Smyrna times., 1881-09-28
President Arthur's Address,

On Thursday President Arthur took |
again the oath of office in the Marble |
Room at the Capitol, in the presence of
the Cabinet, the Justices of the Supreme
Court, a few Senators and members of the |
House of Representatives, all who could
be notified in time to be present; also
Gen. Sherman, Gen. Grant, Rear Admiral
Nichols, Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, Gen.
Beale and a few others. Forty people in
all were present at the time the oath was
taken. This step was taken after a con-
ference between the President, Secretary
Blaine and the AttOrney-General.
A few minutes before ~ o'clock Chief
Justice Waite in his full robes of office ac-
compained by the associate justices pro-
ceeded from the Supreme Court room to
the Marble Room. Arthur arose and
standing upon one side of the centre
table, Chief Justice Waite OH the other
took the oath of office. The Presidents
manner was calm and composed and his
response Z" So help me God" was in firm
tones and without tremor. The 2resi-
dent then read from his 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 hideous crime
which has darkened our land, and the
memory of the murdered President, his
protracted suffering, his unyielding forti-
tude, the example and achievements of
his life, and the pathos of his death will
forever illuminate the pages of our his
tory. 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 forseeing even
the most dire possibilities made sure that
the government should never be imperil-
J led because Of the uncertainty of human
: life. Men may die, but the fabrics of our
free institutions remain unshaken. No
higher or more assuring proof could exist
D of the strength and permanence of popu-
1 lar government than the fact that though
e the chosen of the people be struck down
. his constitutional successor is peacefully
S installed without shock or strain except
the sorrow which mourns the bereave-
/ ment.
5 All the noble aspirations of my lamen-
ted predecessor which found expression in
4 his life, the measures devised and sugges-
d ted during the brief administration to cor
rect abuse, and enforce economy, to ad,
e vance prosperity, and promote the general
welfare, to ensure domestic security, main.
tain friendly and honorable relations with
d the nations of the earth will be garnered
c in the hearts of the people, and it will be
my earnest endeavor to profit, and to see
that the Nation shall profit by his example
e and experience.
o Prosperity blesses our country; oul
o fiscal policy as fixed by law is wei
grounded, and generally approved. NJ
threatning issue mars our foreign inter
a ests, and the wisdom, integrity and thrift
It of our people may be trusted to continu,
It undisturbed, the present assured career o
peace, tranquility and welfare,
The gloom and anxiety which have en-
e shrOuded the country must make re
,e pose especially welcome now. No de
mand for speedy legislation has beei
heard; no adequate occasion is apparen
lie for an unusual session of Congress. Tn
;" constitution defines the functions ant
n powers of the executive as clearly as thos
of either of the other two departments O
i? government, and he most answer for tn
d. just exercise of the discretion it permits
and the performance of the duties it i'm
ID poses. Summoned to these high dutie
SO and responsibilities, and profoundly con
ht sciOus of their magnitude and gravity,
c. assume the trust imposed by the Constitu
is ton, relying for aid on Divine guidance
id and the virtue, patriotism and intelligepc
be of the American people,