Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1881-03-05
sAEFTELD's Is AUsi . nae.
The Address which He Delivered
Yesterday I'm Assuming the Pres
identlal CHAIR.


Gartield's inaugural address is as fol-
lovs:-
Fellow Citizens
| We stand to-day upon an emins ee
which oveTlooks hundred years OF
national lift--a century crowded with
perils, bat crowned with the tTiumEhs
lof liberty and law. Before continuing
the onward march, let us pause at this
height for q moment to strengthen our
faith and renew our hope BY glance
at the pathway along which our peo-
pie have travelled.
/, is nov three days more than q
hundred years since the adoption Of
the first written Constitution of the
United States--the articles Of eonfed-
leration and perpetual union. The new
lrepu bile was thus beset with danger
onlevery hand. 1t had not conquered
a place in the family OF nations. The
decisive battle of the War Of indepsn.
ldence, whose centennial anniversary
will soon be gratefully celebrated at
yorktown, had not yes been fought.
The oclonists were struggling not
only against the armies Of q great ma
tion, bat sgsinst the gettled opinions
of mankind; for the world did not then
believe that the supreme authority Of
government could be safely entrusted
to the guardianship ofthe people them
selves.
, We cannot overeBtimats the feryent
leTs Of liberty, the intelligent courage,
and the saving common sense with
which our fathers made the great ex
pertinent OF self-govsrnment.
When they found, after a short trial
that the COME ieracy OF States was too
weak to meet the necessity OF vigor'
ous and expanding republic, they bold
ly set il aside, and, in its stead, esta-
blished national union, founded d.
rectly upon the whole Of the people,
endowed with full powers OF self-pres-
ervation, and with ample authority for
the accomplishment Of other great Oh.
jeots.
Under this Constitrtio boundaries
| OF freedom have been enlarged, the
foundations OF order and peace have
been strengthened, and the growth Of
our people In all the better elements OF
national life has vindicated the wisdom
Of the founders, and given new hope V
..heir descendants.
Under the Constitution the psopId
long ago made themselves safe from
danger without, and secured for their
mariners and flag equality Of rights on
all the seas.
Under this Constitution twenty five
States have been added to the Union
with Constitutions and laws framed aud
enforced 10y their own citizens to Secure
the manifold blessings of local self gov
eminent.
The Jurisdiction Of their Constitu-
lion now covers All area city times
greater than that of the original thir-
teen States and population twenty
tim4s greater than that Of the year Of
1880.
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 beneacent purposes
of good government.
And now, at The close Of this frst
century 0! growth, with the inspiration
of its history in their hearts, our pa
pie have lately reviewed the condition
Of the naticn, passed Judgment upon
the conduct and opinions of poiitics
parties, and have registered their will
the future administration
of the Government. To interpret and
execute that will in accordance With
the Constitution is the paramount! duty
Of the Executive.
Even from this brief review it Is
manifest that the nation is resolutely
facing 10 the front, resolved to employ
Its best energies in developing the
great possibilities of the future.
Saoredly preserving whatever has
been gained to liberty and good gov
during the century, our people
.re determined to leave behind them |
III the bitter controversies concerning /
hiugs which have been irrevocably (
ettled, and the further discussion OF
which can only stir up strife and delay G
he onward march. 10
THE SUPREMACY OF rus NATION 8
md its laws should be no longer sub /
cot OF debate. That discussion which I
or halt . century threatened the exis- I
enes Of the Union was closed at last Z
n the high court OF war, by q decree
rom which there is no appeal, that u
he Constitution and laws made in
pursuance thereof are and shall con- h
inue to be the supreme law fthe land @
'inding alike upon the States and I,
he people. This decree does not dis ii
urb the autonomy OF the States nor d
Interfere with any OF their necessary
ights OF local sslf-government, bat it I,
oes fix and establish she permanent i,
uprsuaey Of the Union. q
The will Of the nation speaking with
he voice OF battle and through the a
nended Cor stitution has fulfilled the 4
fest Pfomlee OF 100 by prOclaltnlng a
berty throughout the land TO all the a
mia uitants thersof.
THE ELEVATION oF THE EBoRN RACE
'om slavery to the full rights Of citi. il
enship is the most important political Y
hange we have known since the adop- 9,
on of the Constitution Mist. No T
man Gao fail to appreciate a
g benefoeut effect upon our institu- g.
ions and people. II his freed us from i
ae perpetual danger Of war and disso- q
alton. W
1t has added immensely to the moral
nd individual forces Of our people. 1t ii
as liberated the master as we'll as the q
ave from g. relation which wYonged fl
nd enteebled both. 1t has surrender fl
l to their own guardianship the man. ri
ood OF more than 5000, 900 people, tv