The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-05


was made. but its attendant circumstances have
demonstrated anew the strength and safety OF
government by the people. In each succeeding
year it more clearly appears that our Democrat
&c principle needs no apology, and that in it's
fearless and faithful application is to be found
the surest guaranty of good government But
the best results in the operation of a govern
ment wherein every citizen has share largely
depend upon proper limitation of purely parti-
san zeal and effort and correct appreciation of
the time when the heat or the partison should be
merged into the patriotism of the citizen
To-day the executive branch of the govern
ment is transferred to new keeping; but this is
still government of all the people, and it should
be none the less an object OF their affectonate
solcitude. AT this hour the animosties of po-
litical strife, the bitterness of partisan defeat
and exultation of partisan triumph should ba
supplanted by ungrudging acquiescence to the
the general veal. Moreover, if from
this hour We cheerfully and honestly
abandon all sectional prejudice and distrust,
and determine, with manly confidence in one
another to work out harmoniously the achieve
ment of our national destiny, we shall deserve
to realize all the benefits which our happy form
OF government can bestow.
''On this auspicious occasion we may we'll re-
new the pledge of our devotion to the Constitu-
ton, which, launched by the founders of the Re-
public and consecrated by their prayers and pa
triotic devotion, has, for almost century, borne
the hopes and aspirations of q great people
through prosperity and peace, and through the
shock of foreign conflicts and the perils of domes
tic strife and vieissitudes By the Father of his
Country our Constitution was commended for
adoption as the result of spirit of amity and
mutual concession. In that same spirit it
should be administered, in order to pro-
mote the lasting welfare of the country
and to secure the full measure of its priceless
benefits to US and to those who will succeed to
the blessings of our national life. The large va
riety of diverse and competing interests subject
fn
recognition of their claims, need give rs no fear
that the greatest good to the greatest number,
will fail to be accomplished, it. in the halls Of
legislation, that spirit of anlity and mutual con-
cession shall prevail in which the Constitution
had its birth If this involves surrender or post
ponement OF private interests, and abandonment
OF local advantages, compensation will be found
In the assurance that thus the common interest
is subserved and the general welfare advanced.
In the discharge of my Official duty shall
endeavor to be guided by just and unstrained
construction of the Constitution, a careful OBJ
servance of the distinction between the powers
granted to the federal government and those re-
served to the States or to the people, and by
cautious appreciation of those functions which,
by the Constitution and laws, have been espe-
clally assigned to the executive branch of the
government But he who takes the oath to-day
to preserve protect and defend the Constitution
OF the United States only assumes the obhga-
tlon which every patriotic citizen-on the farm,
in the workshop, in the busy marts of trade,
and verywhere-should share with him. The
Constitution (which prescrbes his oath, my
countrymen, is yours. The government yon
have chosen him to administer for time is
yours; the suffrage which executes the will
of freemen is yours; the laws and the entire
scheme of our civil rule, from the town meeting
to the State capitals and the national capital is
yours Every voter, as surely as your
Chief Magistrate, under the Same high sanction,
though in u different sphere, exercises a public
trust Nor is this ALL Every citizen owes to
the country vigilant watch and close scrutiny
OF Its public servants, and a fair and reasonable
estimate of their fidelity and usefulness. Thus
is the peoples will impressed upon the whole
framework of our civil polity. municipal. State
and federal; and this is the price of our liberty
and the inspiration of our faith in the Republic.
1t is the duty of those serving the peo-
pie in public place to closely limit pub
lie expenditures to the actual needs of
the government, economically administered, be-
cause this bounds the right of government to ex-
act tributes from the earnings Of the laborer or
property OF the citizen, and because public ex-
travagance begetS extravaganza among the peo-
pie We should never be ashamed of the sim
plicity and prudential economies which are best
suited to the operation of a republican form Of
government and most compatible with the mis-
sion of the American people. Those who are
selected for q limited time to manage public
affairs are still of the people, and may do much,
by their example. to encourage consistently
with the dignity of their official functions that
plain way of life which, among their fellow
citizens, aids integrity and promotes thrift and
prosperity.
''The genius of our institutions, the needs Of
our people in their home life and the attention
which is demanded for the settlement and de-
velopment of the resources of our vast terri
tory, dictate the scrupulous avoidance
of any departure from that foreign
policy commended by the history,
1t is the policy OF. independence, favored by our
position, and defended by our known love of
justice and by our power. 1t is the policy Of
peace suitable to our interests it is the policy Of
neutrality, rejecting any share in foreign broils
and ambitions upon other continents and re-
pelling their intrusions here it is the policy of
Monroe and Washington, and Jefferson-'Peace,
commerce, and honest friendship with all
nations, entangling alliances with none,
"a due regard for the interests and prosperity
Of all the people demand that our finances shaif
be established upon such sound and sensible
basis as shall secure the safety and confidence Of
the business interests, and make the wages of
labor sure and steady and that our system of
revenue shall be so adjusted as to relieve the
people from unnecessary taxation-having due
regard to the interests Of the capital invested
and the workingmen employed in the
accumulation of surplus in the treasury to
tempt extravaganza and waste
Care for the property of the Nation and for
the needs OF future settlers requires that tho
public domain should be protected from purloin-
ing schemes and unlawful occupation.
:, The conscience OF the people demands that
the Indians within our boundaries should be
honestly treated as wards of the government,
and their education and civilization promoted,
with view to their ultimate citizenship; and
that polygamy in the Territories which 10 de.
structiye of the family relation and offensive to
the moral sense of the civilized world, shall be
repressed.
The laws should be rigidly enforced which
prohibit the immigration of servile class to
compete with American labor, with no intention
of acquiring citizenship and bringing with them
and retaining habits and customs repugnant to
our civilization.
''The people demand reform in the admins
tration of the government and the application of
business principles to public affairs As a means
to this end, civilservice reform should
be, in good faith, enforced. Our citi-
zens have the right to protection
hold their places solely as the reward of partisan