The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-03-17
President GarfGld'S Inaugural Address.


crowded with the perils but crowned
with the triumphs of liberty and law.
before continuing our onward march, let
us pause on this height for moment
strengthen our faith and renew our hope
py glance at the pathway along which
our people have travelled.
IL Is now three days more than a hun
dred years since the adoption Of the first
written constitution of the United States
the articles Of confederation and O. per-
petual union. The new republic was
then beset with danger on every hand
1t had not conquered place in the fam
lly of nations. The decisive battle of
the war for independence, whose centen-
NAL anniversary will soon be gratefully
celebrated at Yorktown, had not vet
been fought. The colonists were strug-
CLING, not only against the armies of a
grea nation but against the settled opin-
ions OF mankind, for the world did not
| then believe that the supreme authority
OF government could be safely entrusted
to the guardianship of the people them
selves. We cannot overestimate the fer
vent love of liberty the intelligent cour-
age and the saving common sense with
which our fathers made the great expert
ment of self-government.
w hSh 'hCy dlUeE TRIAL,
that the confederation of the states was
too weak to meet the necessities of the
vigorous and expanding republic thew
boldly set it aside, aud in its stead estab-
llshed national union, founded directly
upon the will of the people, endowed
with full powers of self preservation and
with ample authority for the accomplish
ment OF its great objects. Under this
constitution the boundaries of freedom
have been enlarged, the foundations of
order and peace have been strengthened,
the growth of our 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 themselves 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
| constitutions and laws framed and en-
forced by their own citizens, to secure
the manifold blessings of local self-gov-
ernment. The Jurisdiction of this con
stltutiOn now covers an area of fifty
times greater than that of the original
thirteen states and a population Of twenty
times greater than that of 1880.
The supreme trial of the constitution
came at last under the tremendous press |
ure OF civil war. We ourselves are wit |
nesses that the union emerged from the |
blood and fire of that conflict purified |
and made stronger for all the beneficient |
purposes OF good. government, and now,
at the close of this first century of
growth, with the inspirations of it's his |
tory In their harts; our people have lately
reviewed the condition of the nation,
passed judgment upon the conduct and
opinions of the political parties, and have
registered their will concerning the fu-
ture administration of the government.
10 interpret and to execute that will. in
accordance with the constitution, is the
paramount duty of the executive.
Even from this brief review it is man.
lfest that the nation is resolutely facing
the 'front.' resolved to employ its best ener-
gles developing tn geat possibilities
or the future, sacredly preserving what
ever has been gained to liberty and good
government during the century. Our
people are determined to leave behind
them all these bitter controversies con-
cernlng things which have been irrevo
cably settled, and the further discussion
or which can only stir up strife and delav
the onward march. The supremacy Of
the nation and it's laws should be no
longer a subject of debate That dis
cusslon which for half century threat
ened the existence of the union was
closed in the high court of war bv q do.
cree from which there is no appeal. that
the constitution and the laws made in
pursuance thereof are and shall continue
10 be the supreme law of the land. band
ing alike upon states and people. This
decree does not disturb the automonv
OF the states nor interfere with anv of
thelr necessary rights of local government
but 1T does fix and establish the perma.
nent supremacy of the union,
Ihe Will OF the nation, speaking with
the vehemence of battle, AMI throurb
the amended constitution, has ful6ljed
the great promise of 1875, by proclaim
ing liberty throughout the land to al
the inhabitants thereof" The elevation
OF the negro race from slavery to the fnii
/ rig hts OF citizenship, is the most import.
ant political change we have known since
the adoption of the constitution of 1887
NO thoughtful man can fail to appreciate
us Denehclal effects upon our institutions
ana people 1t has freed us from a per
Petuai danger OF war and dissolution. It
mas ADDED immensely to the moral and
inaustflal forces OF our people. It has
liberated the master as we'll as the slavn
from relation which wronged and an.
teebled both. 1t has surrendered to their
own guardianship the manhood Of MOI
than five million of people, and has omen, %
ed to each one of them career Of frea-
dom and usefulness. It has given a new
inspiration to the power of self helm nm im
both races by making labor more bopor
able to the one and moro necessa ~ ~, -
the other. The influences of this force
will grow greater and bear richer frnit