Democratic messenger., 1881-03-12
AUGURAL bDRESS
PRESIDENT GARFIELD. AT
WAsHiNGTON.


WAAHtN0EOh, March T.
Feilote Cytisens: We stand today
upon an eminence which overlooks a
hundred years Of National life-a
Sentury crowded with perils, but
crowded with the triumphs of liberty
and law. Before continuing the onward
march, let us pause on this height for a
moment to strengthen our faith and
renew our hope by glance at the path
way along which our people have
Ii Is now three days more than hun
dred years since the adoption of the
nfst written Constitution of the United
0tatea-the articles of confederation
ana perpetual union. The new Re-
public was then beset with danger on
every hand. 1t had not conquered
place IN the family of nations. The de-
casive battle of the War for Independ-
ence, whose centennial anniversary will
soon be gratefully celebrated at York
town, had not yet been fought. The
coionlsts were struggling not only
against the armies of great nation,
put against the settled opinl lons of man
KIND for the world did not believe that
the supreme authority of government
could be safely entrusted to the guard
ianship OF the people themselves,
We cannot overestimate the fervent
love Of liberty, the intelligent courage,
and the saving common sense with
winch our fathers made the great exper-
iment Of self government.
When they found, after short trial,
that the coDfederacy of States was too
weak to meet the nee sssities of a vigor-
ons and expanding Republic, they
boldly set it aside and in its stead estab-
hshed . National Union, founded di-
rectiy upon the will of the people, en-
dowed with future powers Of self-pres-
ervation and with ample authority for
the accomplishment of its great objects.
Under this Constitution, the bounda-
rles OF freedom have been enlarged, the
NOMINATIONS of order and peace have
been strengthened, and the growth in
the better elements of National life
- vindicated the wisdom of the found
and given new hope to their de-
ndants.
Under this Constitution our people
6 ago made themselves safe against
without, and secured for
-tiners and flag equality of right
all the seas.
Jnder this Constitution twenty. five
ties have been added to the Union,
IA Constitutions and laws framed and
prced by their own citizens to secure
manifold blessings of local self-gov-
aent.
ne jurisdiction of this Constitution
covers an area fifty times greater
that OF the original thirteen States,
population twenty times greater
that of 1850.
= supreme trial of the Constitution
me at last under the tremendous
pressure OF civil war. We, ourselves.
are witnesses that the Union emerged
from the blood and fire of that conflict
purified and made stronger for all the
benencentpurposes of good government.
And now, at the close of this first
ssury Of growth, with the inspirations
OF lts history In their hearts our people
have lately reviewed the condition OF
the nation, passed Judgment upon the
\ conduct and opinions of political par
Aties and have registered their will con-
leernlng the future administration of the
faovernment. To interpret and to ex-
ecute that will in accordance with the
Constitution is the paramount duty of
the Executive.
Even from this brief review il is man.
Iest that the nation isresolutely facing
70 the front, resolved to employ its best
Rsrgles IN developing the great possi-
ties OF the future sacredly preserv-
ng whatever has been gained to liberty
nd good government during the CEN
lry, our people are determined to leave
hlnd them all>those bitter controver-
es-eonGern1Ig things which have been
revocably settled, and the future dis
ssion of which can only stir up strife
delay the onward march
The supremacy of the nation and its
laws should be no longer q subject of
debate. That discussion, which for
hsN century threatened the existence
pc Union, was closed at last in the
court of war by decree from
b there j. no appeal; that the Con-
on and the laws made in pursu-
thereof are and shall continue to
supreme law of the land, bind
Ike upon the States and the peo-
This decree does not disturb the
omy OF the States nor interfere
my OF their necessary rules of local
vernment; but it does fix and
h the permanent supremacy of
on.
ii Of the nation speaking with
e Of battle and through the
Constitution has fulfilled the
pmise of 1776 by proclaiming
sthroughout the land to all the
lts thereof"
ovation of the negro race from
the full rights of citizenship
: important political change
Known since the adoption of
iution of 1887. No thought
fail to appreciate its benefi-
upon our institutions and
sas freed us from the per-
Of war and dissolution.
immensely to the moral
orces of our people. 1t
ne master as well as the
relation which wronged
10Th. 1t has surrendered
ardiauship the manhood
l,000,00 of people, and
sch one of them a career
usefulness. 1t has given
to the power of self
ices by making labor
20 the one and more
Der. The influence
ow greater aud bear
coming wears