Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-03-08
Inauguration of Gen. Jas. A. Garfield as
President of the United States.

President of the United States.
On Friday last, Gen. Garfield was in
augurated President. The military dis
play was very imposing.
The following is the Presidents inau-
gural address -
Fe1oU Citizens We stand to-day
upon an eminence which overloOks a
hundred years of national life-a centu-
ry crowded with perils, but crowned
with 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 a 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 alliance of the new Re
public was then beset with dangers on
every hand. 1t had not conquered a
place in the family of nations. The de-
cisive battle of the war for independence
whose centennial anniversary will soon
be gratefully celebrated at Yorktown,
had not been fought.
The colonists were struggling not on
ly against armies of great nations, but
against settled opinions of mankind;
for the world did not then believe that
the supreme authority of the Govern
ment could be safely entrusted to the
guardianship of the people themselves.
We cannot overestimate the fervent
love of liberty, the intelligent courage,
and saving common sense with which
fckL 10 no m ont
of self-government. When they found,
after a short trial, that the confederacy
| of States was too weak to meet the ne
cessities of a vigorous and expanding
Republic. they boldly set it aside and
in its stead established the national
Union, founded directly upon the will
of the people. and endowed with full
powers of self-preservation, and with
ample authority for the accomplish
ment of its great objects. Under this
Constitution tine boundaries of order and
peace have been strengthened, and the
growth of our people. in all the better
elements of national life, has indicated
the wisdom of its 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 equality of
rights on all seas.
Under the Constitution twenty five
States have been added to the Union,
with constitutions and laws framed and
enforced by their own citizens to secure
the manifold blessings of local self>gov-
eminent.
The Jurisdiction of this Constitution
now covers an area fifty times greater
than that of the original limit of States,
and population twenty times greater
than that of 1880. The supreme trial of
the Constitution came at last under the
tremendous pressure of the civil war.
We, ourselves, are witnesses that the
Union emerged from the blood and fire
of that conflict purified and made
stronger for all beneficent purposes OF
good government. And now, at the
close of this first century of growth,
with inspirations of its history in their
hearts, our people have lately reviewed
the condition of the nation, passed
Judgment upon the conduct and opin-
ions of the 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 it is man
itest that the nation is resolutely facing
to the fropt, resolved to employ its best
energies in developing the great posi-
bilities of the future, sacredly preserv-
ing whatever has been gained to liberty
J and good government during the CEN
J fury.
Our people are to leave behind them
all those bitter controversies concerning
things which haye been irreyocably set
tied, and the further discussion Of
F which can only stir up strife and delay
our onward march. The supremacy OF
the nation and its laws should be NO
longer the subject of debate. and that
| the dissension which, for half a centu-
| ~, threatened the existence of the I'm
ion, was closed at Last in the high court
of war by decree from which there is
o appeal.
That Constitution and the laws made
in pursuance thereof are and shall con-
, tinue to be the supreme law of the land
binding alike upon States and people
This decree does not disturb the autOno
my of the States nor interfere with any
of their necessary rights of local self
government. But it does fix and estab.
dish the permanent supremacy of the
Union.
The will of ths nation speaking with
the voice of battle through the amended
= Constitution has fulfilled the great
promise of 1776 by proclaiming liberty
throughout the land to all the inhabi-
tants thereof.
The elevation of the negro race from
3 slavery to the full rights of citizenship
| is the most important political change
2 we have known since the adoption OF
the Constitution of 1857.
Il No thoughtful man can fail to appre-
, ciate its beDefcent effect upon orr lnsti.
: buttons and people. It has freed US
from perpetual danger of war and disso.
! luton. 1t has added immensely to the
moral anu industrial forces of our PEG
l pie. 1t has liberated masters as we'll as
slaves from station which WrongeC
and enfeebled both.
8 It has surrendered to their own guar,
g dianship manhood of more than five
= millions of people and has opened tt
each one of them career of freedom
: and usefulness. It has given new in.
spiration to the power Of ae,f- help in
both races by making labor more homo
rable to one and more necessary to the
j other. The influence of this force will
1 grow greater and bear richer fruit with
] COuluS years.
q No doubt so great a change has caused
serious disturbance to our southern
communities. This is to be deplored
= though IT was, perhaps, unavoidable
s But those who' resisted the change
should remember that uhaer or tpeti-
tutions there was no middle ground fol
t the negro race between slavery and
equal citizenship. There can be no per.
manent dIsfranchised peasantry in the
, United States. Freedom can never
r yield its fullness of blessings so long az
law or its administration places the
, smallest obstacle in the pathway of any
virtuous citizen.
: The emancipated race has already
I made remarkable progress. with Gnques
, tioning devotion to the Union, and with
, patience and gentleness not born of fear
They have folloYed light as "God gave
them to see light" Ehey are rapidly
8 laying the material foundation of self
support, widening the circle of intelli-
gence, and beginning to enjoy the bless
/ ings that gather around the homes of ar
Industrious people. They deserve the
generous encouragement of all good
men.
ID SO far as nv authOritv can laufnlI1