Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-03-05


merged with it and paused in the retunda, a
dense, confused mass of Senators, Repre-
fentatives, diplomats and citizens, without
much regard to precedence. On reaching the
main entrance leading from the rotunda to
the platform the pressure was relieved, and
the Presidential party was enabled to reach
the front.
THE INAUGURATION.
At half past u the President reached his
place at the front of the platform, and took
a seat with Chief Justice Waite upon his
right and ex-President Hayes upon his left,
with Senators Pendleton, Anthony and Bay
ard, while immediately behind sat his mother,
Mrs. Garfield, Mrs. Hayes and Vice-Presi-
dent Arthur.
THE ADDRESS.
At12:95 Senator Pendleton arose ard in
troduced General Garfield. who delivered his
inaugural address, as follows:
Fellow citizens We stand to-day upon an emf
nenee which overlooks hundred years of ma
tional life-a century crowded with perils but
crowded with the triumphs of liberty and love-
Before continuing onward march let p use
on this hight for moment, to strengthen faith
and renew our hope by glance at the pathway
along which our people have travelled. 1t 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
perpetual union.
THE NEW REPUBLIC
Was then beset with danger on every hand had not
| -
decisive battle of the war for Independence whose
centennial anniversary will be gratefully cele
| brated at Yorktown, had not been fought
The Uolonists struggling not only against the
armies of Great Britain but against the settled
opinions of mankind for the world did not believe
that supreme authority could be safely intrusted to
the guardianship OF the people themselves We
cannot overestinate the fervent love of liberty
the intelligent courage and common sense with
which fathers made the great experiment of
selfgovernment. When they found in short time
that the Confederacy of States weak to meet
the necessities of Wig 2rous and expanding Re-
public they boldly set it aside, and in its stead
established a National Union, founded directly
| upon the will of the people, endowed with future
| powers of self preservation, and with ample
authority for the accomplishment of its great object
Under this Constitution the boundaries of freedom
have been enlarged, the foundations of order and
peace have been strengthened and the growth in all
the better elements OF national life have vindicated
the wisdom of the founders, aud 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 the flag equatylof 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 citizens to
the manifold blessings of local and self government.
The Jurisdiction of this Constitution now covers an
are fifty times greater than that of the original
thirteen States, and population twenty times
greater than that of 1880
THE SUPREME TRIAL OF THE CONSTITUTION
Came last under the tremendous pressure of civil
war. We ourselves witnesses that the Union
emerged from the blood and fire of that conflict
purified and made stronger for all the benefcent
purposes of good government, and now, at the close
OF this first ceuture our grow t,, with the inspi
ration of its history in their hearts, peOple have
lately reviewed the condition of the nation passed
Judgment upon the conduct and opinions OF politi-
cal parties ana have registered their viii concern
ing the future administration OF the Government.
To interpret and Execute their will in
cordance with the Constitution is the para
mount duty OF the Executive. Even from
this brief review it is manifest that the
nation is resolutely facing to the front,
resolved 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 these Bit
ter controversies concerning things which have been
irrevocaby settled, and the further discussion of
which can only stir up strife and delay our onward
march. The supremacy OF the nation and Its laws
should be longer the subject of debate. That
discussion, which for half century threatened the
existence OF the Union was closed at last in the
high court Of war by decree frem which there is
no appeal. The Constitution and laws made in pUr-
suance thereof shall continue to be the supreme
law of the land binding alike upon States and the
people. This decree does not disturb the autonomy
OF the States nor interfere with any of their neces
sary rules Of local self government but it does fix
and establish the permanent supremacy Of the
Union The viii Of the nation, speaking with the
voice OF battle, and through amended Constitu-
tion has fulfilled the great progress OF I776 by pro
claiming Liberty throughout the land 10 all the in
/ haBitants thereof"
THE ELEVATION OF THE NEGRO RACE
From slavery to the fun rights of citizenship is the
most important political change we have known
since the adoption of the Constitution OF 1857. No
thoughtful man can fail to appreciate its benefcent
/ effect upon our institutions and people. 1t has
freed US from the perpetual danger of war and dis
. "a IL, /, T.. III.
industrial forces Of our people; it has liberated the
master as well as the slave from relations which
wrongad and enfeebled both; 1t has surrendered
to their own guardianship the manhood OF more
than 5,0oO 600 Of people, and has opened to each
one OF them career of freedom and usefulness it
has given inspiration to the power OF selfhelp
in both races, by max NJ labor more honorable to
one and more necessary to the other. The influence
OF this force viii grow greater and bear richer fruit
with coming years. Nc doubt the great change has
caused serious disturbance to our Southern commu.
nifty This is to bedeplored though it was unavoida-
BILE; but those who resisted the change should re-
member that under our Constitution there is no
middle ground for the negro race between slavery
! and equal citizenship. There can be no permanent
disfranchsed peasautry in the United States Free
dom can never yield It's funess Of blessing so long
as the law or its administration places
the smallest obstacle in the pathway OF
any yirtuous citizens. The emancpated
race has already made remarkable progress.
With unques ioning devotion to she Union, with
patience and genteaess not born Of fear, they have
followed the light as God gave them to see the light
They are rapidly laying the material foundations Of
seisuppOrt, widening the circle of intelligence and
beginning to enjoy the blessings that gather around
i the homes OF the industrious poor. They deserve
/ the generous encouragement of all good men. So
far as my authority eau lawfully extend, they shall
enjoy the fall and equal protection of the Gonstitu
tion and laws The Tree enjoyment of equal suffrage
is still in question. and frank statement Of the
issue may aid its solution. It is alleged .hat in
many communities negro citizens are practically