The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-03-09
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

President Cleyeland's inaugural is wor~
thy of the best days and the best rulers
of the republic. 1t has that uncommon
merit, dear TO all, brevity. In its style
rhetorical grace is combined with logical
force. The presidents ideas are clear
cut and his principles well defined. Each
sentence contains a distinct proposition
and distinct tdth. To call attention to
what is good in it is to call attention TO
every clause ia the entire address. 1t Is
noble state paper, worthy to rank win
the noblest in our annals. Nothing could
improve the thought or the language o,
the utterance: This impressive ccre-
mony adds little to the solemn sense OF
responsibility with which / contemplate
the duty owe 10 the people of the land;
nothing can relieve me from anxiety, lest
by any act Of mine their interests may
suffer, and nothing is needed TO strength
en- my resolution to engage every faculty
and effort in the promotion Of their Wei
fare" Reminding all that although the
executive branch Of the government had
passed into new hands, the time had come
when the heat Of the partisan should be
merged in the patriotism of citizen, he
continues; But this is still the govern
ment of all the people and ii should be
none the less an object OF aiTectionate
solicitude. At this hour, the .unimOsi,
ties of political strife, the bitterness Of
partisan defeat, and the cXultation Of
partisan triumph should be supplanted by
an ungrudging acquiescence in the popu-
lar will, and sober, conscientious con-
Germ for the general veal"
As public extravaganza begets eXtrav
agance among the people. the president
enjoins prudential economies on the part
of those who administer public affairs, so
that their example may encourage plain
living, which fosters integrity and pro
notes thrift and prosperity. With the
Congo conference doubtless in mind he
urges the scrupulous avoidance of any
departure from that foreign policy com
mended by the history, the traditions and
the prosperity of our republic-pcace
commerce and honest friendship with all
nations; entangling alliances with none,
is his guiding maxim.
President Cleveland fayOrs revenue
system so adjusted as TO relieve the peo,
pie from unnecessary taxation, having a
due regard to the interests of capital in
vested and workingmen employed il
American industries and preventing the
accumulation of surplus in the treasury
to check extravaganza and waste. By
this we understand that while no duties
are to be suddenly or radically reduced Il
the ruin or injury of existing manufac.
turing industries, the interests OF me-
chanicS and men who labor must be pro,
NOTED by gradually reducing the rate OF
taxation upon what they cat wear aud Of
necessity use.
The public domain must be kept 70
actual settlers; the Indians must be cdu
Gated, civilized and ultim ately citizeniz
ed; polygamy must be suppressed; til,
importation of serVile labor must be pro.
hibited; merit, competency and business
principles must be recognized in the al
ministration Of public affairs; the freed
men must be protected in their rights an(
privileges under the constitution and it,
amendments, and The full benefits secure,
to all "of the hest form o! goyernmen
ever vouchsafed to man.
This first inaugural is compendium u
legislation that is needed most, May tn
national legislation accept it at its tru
worth. The people have already DON
this with grateful hearts.