Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-09-23
Pre- sfdent A,.thtr's Inaugural.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-Presdent Arthur
has Just taken the oath of office at the capitol,
in the presence of the members of the cabinet,
the justices of the supreme court and few
senators and members of the house of repre-
sentatives, all who could be notified this morn
ing in time TO be present. also, Gen. Sherman,
Gen. Grant, Rear Admiral Nichols, Hon. Han
nibal Hamlin, Gen. Beals and few others.
This step was taken after conference between
the president, Secretary Blaine and the attor-
ney general. Very few persons knew the oath
was to be administered until the ceremony
was over. The president and members of the
cabinet assembled in the mar
bic room shortly before 10 O'Clock.
Chief Justice Waite in his full robes of office,
accompanied by the associate justices, pro-
ceeded from the supreme court room to the
mMble room. The doors were Immediately
closed. Without any formality President Ar
thur arose and standing upon one side of the
center Of the table, Chief Justice Waite on the
other, took the oath of office. The president S
manner was calm and composed and his re-
sponse $50 help me God" was in a firm tone
and without tremor.
ADDRESS To THE NATIGN.
The president then read from manuscript
notes the following address
For the fourth time in the history of the
republic Its chief magistrate has been removed
by death. All hearts are filled with grief and
horror at the hidious crime which has darken-
ed our land, and the memories of the murder
ed president, his protracted sufferings, his I'M
yielding forttude, the examples and achieve
ments ofhis life, and the pathos of his death,
will forever illume the pages of our history.
For the fourth time the officer
elected by the people and ordained
by the constitution to fill a vacancy
so created, is called to assume the executive
chair The wisdom of our fathers, foreseeing
even the most dire possibilities, made sure
that the government should never be imper-
lied because of the uncertainty of human life.
Men may die, but the fabrics of our free in
stitutions remain unshaken. No higher or
more assuring proof could exist of the
strength and permanency of the popular gov
ernment than that though the chosen of the
people be struck down, his constitutional sue
cessor is peacefully installed without shock
or strain, except the sorrow which mourns the
bereavement.
All the noble aspirations of my lamented
predecessor, which found expression in his
life; the measures devised and suggested dur
ing his brief administration to correct abuses
and enforce economy, to advance property anC
promote the general welfare, to ensure domes
tic security and maintain friendly and honor
able relations with the nations of the earth
will be garnered in the hearts of the people
and it will be my earnest endeavor to prof
and to see that the nation shall profit by hi
example and experience. Prosperity blesse
our country. Our fiscal policy is fixed b,
law, is well grounded and generally approved
No threatening issue mars our foreign inter
course, and the wisdom, integrity ant
thrift of our people may be trusted to con
tinue undisturbed, the present assurance o
peace, tranquility and general welfare. Th
gloom and anxiety which have enshroudet
the country must make repose, especially wei
come now. No demand for speedy legisla
tion has been heard. No adequate occasion
is apparent for an unusual assembling o
Congress. The constitution delnes the func
tions and powers of the executive as clearl.
as those of either of the other departments o
the government, and he must answer for tn
just exercise of the discretion 1t permits, an,
for the performance of the duties it imposes
Summoned to these high duties and re
sponsibilities, and profoundly conscious O
their magnitude and gravity, assume tn
trusts imposed by the constitution, relyin
for aid on divine guidance and the virtue
patriotism and intelligence of the America
people.
CONGRATULATED.
After the reading of the address by IL
president, Secretary Blaine stepped forward an