legi
latures. The Inauguration OF Ga
field is a renewed assurance
every family in the United Stat
that the highest station is open
the humblest. There are a mllll'
boys in this country to-day, ea
OF whose chances To reach {
Presidency are quite as good
were those of the widow GarhelC
boy forty years ago. And I
friends of the republican instl'
tions of the Old World, sick of
empty show of royalty and mob
ity, wearied with the baubles whc
cost eats up the ceaseless toll
millions, can point to this Capt.
to our peaceful transfer of pow
TO the cheerful acquiescence Of
defeated party in the declared. v
of the people, and the spectacle
which they direct the attention
Europe will be an unanswera
argument in favor of goverRm
of the people, by the people,
the people. The representa-
of monarchical governments
will view the spectacle will
nothing startling in our array
armed men, but if they are ca
BILE of correct Interpretation {
will understand that another {
tury of progress in our repu
will be fatal to monarchy in
rope. For, in the light of our
ample, such delusion as her
-tary rule and the divine righr
kings cannot endure. We
now near neighbors to the pc