The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-03-04
THB INAUGURATION.
President Garfield's
Address to the
Nation.
HIS VIEWS ON THE DUTIES
OF THE EXECUTIVE.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS,

/
years of national life. crowded with perils
but crowded with triumps of liberty and
love, Before continuing our onward
march let US pause on this height for a
moment to strengthen our faith and renew
our hope.b by q glance at the pathway along
which our people have travelled-it is now
three days more than hundred years
since the adoption OF the frst written con-
stitution of the United States. the articles
of confederation and the perpetual union.
! The new republic was then beset with
danger on ever hand. 1t had not con
auered place in the family of nations.
The decisive battle of the war for inde-
pendence whose centennial anniversary
will soon be gratefully celebrated at York
town had not yet been fought, the colonists
were struggling not only against armies
of Great Britain but against the settled
opinions of mankind. for the world did not
believe that supreme authority of govern
ment could be safely entrusted to
guardianship of the people themselves
| We cannot over estimate the fervent
love of liberty. the intelligent courage and
| saving common sense with which our
fathers made the great experiment of self
government. They found after short
| time that
THE CoNFEDERACY OF STATES
was too weak to meet the necessity OF the
vigorous expanding of the republic, They
boldly set it aside and in its stead estab
lished National Union founded directly
upon the will of people. endowed with
| future powers, self presentation and with
ample authority for the accomplishment OF
its great objects. Under this constitution
the boundaries have been enlarged. the
| foundation of order and peace have been
strengthened and the growth in all better
elements Of national life has vindicated
the wisdom of the founders, and given
new hopes to their descendants,
Under this constitution our people long
ago made themselves safe against dangers
| from without and secured for their ma
rines and flag equality Of rights on all the
seas. Uader this constitution. twenty
Eve states have been added to the Union
with constitutions and laws framed and
enforced by their own citigsns. to secure
the manifold blessings of LEGAL and self
government, The jurisdiction this con-
stitution now covers is fifty times greater
than that of the original thirteen states.
and the population is twenty times great
er than that of 1880.
| THE SUPREME TRIAL
Of the constitution came at last under the
tremendous pressure of a civil war. We
ourselves are witnesses that the Union
emerged form the blood and fire of that
conflict purified and made stronger for all
the bene6cent purposes of the COVER
nment. And now at the close of this
| first century of growth with inspiration ct
its history in their hearts, our people have
reviewed the condition of the nation, pass
ed Judgment upon conduct aud 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 consti-
tuition is the paramount duty OF the exeeu-
even from this brief review it 10 manifest
that that the nation is resolutely facing to
the front resolved to employ its best ener-
gies in developing the great possibilities OF
the future, sacrediy preserving whatever
has been gained TO liberty and good gov-
ernment, during a century our people are
determined to leave behind them all these
bitter controversies concerning things
which have been irrevocable settled and
further discussion of which can only stir
up strife and delay the onward march,
We may hasten or We may retard, but we
cannot prevent the final reconciliation, Is
it not possible for US now to make a truce
its inevitable verdict. The enterprises OF
the highest Importance TO cur moral and
material we'll being invite US and offer
ample scope for the employment of our
best powers. Let all our people, leaving
behind them the
BATTLE FIELDS OF DEAD ISSUES,
move forward and in strength of liberty
and restored union, win grander
victories of peace. The prosperity
which now prevails is without
parallel in our history. The fruitful
season have done much to secure it. but
they have not done all. There is at best
ono remedy. All the constitutional power
of the nations and of the state and all
volunteer forces of The people should be
summoned to meet the danger by the
saving influence OF universal education
1t is a high privilege aud sacred duty, of
those now living to educate their successors
and fit them by intelligence and virtue.
for the inheritance which awaits for them.
In this beneficial work sections and races
should be forgotten and partisanship
should be unknown. Let our people fBd
a new meaning in the divine oracle
which declares that, "a little child shall
lead them," tor our little children will
soon eentI OF the iestiDies of the republic
/ Ny eountrymen, we Go not now differ iu
our Judgment concerning the controversies
of past gcnsratiors and fifty years hence
our children will not be divided iu their
opinion. Concerning our controversies
they will ssurely bless their fathers God
that the union was preserved-that
slavery was everthrown-and that both
races we're made equal before the law.
| The supremacy of the nation and its
laws should DO no longer a subject of
debate That discussion which,
for half century threatened
the existence of the union. was
closed at last 10 high court OF war By de
cree from which there is no appeal, that
the constitution and laws made iD pur
suance there of shall continue to be the
supreme Law of the land. birdiBg alike
upon states and people.
THE DECREE
does not disturb the autonomy OF the
states nor interfere with any OF the nec
esssry rules of local self government. but
/ il does fix and established permanent
supremacy Of the united will of.tEe nation.
speakins with the voice OF battle and
through the amended constitution. hss
fulfiIIed the great promise Of I176 By pro.