The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-03-16
s:arfielea,s inaugural address,


3 hundred years of national life,
century crowded with perils, but
crowned with the triamphs of hber-
ty and law. Before continuing the
march, let US pause on this
height. for moment, to strengthen
our faith and renew our hope by
glance at the pathway along which
our people have travelled.
It is now three days more than 8
hundred years since, the adoption OF
the first written Constitution Of the
United States, 1.-The Articles Of Con-
federation and perpetual union" The
new Republic was then beset with
danger ON every hand. It had not
a place i'll the family Of
nalioas. The decisive battle Of the
war for independence, whose Gen.
sennial anniversary will soon be
gratefully celebrated at Yorktown.
had not vet been fought. The colon
lists were struggling not. only against
the armies Of great nation. but
the settled opinions Of mankind, for
the world did not then believe that
the supreme authority Of govern
Feent could be safely entrusted TO the
guardianship Of the people them
selves. ..-......
We cannot over-estinate the ter
vent love of liberty, the intelligent
courage and saving common sense
with which our fathers made the
great experiment of self-governnent.
When they found, after a short trial,
that the Confederscy of States Wss
too weak to meet the necessities OF 4
vigorous and expanding Republic,
they boldly set it aside. and, in its
stead. established National Union
founded directly upon the will of the
people, endowed with full powers of
se!f-preservation, and with ample aR-
thority for the accomplishment Of its
great objects. Under this Constitu-
ton the boundaries Of freedom have
been enlarged, the foundations OF or
der and peace have been strengthen
ed, and the growth of our people in
sill 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 Sc
cured for their mariners and flag
equality Of rights on all the seas. Cn-
der this Constitution twenty-five
States have been added to the Union.
with constitutions and laws framed
and enforced by their own citizens
to secure the manifold blessings Of
local seR-government. The jurisdic-
ton Of this Constitution now covers
an area fifty times greater than that
Of the original Thirteen States, and a
population twenty times greater than
that Of 1850. .........-. ....-
z THE CIVIL WAR.
The supreme trial OF the Censtitu-
ton came st last under the trench
doas pressure Of civil war. We our
selves are the witnesses that the Cn-
ION emerged from the blood and fire
et1st conflict purified and made
stronger for all the benefcent pur-
poses of good government, and now
ST, the close Of this first century Of
Its growth, with the inspirations of
sts history IN their hearts, our peo-
pie have lately reviewed the condi-
ton of the ration, passed Judgment
upon the conduct and opinions of po-
Raical parties; aud have registered
their will concerning the future adj
nainlstratiou of the Government. To
interpret aud execute that will, il
sccoriance with the Constitution. IS
the paramount duty of the Execu-
tive.
Even from this brief review it is
manifest that the nation is resolute-
" facing to the front, resolved to EN-
plos It's best energies in developing
the great possibilities of the future,
and sacredly preserving whatever
has been gained to liberty aud good
government during the past century.
Our people are determined to leave
behind them all those bitter controy-
ersies concerning things which have
been irreTocablv settled, and the fur
ther discussion of which can only
STIR up strife and delay the onward
march. The supremacy Of the ma
ton and It's laws should be no longer
the subject Of debate. That discus
sion which for halfa century threat
ened the existence Of the Union was
closed at last in 1he high court of
war by decree from which there is
no appeal, that the Constitution and
the laws made in pursuance thereof
are, and shall continu ne to be. the SUI
preme law Of the land. binding alike
upon States and people. This de-
cree does not disturb the autonomy
of the States, nor interfere with any
Of their necessary rights of loca! self
government Dut it does fix anG es-
tablish the permanent supremacy OF
the Cniou-
EFFECTS OF EMANCIPATION.
The will Of the nation, speaking z
with the voice Of battle and through
the amended Constitution, has full
flied the great promise OF 1776 pro-
claiming liberty throughout the land
to all Inhabitants thereof. The Gle
vatiou of the negro race from slavery
TO the full rights OF citizenship is the
most important political change We
have known since the adoption of
the Constitution Of 17S7. No thought
ful man can fail to appreciate lis
benefcent effects on our institutions
and people. It has freed US from
perpetual danger Of war and diSsoiu-
ton. It has added immensely to the
moral and industrial! forces Of our
people. It has liberated the master
rs. well as the slave from q relation
which wronged and enfeebied both.
1t has surrendered to their own
guardianship the manhood Of more
than five millions OF people, and has
opened to each one Of them 3 career
of freedom and usefulness. It has
given new inspiration 10 the power