Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-03-17
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INAUGURAL ADDRESS
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le' James; n A A. Garfield
Delivered at Washington, D. G., Fri
-. % day. March A, 1881. '75'.'-C ].

Q FELLOW CrTfzENs-We stand to-day
upon an eminencs which oVerlooks a
hundred years of National life, centu-
ny crowded with perils, but crowded
with trinmphs of liberty and love. Be
fore continuing our onward 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. 1t is now
three days more than a hundred years
since the adoption of the first written
Constitution of the United States, the
articles of confederation and perpetual
union. The new Republic was then be-
set with danger on every hand. 1t had
pot,ccnquered aplacee in the family of
nations. The decisive battle of the war
fer, Independence. whose centennial an
sisersary will soon be gratefully. celez
brated at YORKTOWN, had not beenfought.
Tie cofonists were struggling not only
against the armies of Great Britain, but
against the settled opinions of mankind,
for the world did not believe that the
supreme authority Of the Government
could be safely entrusted to the guardi-
anship of the people themselves. We
cannot overestimate the fervent love of
the intelligent courage and saving COM
mon sense with which our fathers made
the great experiment of self-goyern-
ment. When they found after a short
time that confederacy of States was
too weak to meet the necessities of the
glorious and expanding Republic, they
boldly set it aside and in its stead es-
tablished National Union, founded di-
rectly upon the will of the people, en-
dowed with future powers of self-pre-
servation and with ample authority for
the accomplishment of its great objects.
Under this Constitution the boundaries
of freedom were enlarged, the founda-
tiOns of order and peace strengthened,
and growth in all the better elements of
National life has vindicated the wis
dom 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 secured for their mariners
and flag the equality of rights on all the
seas. Under this Constitution twenty
five States have been added to the Union
with constitutions and laws, framed
and enforced by their own citizens, to
secnre the manifold blessings Of local
and self-goverument. The jurisdiction
of this constitution now covers an area
fifty times greater than those of the
original thirteen States, and the popula-
tion is twenty times greater than that
of 1910. v"-- ''''.- -
The supreme trial of the constitution
came 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 puri-
fed and made stronger for all benificent
purposes of good government, and now
at the close of this first century of
growth with the inspirations of its his
tory in their hearts, our people have
lately reviewed the condition of the Ma
tion, passed judgment upon the conduct
and opinion of political parties and have
registered their will concerning the fu-'
ture administration of the Government
To interpret and to execute that will in
accordance with the Constitution is the
paramount duty of the Executive. Even
from this brief review tits manifest that
the Nation is resolutely facing to the
front, with a resolution to employ its
best energies in developing the great
possibilities of the future, sacredly pre-
serving whatever has been gained to
liberty and good government during the
century. Our people are determined to
leave behind them all those bitter con-
troversies concerning things which have
been irrevocably settled, the further
discussion9ot which can only stir up
strife and delay its onward march. The
supremacy of the Nation and its laws
should be no longer subject of debate.
That discussion, which for half centu-
ry threatened the existence of the Union
was closed at lastin the high court of
war by q decres from which there is ne
appeal, that the Constitution and laws
made in pursuance thereof shall cOntin-
ue to be the supreme law of the land,
binding alike upon the States and the
people. This decree does not disturb
the autonomy of the States, n n inter
fere with any of their necessary rules of
local self. government, but does fix and
establish the permanent supremacy Of
the Union. -sa 't..''. .'''' z ~.
The will of the Nation. speaking with
the voice of battle, and through the
amended Constitution, has fulfilled the
great promise of, 1776 by proclaiming
liberty throughout the land. TO all the
Inhabitants thereof" ThsS5R ration of