Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-03-08

IuJ CllSUcu NHllc plulOpIdpn vi lne
scene was being taken, from an elevated
stand n short distance to the right afront
At u :35, Senator Pcndlclon arose and
introduced General Garfield who began
his inaugural address.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
"Feliow Citizens We stand to-day
upon an cmincncc which ovcrooks n
hundred years Of national life, n century
crowded with perlls, but crowned with
triumphs Of liberty and law. Before
continuing the onward march, let us
pause on this height for moment to
strengthen our faith, and revive our
hope by glance at the pathway along
which our people have travelled, II 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 pcrpet-
ual Union. The new Republic was then
beset with danger on every hand. IL
had not conquered place In the fami-
ly of nations. The decisive battle of
war for independence whose centennial
anniversary will soon be gratefully celc-
brated ut Yorktown had not vet been
fought. The coloniSts were struggling
not only against the armies Of II great
nation, but against the settled opinions
of mankind, for the world did not then
believe that supreme authority of Gov
crnment could be safely entrusted to the
guardianship Of people themselves. We
cannot ovcr-cslimate the fcryent love of
liberty, intelligent courage and saving
common sense with which our fathers
made the grcat experiment of sclf-gov-
eminent. When they found, after
short trial, that the confederation of
States was too weak 10 meet the ncccssi-
ties of vigorous and expanded Repub-
lie, they boldly set 1t aside aud III It's
stead established tho National Union
founded directly upon the will of the
people, endowed with full powers of
self-prrscrvatlon aud with ample att
thority for the accomplishment of It's
great objects. Under this constitution
the boundaries of freedom have been en-
largcd. The foundations Of order and
peace have been strengthened, and the
growth of our people IN all better ele-
incnts of national life has indicated the
wisdom Of the founders, and given new
hope 10 their defendants. Under this
constitution our people long ago made
themselves safe against the danger from
without, and secured for their mariners
and ilag equality of rights on all the
seas. Under this constitution twenty
Ave States have been added 10 the TN
lon with the constitution and laws franz
ed and enforced nv their own citizens 10
secure the manifold blessing of self
government. The Jurisdiction Of the
constitution now covers an area fifty
times greater than that Of the original
thirteen States, and population twenty
limos greater than that Of 1850. The
supreme trial of the constitution Tame
ut last under The tremendous pressure of
civil war; We. ourselves. ARE witnesses
TINT the Union emerged from the blood
mud fire of that conflict purified aud
made stronger for all the bcnriricnt
purposes Of good government, And |
now ut the CLOSE of this first century of |
growth With Inspirations of rs history
In the hearts of our people, have mtcly |
reviewed the condition of The nation,
aud passed Judgment the conduct aud |
tho opinions of political parties, aud !
have registered thclr will concerning the
future administration of the govern |
mcnt, aud 10 interpret, and to cNccnlc /
TINT Will IN accordance with the cunsli- !
ton II the paramount duty Of the cXccu- |
tive Even from this brief review II N |
that the nation u rcsOutcly |
forcing To- the front. resolved Ia employ |
ils beat energies IN developing the great |
of the future. HuprpdlV urp-
serving whatever has been gained to
liberty and good government during The |
century. our people are determined to
leave behind them all those Utter con.
concerning things which have |
been itfcvocnbly settled, and further
discussion OF which can only slr up
strife and delay The onward mach of
the supremacy Of the milton nod ~ laws,
should be 20 longer u subject Of debate.
That discussion, which for half ccntu-
nv thfcntcd the existence of The Union,
was closed nj last IN the high court of