National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-09-23
INAUGURAL MESSAGE
BY THE LATE PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
DAirer,d March 4, 1881.

on this height for moment 10 strengthen our
faith and renew our hope by glance al the path.
way along which our people have Travelled.
IL Is now three days more than hundred years
since the adoption Of the first written Constitution
OF the United States the Articles Of Confederation
and perpetual Union. The new Republic was then
beset with danger on every hand. II had not con-
quered place in the family Of nations. Tho de.
cisive battle or the war for Independence, whose
centennial anniversary will soon be gratefully
celebrated at Yorktown, had not yet been fought.
the Colonists were struggling not only against the
armies OF great nation, but against the settled
opinions OF mankind for the world did not then
believe that the supreme authority Of government
could be safely lntrustcd to the guardianship Of
the people themselves.
We cannot overcstmato the fervent love Of lib
erly, the intelligent courage, and the sum of COM
mon sense with which our fathers made the great
experiment Of lf.goyernment.
When they found, after a short trial, that the
conederacy OF States was too weak TO meet the
necessities of aygorous and expanding Republic,
they boldly SGT II aside and In It's stead established
National Union, founded directly upon the will
OF the people, endowed with full power of self
preservation and ample authority for the accom-
plishment ofits great object.
Under this Constitution the boundaries Of free
dom have been enlarged, the foundations OF order
and peace have been strengthened and the growth
ofour people In all the better elements OF national
life has indicated the wisdom of the founders and
given new hope to their descendants. Under this
Constitution our people long ago made themseitUs
safe against danger from 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 consti
tutlons 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
area ffy times greater than that ofthe originsl
thirteen States and population twenty timei
greater than that Of 1880
The supreme trial of the Constitution came at
last under the tremendous pressure OF civil war
We ourselves arc witnesses that the Union cinursod
from the blood and fire of that conflict pnkinod
and made stronger for all the benelcent purposes
Of good government
And now ut tho close Of this first centurr a.
growth, with the inspirations of Its history IN their
hearts, our people have lately reviewed the opndi-
tion of the Nation, passed judgment upon tMpesn-
duct and opinions of political parties and have
registered their will concerning the future admin
istration OF tho Government. To interpret and to
execute that will In accordance with the Constitu-
tlon Is the paramount duty of the Executive
Even from this brief review II Is manifest that Tho
Nation is rcsolutely facing to the 'front.' resolved u
employ its best energies in developing the great
possibilities of the future. Sacredly preserving
whatever has been gained to liberty and good
government during the century, our people are
determined to leave behind them all those bitter
controversies concerning things which have been
irrevocaby settled and the further discussion of
which can only stir up strife and delay the onward
march.
The supremacy ofthe Nation aud It's laws should
be no longer subject of debate. That discussion
which for half century threatened the existence
of the Union was closed at last in the high court
of war by decree from which there Is no appeal,
that the Constitution and the laws made In pursu-
ance thereof are and shall continue to be the s,i
preme law Of the land, binding alike upon tn,
States and the people. This decree does not dis
turb the autonomy of the States nor interfere with
any of their necessary rights of local selfgovern-
ment; but II does fix and establish the permanent
supremacy OF the Union
The will the Nation, speaking with the voice
of battle and through the amended Constitution,
has fulfilled the great promise of 1776 by proclaim
ing liberty throughout the land to all the nhab-
itants hereof"
The elevation Of the negro race from slavery to
the full rights of citizenship is the most important
political change we have known since the adop-
ton OF the Constitution of 1857. No thoughtful
man can fail 10 appreciate its benefcent effect
upon our institutions and people. 1t has freed Us
from the perpetual danger of war and dissolution
II has added immensely TO the moral and indus
trial forces OF our people. 1t has liberated the
ter as well rs the slave from a relation which
wronged and enfeebled both. 1t has surrendered
to their own guardianship the manhood of more
than five millions of people, and hns opened to
each one Of them :. career OF freedom and useful.
ness 1t has given new inspiration to the power ol
self-help In both races by making labor more hon
orable to the 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 serioul
| disturbance to our Southern communities This
| Is to be dcplored, though it was perhaps una
| vo.dablc. But those who resisted tho change
| should remember that under our institutions ther,
was no middle ground for the negro race betwo
| slavery and equal citizenship. There can be no
| permanent DISTINGUISHED peasantry in the Uniteu
| States. Freedom can never yield its fullnesS
blessings so long as the law or its administration
places the smallest obstacle in the pathway of anS
| viruous citizen.
| The emancipated race has already made ~
| markable progress, With upquestioning devotion
| to the Union, with patience and gentleness no
born of fear, they have followed the light as GOO
gave them TO soc the light" They are rapidly
| laying the material foundations of self-suppor.
| widening their circle of intelligence and begin
ming TO enjoy the blessings that gather around tn,
| homes Of the industrious poor. They deserve th
| generous encouragement OF all good men. so IA
as my authority can lawfully extend they shal
enjoy the full and equal protection of the Consti
tuition and the law.
The free enjoyment of equal suffrage is still Il
question, and frank statement Of the issue ma,
aid its solution. II Is alleged that In many com
muntles negro citizens are practically denied tn,
freedom of the ballot In so far as the truth of thi
allegation Is admitted 1t Is answered that In man
places honest local government Is impossible IL tn
mass OF uneducated negroes are allowed to vote
These are grave allegations. So far us the latter
true II is the only pallation that can be offered 70
opposing the freedom of the ballot Bad local gov
ernment is certainly great evil which ought to b
prevented; but to violate the freedom and sane
tity OF the suffrage is more than an evil II is
crime which, If persisted in, will destroy the Gov
ernment itself Suicide Is not remedy. If 4
other lands 1t be high treason to compass the dealt
of the king II shall be counted no less crime her
to strangle our sovereign power and stfc Its voice
1t has been said that unsettled questions have N
pity for the repose Of nations. II should be sal,
with the utmost emphasis that this question of I'll
suffrage will never give reposc or safety to th
States or to the Nation until each, within It's owl
Jurisdiction, makes and keeps the ballot free an
pure by the strong sanctions of the law.
But the danger which arises from ignorance II
the voter cannot be denied. 1t covers u field 70
wider than that of negro suffrage and the presen
condition of the race,
It is danger that Turks and hides In the source
and fountains ofpower in every State. We hay
no standard by which 10 measure the disaster tina
may be brought upon us by ignorance and vice /
the citizens, when Joined to corruption and frau
In the suffrage,
The voters the Union, who make and unmak
constitutions aud upon whose will hangs the des
tinies of our Government, can transmit their su
premo authority TO no successor save the comm
generation Of voters who are the sole heirs Of SOW
eregn power. If that generation comes to its In
herltance blinded by ignorance and corrupted b
vice the fall Of the Republic will be certain an
remcdlless. The census has already sounded IN
alarm In the appalling figures which mark no
dangerously high the tide OF illlteracy has rise
among our voters and their children,
10 the South this question Is Of supreme impor
ance hut the responsibility for the existence
LIZ. Al