Morning journal and courier., 1881-03-05
Saturday Morning, March 5, 1881.
THE IYaUGURAI. anDREss

THE ADDRESS,.
 President Garfeld's inaugural address is
 not long, but'there is a good deal in it. Those
 who read it will feel that we have for Presi-
 dent man who thoroughly understands the
 great questions before the country, and is
 not lacking in strength to stand by the prin-
 ciples he lays down.
 After referring to the trials the people of
 the United States have passed through dur
 ing the last one hundred years and the tri-
 umphs they have won, the Presidentsdeclares
 that the supremacy of the Nation and it's
 laws should no longer be g subject of debate.
 The permanent supremacy of the Union was
 fixed and established by decree in the high
 court of war, from which decree there is no
 appeal
 He next discusses the negro suffrage ques-
 tion in avery incisfye and clear way. He believes crfat the elevation of the negro race from slavery to the full rights of citizenship has had benefcent effect upon our insti- tutions and the people, and that it will bear richer fruit with the coming years. Con- corning the disturbance caused in the South by the change he says: 'sThis is to be de- plored, though it was unavoidable But those who resisted the change should remem- Der that under our institutions there was no middle ground for the negro race between slavery and equal citizenship. There can be no permanent disfranchised peasantry in the fullness of blessings so long as the law or it's administration places the smallest obstacle in the pathway of any virtuous citizen" And he declares that while the bad local govern ment which the southerners put forward as an excuse for depriving negroes of their right to vote is great evil, the violation of the freedom and sanctity of the suffrage is more than an evil. It is a crime, which, if persisted in, will destroy the government itself" In this connection he refers to the danger which arises from ignorance in the voter, which !" covers g field wider than that of negro suffrage and the present condition of that race" 1" and declares that all the con- stitutional power of the nation and of the States and all the volunteer forces of the people should be summoned to meet this danger, by the saving influence of universal education
 President Garfeld's utterances on the financial question are just what might be ex- pected from one who has stood so nobly for honest money and the credit of the govern ment. He believes in the use of both gold and silver for money, and recommends such an adjustment that the purchasing power of every coined dollar will be exactly equal to it's debt paying power in all the markets of the world. He is of the opinion that the ! present issue of United States notes should depend for it's value and currency upon it's l in use and it's prompt redemp- | tion in coin at the will of the holder and not 1 upon it's compulsory circulation, and he does l not favor any refunding scheme that will l compel the withdrawal of the national bank | notes and thus disturb the business of the | country.
 The Mormon question is handled without l gloves, and this part of the address will be | approved by the people. He points | out that the Mormon church not only offends | the moral sense of mankind by sanctioning l polygamy, but prevents the administration of | justice through the ordinary instrumentality l of law. In his judgment it is the duty of l Congress. while respecting to the uttermost | the conscientious convictions and religious scruples of our citizens, to prohibit within | it's jurisdiction all criminal practices | of that class which destroy the l family relations and endanger social order | And he lays down the broad principle that | no ecclesiastical organization can be safely | permitted to usurp in the smallest degree l the functions and powers of the national | government If during President Garfeld's | administration the deathblow of polygamy | is struck, it will be an achievement which l will entitle him and his advisers to the lasting gratitude of the people.
 The civil service reformers will be pleased | with what the President says concerning the | need of better regulation of the civil ser vice. He intends at the proper time to ask Congress to fix the tenure of the minor of- fees of the several executive departments | and prescribe the grounds upon which re- movals shall be made during the terms for | which the incumbents have been appointed.
 These are the main points of an address which is strong, earnest and impressive, and | which is animated by the truest and best | American spirit. It will make most favor able impression.