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

THE PRESIDENTS INAUG URAL.
President GaIfeld's Inaugural Address is
short, straight, strong, and sharp, like Roman
sword. There is little ndornment and no
flourish about it, although graces of expression
are not wholly sacrificed to cOmpactness and
brevity. The historical review with which it
opens forms solid foundation for the reasOnngs
and suggestions which follow. Through one
hundred years of progress since the adoption OF
the Articles of Confederation, through the
asupIeme trial of the Constitution" this review
brings us to the declaration that the nation is
resOlutely facing to the 'front.' resolved to en-
"ploy its best energies in developing the great
possibilities of the FUTURE" and that the peo-
| pie, while "sacredly preserving whatever has
been gained to liberty and good government
| during the century," are now determined to
| leave behind them the questions irrevOcably
settled by the war. These the President briefly
enumerates. 1.-THE supremacy Of the Nation
and its laws should be no longer subject OF
debate" The emancipation and enfranchise-
ment of the colOred race the address treats with
| q mingled frmness and kindness of spirit
| worthy of Abraham Lincoln himself. The pas
| sage which relates to this subject is brief, but
it will be long remembered and quoted as a
powerful vndication, in the light of the
broadcast craftsmanship and the largest expert
ence, of the policy which the Republican party
has pursued.
First among the questions still to be discussed,
the President properly places the full and free
| enjoyment of equal suffrage" II is virtually
admitted, he maintains, that in many commu-
mites negro citizens are practically denied the
49, xvv.n
be controve1ted by partisans, but the Presi-
dent demonstrates its truth by quoting the
excuse everywhere given by Democrats, viz
@That in many places honest local government
ais impossible if the mass OF uneducated ne
eroes are allowed to vote" To this he replies /:
Badlocal government lie certainly a great evil which
ought to be prevented but TO violate the freedom and
sanctity OF suffrage is more than an evit s crime,
which II persisted in will destroy the Government IT.
SELF Suicide Is not remedy II, In other lands. 1t Is
high treason to compass the death OF king II should be
counted crime here to strange our sovereign
power and ste its voice. 1t has been said that unset
tied questions pity for the repose OF nations
should be said with the utmost emphasis that this ques-
ton OF suffrage will give repose nor safety to
States or Nation until each within its own jurisdiction
makes and keeps the ballot and pure by the strong
sanctions Of the law.
This statement Of the case is as strong as the
most uncompromising and stalwart Republican
could desire. What is more, it is the plain ut
terance CT the solemn conviction and deliberate
purpose of the loyal people of the North. The
sooner the South so understands it. and resolves
to put an end to that great crime against self
, government which no loyal citizen can excuse
or tolerate, the sooner sectional antagonist
, will pass away. But the President goes fur
.nckn
power for the only true remedy, universal edu
cation. To this end, he holds. "all the con
"stitutional power of the Nation and OF tn
= Estates should be exerted, with all the volun
teer forces of the people.
The President eoquently appeals to tn
country to make speedy and final settlemen
8 Of all questions springing from the war. FIT
wears hence, he urges with truth, our childre
will not be divided in their judgments concern
n ing these questions. The sons of Tories an
the sons of Patriots alike rejoice day that the
o Tories of the Revolutionary era did not prevail
o Beyond question, our sons will all rejoice to
II gether if, by wise and strong laws, every as
@ sault upon the freedom and sacIedness of tn
suffrage shall now be repulsed. The Presden
urges that the country should put an end (
| strife upon such questions, in order that it ma
20 forward to develop higher and grande
prosperity, and says:
Is 1t not possible to make truce with tim
by anticipating and accepting its inevitable verdict
Enterprises Of the highest importance to our moral
material well beng invite and offer ample scope X
the employment of bsst powers Let all our peop
leaving behind them the bAttlofelds OF dead issue
move forward and In the strength Of liberty and the
a stored UnSn win the grsndest victories Ofpeace.
IS The latter part of the address embraces
i brief statement of the objects toward wlic
4 future effort should be directed. Paper money
@ he holds. should depend for its value and cur
q srency upon its convenience in use and it
It aprompt redemption in coin at the will Of tn
y aholder, and not upon its compulsory circula
I u ton" The refund ding of the debt should prC
coed without compelling the withdrawal {
sthe National bank notes, and thus dsturbin
u the business of the country IA declaratio
Q which is in effect a hearty Hamen" to the late
t veto by President Hayes. The silver questio
b should be settled by arrangements betwee
0 the leading commercial nations which will 81
: acure the general use Of both metals" bI
: sCongress should provide that the compulsor
s coinage Of silver may not disturb our moni