St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-04
TIE DAKN OF 4 NEM EEL.

THE Nation stands silent before the cere-
monies at Washington to-day and the eyes
OF the whole country are turned toward the
national capital. 1t is an epoch in American
history. 1t has been twenty-four years since
the last Democratic president left the White
house. During all that period what an event
full volume of the eountry's history has been
written The Republican party for quarter
of q century has been in controlof all the de-
partments of the government and it has
sought to persuade the people that its su-
premacy was absolutely essential to national
existence. The eye runs over the panorama
of Republican ascendency and sees the most
gigantic struggle that the Mortified world ever
witnessed, a furious war between colossal
and courage; duel to the death between de-
termined millions, and when fought to ex-
haustion the generous victor wept in sym
patty and brotherhood over the ruined and
heroic vanquished. Then followed the orgie
of recon struction when partisanship, cruelty,
greed and robbery ruled the hour. Close in
succession came the legacies of the war
much to be proud of and great deal to be
ashamed of. Great events and mighty men
have appeared in the historic arena-some
arose to Immortality and some have dropped
into everlasting disgrace and obscurity.
This day inaugurates a change of policy as
well as a change of men. The party which
has so long been excluded from the execu-
tive department of the government will take
control. If the new regime lives rightly up
to the promises of its leaders and the expec-
tation of its friends the change will be for the
better. The Democratic party is being put
on trial. It is not the mere installation of
president that calls together the vast con-
course of people at the capital to-day and
will make this Inauguration eclipse in splen-
dor and magnitude all of its predecessors.
There is something more important than that.
1t is the beginning of a new era-the turn
ing over of a new national leaf. 1t closes
one volume Of American history and opens
a new one, and we trust better one.
1t is fortunate for the Democratic party, in
its first test of party sincerity, that it has
chosen its. best representative to commend it
to the appreciation of the country. The man
who is to be inaugurated to-day is national
man, one who while applying the best Dem
ocratic principles to the administration of
the government will hold his patriotism and
conscience above the reach of politics. Free
from fractional shackles and unem-
barrassed by pledges or obligations in
the chief magistracy of the country,
GROVER CLEVELAND will give to the
Republic the.honest and earnestand patriotic
service he has the ability and courage to rem
der. Fortunately for him and for the coun-
try he has no contact with Washington life
and its intrigues, and is not hampered with
personal and political associations. By hold
ing duty paramountin the public service he
will commend himself to the approval of all
good men of every creed and connection,
andin doing so will elevate and strengthen
the great party which honored him.
This is big day for the national Dem
ocracy and it is wonder that jubilant
Democrats are rushing to Washington this
morning to witness an event in which as
partisans as well as patriots they have an
abiding interest. And every throb of the
national pulse at the capital to-day will vi
brate through the telegraph to every part of
the country and meet response in the popu
lar bosom. 1t will be a thrilling day for the
country. For the first time in almost genera
ton there will be installed into Office, not the
president of a party, either Democratic or
Republican, but man who will be president
Of the whole United States.