New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-05
THE ADDRESS.

i6e--a century crowded with perils, but crowded
viii the triumphs of liberty and law Before con-
unuing the onward march let us pause on this
height for moment to strengthen our faith and re-
q ecw our hope BY a glance at the pathway along
vb;eh our people have travelled.
Isss now three days more than hundred years
uace the adoption Of the first written Constitution
o he United States-tho articles Of confederation
spd perpetual union. The new Republic was then
htset with danger on every hand. 1t had not con-
auered place In the family Of nations. The de-
esive battle Of the war for independence, whose
centennial anniversary will soon be gratefully cele-
brated Of YORKTOWN, had not yet been fought. The
colcnists were struggling not only against the
armies OF great nation, but against the settled
epinions of mankind for the world did not believe
that the supreme authority OF government could be
safcy intrusted to the guardianship of the people
themselves.
We cannot overestimatc the fervept love OF lib
srty tho intelligent courage and the saving common
sense with which our fathers made the great expert
nent Of self-governnent.
When they found, after q short trial. that the
( eonfsderacy Of States was too weak to meet tho
cessiics OF vigorous and expanding Republic, they
boldly set II aside. and in its stead established
National unioa, founded directly upon the will Of
the people, endowed with future powers OF self
preservation and with ample authority for the ac-
eomplishment OF its great objects.
THE NATIONS GROWTH.
Under this Constitution the boundaries Of freedom
have been enlarged. the foundations Of order and
peece have been .engthened. and the growth in all
the better elements of National life has vindicated
the wisdom Of the founders and given new hope to
their descendants.
Under this Constitution 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 constitutions and
laws framed and enforced by their own citizens to
secure the manifold blessings Of local self govern
Rept.
The Jurisdiction OF this Constitution now covers
aaavea fty tines grsssse tias tst Of the original
thirteen States and q population twenty times |
greater than that of 1850.
The supreme trial Of the Constitution came at |
last under the tremendous pressure of civil war.
We ourselves are witnesses that the Union emerged |
from the blood and fire Of that conflict purified and
made stronger for ali the ben efcent purposes of |
good government
And now, at tho close Of this first century of |
growth, with the inspirations Of its history In their
hearts, our people have lately reviewed the condi-
ton Of the Nation passed Judgment upon the con-
duct and opinions Of political parties and have reg
istered their will concerning the future administra
cute that viii In accordance with the Constitution
10 the paramount daty of the Executive.
NO SLIPS BACKWARD.
Even from this brief review IL is manifest that the
Nation "a resolutey facing to the front, resolved TO
employ Its best energies In developing the great
possibilities Of the future. Sacredly preserving
Whatever has been gained to liberty and good gov
erBanent during the century, our peaple deter
mined TO leave behind them all those bitter contro-
versies concerning things which have been irrevoca
bly settled and the further discussion of which can
only stir M strife and delay the onward march.
The supremacy of the Nation and it's laws should
be no longer subject Of debate. That discussion
which for half century threatened the existence
Of the Union closed at last ia the high court Of
war by decree from which there Ii no appeal that
the Constitution and the laws made In pursuance
thefeof are and shall continue 10 be the supreme law
o the land, binding alike upon the States and the
people This decree does not disturb the autonomy
~ the States. Interfere with OF their neces-
ess5 roles Of local selfgovernment but il does fix
snd establish the permanent supremacy of the I
unien. II
: Tbs win Of the Nation. speaking with the voice
q hattie and through the amended Constitution, /
- falAIled the great promise of 1915. by pro- G
eaAadng Liberty throughout the land to oil the .
inhabitants thereof n
CITIZENSHIP OF THE coLoRED RACE. +
The elevation Of the negro race from slavery to
ae fsli rshts Of citizenship is the most important
senticai change we have known since the adoption
g me Consultation Of 1857. No thoughtful man !
- hii 70 appreciate its benefcent effect upon onr
s1sRutsoEs and people, IL has freed us from the Ct
yapsfual danger Of war snd dissolution. It has v
- immsussly 10 the moral and industrial forces "
- psople IL has liberated the master as well )e
- 4. Ne save from relation which wronged and en-
seeo. IL haa surrendered 20 their own guar "
s--s1 w ee manhood OF more than five millions Of |"
q s 49, hss opsned 10 each one of them o career
s,..-<sss = 40 ussfulnesx IL has given new in
n,.t,.- 49, - pswsf o. sslf-hcp In both races by III
ss...s.- ~ '1s sonofabie 10 the one and more &C
oeesssay TO the other The inuspee AZ this force hc
wm now greater and bear richer frui, with the pe
coming gears. ''u'' WIN ''' ~
deubt the great change has eaa,sd .sr,ou. d. th
s-.s- ~ our southern community. This is TO be | m
s.s'ssd though 10 was unavoidable pnt tbose ie
~ hssted the chsnge should remember fiat
- cur institutions there was M middle g,on,d tr
~ - nssroracs between slavery and eoual citizen. aI
. Insrs can b no permanent disfrancbised tn
.s-s ~ n ths United States Freedom can never I'D,
~ !. inlnsss % blessings so long ss the law or All
T ~ssx places the smallest obstacle in of
seee rAss he's already made remsrkabls ,ron.u. IT
~ naqosssicning devotion 10 the Iyo,on ,s,,s b.
nsscs ard eeutlsDess not born Of fear thsv ha ~,
Lowed the light ~ God gave them 10 ne ,,o w, w.
e~ rapidly LAYING the material foundaticusof hss
widening the circle Of intelligence. and NOR
- eVoy toe biassings that gatbar around ga,
g tndnssfious poor. They deserve ths m,
eeqzaasms1t OF eli good men. So far an.
"a ssn lawfully extend they shall I 70