Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-03-09

tlOnS were applauded by those III the
crowd below who heard his address. AT
the close the oath was Immediately adj
ministered by the Chief Justice, and the
crowd broke out into renewed cheering
for the new president.
The sun broke through the clouds at
the very close of his address, and as he
was in the very act of invoking the bless
ings of Almighty God upon the country
and himself.
1t is very evident that the thoughts of
the president we're, in the midst of such
a scene AS that which surrounded him,
upon his mother and his wife, for the
first movement after receiving the oath
and kissing the bible, which he held in
his hand, was to turn and kiss his moth
er and wife. He was then congratulated
by all near him, and then escorted by
the president and committee of reception
of the senate to the carriage in waiting,
and conducted to the White House.
The return from the capitol was the
great show of all the great demonstra-
ton. There must have been $4,000
troops in the column. The marching
was as perfect as could be. The avenue
was filled for two hours with the column
of infantry, the front moving at quick
time, with scarcely a halt, and the time
of thus passing any point was a little
over two hours. There has been moth
ing approaching it here since the grand
review.
THE INA UGURAL.
FELLOW CIrIzENs-We stand to-day upon Ga
eIninence which overlooks hundred wears of
national life, century crowded with periis, but
crowded with triumphs of liberty and love.
Before continuing our onward march let us
pause on this height for q moment to strength
en- our faith and renew our hope by glance at
the pathway along which our people have trav-
eled. It 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. 1t had not conquered a place in the
family of nations. The decisive battle of the
war for independence, whose centennial ami
versary will soon be gratefully celebrated at
Yorktown, had not yet been fought. The
Colonists were struggling not only against
against the settled opinions of mankind, for
the world did not believe that the supreme au-
thOrity of government could be safely entrusted
to the guardianship of the people themselves.
We cannot over-estinate the fervent love of
liberty, the intelligent courage and saving COM
the great experiment of self govern
ment. When they found after short
time that the cOnfederacy of states
was too weak to meet the necessities of vigor-
Gus and expanding republic, 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 has indicated the wisdom of the founders
and given new hope to their descendants. I'm
der 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 the seas. Under this constitu-
ton twenty-five states have been added to the
Union, with constitutions and laws framed and
enforced by their own citizens to Sc
cure the manifold blessings of local
self-government. The jurisdiction of this
constitution now covers an area fifty times
greater than that of the original thin teen states
and a population twenty times greater than
that of 1870. The supreme trial of the consti-
tuition came at last, under the tremendous pres
sure of civil war. We ourselves are witnesses
that the Union emerged from the flood and fire
of that conflict purified and made stronger
for all beneficent purposes and good
SON0ILulcut, dHu uONs DIT Iuo ClOSo O1 lnlS l1rSU
century of growth, with the inspirations of its
history in their hearts, our people have lately
reviewed the condition of the nation, passed
Judgment upon the conduct and opinions of po-
htical parties and have registered their will con
corning the future administration of the gov
eminent. To interpret and execute their will
in accordance with the constitution is the para
mount duty of the executive.
Even from this exceedingly brief view it
is manifest that the nation is resolutely
facing to the front, resolved to employ its
best energies in developing the great posi-
whatever has been gained to liberty and good
government during the century. Our people
are determined to leave behind all those
bitter controversies concerning things which
have been irrevocably settled and the
further discussion of which can only stir up
strife and delay the onward march. The SUI
premacy of the nation and it's laws should be
no longer the subject of debate. That discus
sion which for half century threatened the
existence of the Union was c;osed at last in the
high court Of war by decree from which there
Is no appeal, that the constitution and laws
made In pursuance thereof shall continue 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
nor interfere with any of their necessary rules
of local self-government, but it does fix and
establish the permanent supremacy of the
Cl4iOA. LILO VIII VI tLc udGiOl, speaking VIII
the voice of battle and through the amended
constitution, has fulfilled the great promise of
1776 by proclaiming. elderly throughout the
land to all the inhabitants the reof."
The elevation of the negro race from slavery
to the free rights of citizenship is the most i'm
portant political change we have known since
the Adoption of the constitution of 1887 No
thoughtful man can fail to appreciate it's bene-
hcent effect upon our institutions and people.
1t has freed us from perpetual danger of war
and dissolution, it has added immensely to the
moral and industrial force of our peoples
it has liberated the. master as we'll
as the slave from q relation which
wronged and enfeebled both; it has surren-
dered to them our guardianship of the man.
hood of more than five millions of people, and
has opened to each one Of them career of
freedom and usefulness; it has given new in
spiration to the power of self-help in both races
by making labor more honorable to one and
more necessary to the other. The influence of
this force will grow greater and bear richer
fruit with coming years. No doubt the great
change has caused serious disturbances
to our southern community. This is to be
deplored though it was unavoidable, but those
tod fho CHI Al,