Middletown transcript., 1881-09-23
President Arthur,s Address.

President Arthur took the oath of
office first in New York, a few hours
after the death of President Garfield,
and again in Washington, yesterday
morning. 1t was administered to him
in the Marble Room at the Capitol by
Chief-Justice Waite, in presence of the
Cabinet, Justices of the Supreme Court,
some Senators and Representatives, ex-
President Hayes, Generals Grant, Sher-
man and others, about forty in number.
After taking the oath, the President
read the following inaugural address:
"For the fourth time in the history
Of the Republic its Chief Magistrate
has been removed by death. All hearts
| are filled with grief and horror at the
hideous crime which has darkened our
| land. and the memory of the murdered
President, his protracted sufferings,
his unyielding fortitude, the example
and achievements of his life, and the
pathos of his death will forever illume
the pages of our history.
For the fourth time the officer elected
by the people and ordained by the Con-
stitution to fill vacancy so created is
called to assume the Executive Chair.
The wisdom of our fathers, foreseeing
even the most dire possibilities, made
sure that the government should never
be imperiled because of the uncertainty
of human life. Men may die, but the
| fabrics of our free institutions remain
mistaken.
No higher or more assuring proof
could exist Of the strength and per-
manence of popular government than
the fact that, though the chosen of
the people be struck down, his consti-
tuti0nal successor is peacefully in
stalled, without shock OF strain, except
the sorrow which mourns the bereave-
ment. All the noble aspirations OF my
lamented predecessor which found eX-
preston in his life, the measures de-
vised and suggested during his brief
administration to correct abuse and
force economey, to advance prosperity
and promote the general welfare, to
| insure domestic security and maintain
friendly and honorable relations with
the nations of the earth, will be gar
nered in the hearts of the people, and
it will be my earnest endeavor to profit,
and to see that the nation shall profit,
by his example and experience.
Prosperity blesses our country. Our
fiscal policy is fixed by law, is we'll
grounded and generally approved. No
threatening issue mars our foreign in
terests and the wisdom, integrity and
thrift of our people may be trusted to
continue undisturbed the present as
sured career Of peace, tranquility and
welfare. The gloom and anxiety which
have enshrOuded the country must
make repoSe especially welcome now.
No demand for speedy legislation has
been heard no adequate occasion is
apparent for an unusual session of
Congress. The Constitution defines
the functions and powers of the Execu-
tive as clearly as those of either of the
other two departments of the govern
ment, and he must answer for the just
exercise of the discretion it permits
and the performance of the duties it
imposes. Summoned to these high
duties and responsibilities and pro
foundly conscious of their magnitude
and gravity, assume the trust imposed
by the Constitution, relying for aid on
Divine guidance and the virtue, pa
triotism and intelligence Of the Ameri-
can people.