Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1881-03-04
GENERAL NEWS.
PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
His Inaugural Message Delivered To
Day at Washington.
A Document Rich in the Promise
Ofa Satisfactory Admin
& istratiOn.

Ofa Satisfactory Admin
@ istratiOn.
Tho President's Address.
Washington, March 4-President Gar.
fold delivered the following inaugural
address,: ~ ea~
Fellow CITIzENs-We stand to-day
upon the eminence which ovellooks n
hundred years of national lifc--a country
crowded with perils, but crowded with
the triumphs Of liberty and love. Before
continuing our onward march, let us
pause on this height, for u 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 hundred years since the
adoption Of the first written constitution
of the United States-the articles of con-
federation OF q perpetual union. The
new republic was then beset with dan
gers on every hand, had not conquered Il
place in the family of nations. The de-
cisive battle oi the war for independence.
whose centennial anniversary will be
gratefully celebrated at Yorktown, had
not been fought. The colonists 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 en-
trusted to the guardianship of the people
themselves. We cannot over estimate the
fervent love of liberty, the intelligent
courage and saving common sense with
which our fathers made the great expert
ment Of self government. When they
found, in short time, that the confed-
eracy of states was too weak to meet the
republic they boldly set it aside, and in
founded directly upon the will of the
self preservation and with ample author
ity for the accomplishment OF its great
object.
Under this constitution the bounda-
ries of freedom have been enlarged, the
foundations of order and peace have been
strengthened and the growth of oil other
elements of national life has vindicated
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 secured for
their warriors and flag equality of rights
on all seas.
Under this constitution twenty-five
states have been added to the union with
constitutions and laws framed and en-
forced by their own citizens, to secure
the manifold blessings of local and self
government. The jurisdiction of this
constitution now covers over 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 at last under the tremendous pres
sure of civil war. We our
selves =, are witnesses that union
Here occurs break in the telegraphic
report of the message.--Eds.
they have followed the light as God gave
them to see the light. They are rapidly
laying material foundations of self sup
port, widening the circle of intelligence
and beginning to enjoy the blessings that
gather around the homes of industrious
poor. They deserve the generous en-.
couragement of all good men. So far as
my authority can lawfully extend, they
shall enjoy full and equal protection OF
the constitution and laws.
The free enjoyment Of equal suffrage
is still in question and frank statement
of the issue may aid its solution. 1t is
alleged that in many communities negro
citizens are practically denied the free
dom OF the ballot. In so far as the truth
of this allegation is admitted, it Is an
swered that in many places honest loca
government is impossible if the mass O
uneducated negroes are alloHed to vote
These are grave allegations. So far a:
the latter is true it is .he only pallintlor
that can be offered for opposing the free
dom of the ballot. Bad local govern
ment is certainly great evil which ough
to be prevented, but to violate the free
dom and sanctity Of suffrage is NOR,
than an evil. 1t is crime which if per
sisted in will destroy the government it
self. Suicide is not remedy. In othel
lands it would be high treason to com
pass the death of the king, and it shoule
be counted no less crime here.
But the danger which arises from
ignorance in the voter can not be denied
It comes from field far wider than that
of negro suffrage and presents condi
ton Of that race. 1t is daugel tina
Turks and hides in the corners and for
tunes Of power in every state. We hav
no standard by which to measure the dis
aster that may be brought upon us b
ignorance in citizens when it il brough
to corruption and found in suffrage. Th
voters Of the union make and unmak
the constitution and upon their wi
hangs the destiny of our government
They can transmit their supreme autho
ity to success or save the coming genera
tion OF voters who are the sole heirs {
the sovereign power of that generation
Blinded by ignorance. CORRUPTED by vic
the fall of the republic will be certai
aud remediless.
The census has already sounded til
alarm in appalling figures whic
marks how dangerOusl
high the tide of illitcracy has arise
among our voters and their children !
the south. The question is Of supren
importance, but the responsibility Il
the resistance of slavery did not rest upo
the south. The nation itself is respons
bic for.the extension OF suffrage aud
under special obligations to remove til
illiteracy which it has added to the vo
ingpopulation of the north and the sout
alike. There is but Que remely-ail I'll
constitutional power Of the natic
of states and the aid Of q
volunteers-turther discussion Of viii,
can only stif up strife and delay the o
ward march.
The supremacy Of the nation and
laws should be no longer subject of
bate. That discussion which for half
century threatened the existence Of Il
union, closed at last in the hi.
court Of war by o decree from viii
there il no appeal. The constitution al
the laws are in our charge aud will &C