The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1881-03-11
rnE IxarerRAL appREss

Friday Last, who thercupon delivered
the following address
FEiLow.ClrIzENs-We stand to-
lag upon an emiaeRee which over
looks a hundred years Of national
life, century crowded with pcrils,
but crowded with iriumphs Of liberty
and lose Before ccnihnine the on.
ward march Jet US pause on this
height fora moment 10 sircntlicn olir
faith and renew our hope by q glance
at the pathway along which or pco.
pie have Travelled,
IL i nov thrce days more than a
bundled years Since the adoption Of
the first written Constitution Of the
Uniicl Aaies dc articles Of confcd.
eration and perpeioal union. The
new Republic was then besct with
danger on every hand. II had not
conquered place IL the family Of
Nations. The decisive battle Of the
war fof independents, whosc cenien-
NAL anniversary will pon bo Crate.
fully celebrated at yorktown, had
not yet hor fought. Tho eolenisls
we're struggling not only against the
armic Of Great Britain. but ngnins,
the settled opinions Of mankind, for
tho world did not believe that thes
prsme authority Of government could
be safely intfusied to the guardian.
ship u the people themselves. We
can not over estimate the icrvent love,
the intelligent courage, the saving
common sense with which our fathers
ma,k the CRED experiment Of self. |
government. tY
When they hdnd. after a short
time. thai the .Confedcracy Of States
was too weak 10 meet the necessities
Of a glorious and expanding Republic,
they bodily set il aside. and in its
stead established a National Union.
founded directly upon the viii Of the
people, endowed With powers Of self.
preservation, and With ample author.
iiy for tho accomplishment Of its
great objects. i"
Under this Constitution the boan-
daries Of frcednm were enlarged, the
foundations Of order and peace have |
been strengthened, aud the growth in
all the better elements OF National
life has vindicaied 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 apd secured for
their mariners aud fagcq quality ofriehis
on all the seas. Under lhis Consti-
tuition twenty-five States have been
added TO the Union, with constitu-
tons and laws framed and enforced
BY their own citizens TO secure the
rnan.iold blessings q local anil self |
govesnment. IINfl lillfiihl
The Jurisdiction II IRIS Constitu
ton now covers an area fifty times
greater than that Of the original
thirteen States, and a population
twenty times greater than that Of
1880. The trial Of the Constitution
came at last under dlo' tremendous
pressure Of civil war.
We ourselves are wit ncso that the
Union emerged from the blood and
Gre of that conflict, purified and made
stronger Tor all the bonefcent purpos-
es OF good government, and now at
the close Of this, the first 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 the political
parties, and have registered their will
concerning The future administration
Of the Gosernmeni. To interpret,
and execute that will in accordance
with the Constitution is the para.
mount duty u the Executive. Even
from this brief review il is manifest
that the Nation is resolutely facing to
the front. resolution 10 employ its
hest energies in developing the
great possibilities OF the future. Sa.
credly preserving whatever has been
gained to liberty and good government
during the century, our people are
determined 10 leave behind them all
those bitter controversies concerning
things which have been irrevocably
settled, further discussion Of which
can only stir up strife and delay the
onward march. The supremacy Of
the Nation and its laws should be no
longer the subject Of debate. That
discussion, which for half century
threatened the existence OF the Union,
was closed at last in the high court of
war by decree from which there is
no appeal: that the Constitution and
the laws made in pursuance thereof
shall continue to be the supreme law
Of the land, binding alike ON the
States and the people. This decree
does not disturb the autonomy Of the
Stafes. nor Interfere with any Of their