Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-03-08
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
PRESIDENT GARFIELD MAKES
KNOWN HIS VIEWS TO
THE COUNTRY
The Results Of the Wa, the Southern
lQuestioa, Popular Suffrage. Public
Education, Agriculture and
Commerce and Inter-
Ocean Transit.
Polygamy and other Subjects Brief
ly Commented on.

WASHINGTON, March 4.-The follow
ing is the inaugural address of President
Garfield, delivered at the Capitol to-
day:
Fello,c- Citizess-We stand to-day upon
an eminence which overlooks one hun
bred years of National life: a century
crowded with perils, but crowded with
triumphs of liberty and law. Before
continuing the onward march, let us
pause on this height for moment TO
strengthen our faith and renew our hope
by glance at the pathway along which
our people have travelled. 1t is now
three days more than a 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 be-
set with danger on every hand. 1t had
not conquered q place in the family of
nations. The decisive battle of the war
for independence, whose centennial an
niversary will soon be gratefully cele
brateG at Yorktown, had not yet been
fought. The colonists we're struggling,
not only against the armies of great
nation, but against tho settled opinions
of mankind, for tho world did not then
believe that the supreme authority of
government could be safely entrusted to
the guardianship of the people them
selves, We cannot overestimate the
fervent love of liberty, intelligent cour-
age and saving common sense
with which orr fathers make IKE
great experiment Of self-goyern-
ment, when they would, after
short trial, find that the confedera-
ton of States was too weak to meet the
necessities Of the vigorous and expand
ing republic, they boldly set it aside,
and in its stead blish,national union,
founded directly upon the will of the
people, endowed with full powers ofself-
preservation and with ample authority
for its accomplishment of its great OBJ
jects.
Under this constitution the bOunda-
ries of freedom have been enlarged, the
foundations of order and peace have been
strengthened and the growth of our
people, in all the better elements of ma
tiOnal life, has indicated the wisdom of
the founder 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 the seas; under
! this constitution twenty-five States have
| been added to the Union. with cOnstitu-
tons and laws framed and enforced by
| their own citizens, to secure the mani
fold blessings of local self-government.
The jurisdiction Of this constitution now
covers an area fifty times greater than
that Of the original thirteen States, and
q population twenty times greater than
that of 1850.
TIE WAR AND IT'S RESULTS.
The Supreme trial Of the constitution
came at last under the tremendous pres
sure of civil war. We ourselves are wit
neSSes that the Union emerged from the
blood and fire of that conflict purified
and made stronger for all the beneticent
purposes of good government, and now
ut the close ofthis first century of growth,
with the inspirations of it's history in
their hearts, our people have lately re-
viewed the condition of the nation,
passed Judgment upon the conduct and
opinions OF political parties, and have
registered their will concerning the in,
ture administration Of the government.
To interpret and to execute that will, il
accordance with the constitution, is the
paramount duty Of the executive.
Even from this brief review it is mani
fest that the nation is resolutely facing
front, resolved to employ its best ener
| gies in developing the great possibilities
of the future, sacredly preserving what
ever has been gained to liberty and gooc
government during the century.
Our people are determined to leaA'
behind them all chose bitter controver
sizes concerning things which have beef
irrsvocsbly settled, and further discus