The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-09
PRESIDENT GARFIELD's INAUGUR.
AL ADDRESS,
WASHINGTON, March 4.-The following

IcN0" p'"o'te VIC stauu ly-Qay upon al
eminence which oyerlooks one hundred years
Of national life Of a country crowded with
perils, but crowned with triumphs of liberty
and love. Before continuing the onward
march let Us pause On this height for a mo-
meut to strengthen our faith and renew our
hope by a glance at the pathway along
Our people hope by a glance at the pathway
which our people have travelled. It is
now three days more than a hundred years
since the adoption of the first written consti-
tuition Of the United States-the articles Of
confederation and perpetual union. The new
republic was then beset with danger on every
hand. It had not conquered a place il the
family Of nations. The decisive battle of the
war for independence, whose centennial an
adversary will be celebrated at Yorktown,
had not been fought. The colonists were
struggling not only against the armies of
Great Britain but against the settled opinions
of mankind, for the world did not believe tie
supreme authority Of government could be
entrusted to the guardianship Of the people
themselves. We cannot overestinate the
fervent love Of liberty, the intelligent courage
and unbOunded common sense with which
our fathers made the great experiment Of
self-government. When they found, in q
short time, that the confederacy Of States
was too weak to meet the necessities Of the
vigorous and expanding republic, they boldly
set it aside and in its stead established a ma
ti0nal union founded directly upon the will of
the people, endowed with future powers Of
self-preseryation, and with ample authority
for the accomplishment Of its great objects.
Under this constitution the boundaries OF
freedom nave been enlarged, the foundations
Of order and peace have been strengthened,
and the growth in all the better clements Of
national life has INDICATED the wisdom Of
the founders "a G given new hope to their de-
~scendants. Under this constitution our pee
danger from without and secured for their
mariners and flag equality Of rights on all
seas. Under this Constitution % States have
been added to the Union, with 9 constitution
and laws framed and enforced by their own
citizens 70 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 Thir-
teen States, and a population twenty times
greater than that Of 1880. The supreme trial
Of the Constitution came at last under the tre-
mendous pressure Of civil wax. We are wit
nesses that the Union emerged from the blood
and fire Of that conflict purified and made
stronger fur all benifcent purposes Of good
government, and now at the close Of this first
century Of growth the further discussion Of
which can only stir up strife and delay the
onward march, the supremacy of the nation
and its laws should be no longer a subject Of
debate. That discussion which for half a
century threatened the existence of the Union
was closed at last in the high court Of wal by
o decree from which there is no appeal, that
the constitution and laws made in pursuance
thereof shall continue to. be the supreme law
of the land, binding alike upon States and
people. This decree does not disturb the au
tonomy Of the States nor interfere with any
of their necessary rules Of local self-govern-
ment. But it does fix and establish the per-
manent supremacy Of the Union. The will
of the nation, speaking with the voice Of bat
tie and through an amended constitution, has
fulfilled the great promise Of 1T76 by pro-
claiming liberty throughout the land to all in
hahitants thereof. The elevation OF the negro
race from slavery to full rights Of citizenship
is the most important political change we
have known since the adoption Of the consti-
tuition of 1880. No thoughtful men can fail
to appreciate with inspiration OF its histo rY
in their hearts, that our people have lately re-
viewed the condition OF the Nation, passed
its judgment upon the conduct and opinions
of political parties, and have registered their
will concerning the future administration Of
the government. To interpret and execute
their will in accordance with the constitution
is a paramount duty of the Executive. Even
from this brief review it is manifest that the
Nation is resolutely facing the front, deter
mined to employ its best energies in develop
ing the great possibilities Of the future, sa-
credly preserving whatever has been gained
to liberty and good government the last cen
fury. Our people are determined to leave
behind them all these bitter controversies con-
corning things which have been irrevocably
settled, and wronged and enfeebled both. 1t
has surrendered to their own guardianship
the manhood Of more than five million peo-
ole, and has opened to each one of them a
career Of freedom and usefulness. 1t has
given new inspiration to the power Of self
help ia both races, BY making labor more
honorable to one and more necessary to the
other. The influence Of this force will grow
greater and bear richer fruit with the coming
years. No doubt this great change has caused