The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-03-18
cLEvELAND's INAUGURAL.
A Republican idea of the Latest Pres
dental Deliverance.

A Republican Idea of the Latest Presi-
Dental Dellverance.
President Cleveland's inaugural is a
masterpiece of art in its avoidance of
questions upon which the American
people have at any time been at issue.
1t does not allude to slavery, the war,
or emancipation except to say that the
existing rights of the freedmen as
citizens under the Constitution and its
amendments are to stand secure. If
the expression "Civil-Service reform"
has any well-defined meaning as in the
estimation OF a great many persons it
seems to have, President Cleveland
pronounces in its favor.
Apart from these glimpses Of nebu-
lous approximation to defined opinions
it is difficult to find in Mr.. Clevelands
inaugural any sentiment which would
not amount to an elaborate amplifca-
ton of the proposition that it is better to
do good things than to do bad things, and
wiser to be wise than to be foolish, and
more patriotic to love our country than
not to love it, and more profitable to do
things that ought to be done than
things that ought not. Il
1t is possible that the avoidance of
partisan issues in such document is
timely, in view Of the existing situation
Of the country. Perhaps, Republicans
ought TO thank President Cleveland for
conforming his inaugural as closely as
he has done to the models furnished by
the prevailing "speech from the
throne" of the Executive potentates
of other countries. No party name of
Democrat or Republican, and no term
strictly associated with any party issue,
appears anywhere in this almost color
less production. Nothing is said TO
disparage or humlliate the outgoing
Administration or any of those who
have held office during twenty-four
years. There is no fulsome laudation
of the alleged principles !" of the
party which has placed him in power,
nor is there any recognition of the fact
that he owes his power to one party
more than to another There is no
promise or vaunt or boast that the
views held by one line of past states
men, be it the Jeliersonian, Clintonian,
Hamiltonian, or Jacksonian, are to
prevail over those of their antagonists.
At first blush some may construe him
to have announced a preference for
those principles of "strict construc-
ton" of the Constitution which have
cut so marked figure in political dis
cussion as TO have acquired technical
sense. But, on second reading, they
will find that he prefers the terms ''just
and unstrained construction" which
is the medium between strict and lib
eral construction.
But one phrase in the document pos
sesses marked individuality. This Is
that which recommends to all officials a
"plain way OF life" rs calculated to aid
integrity and promote thrift Mr. Cleve-
land is also distinct in declaring that he
has no brilliant or aggressive foreign
policy to favor, but that his foreign pol
icy will consist in letting other nations
alone. His allusion 10 the tariff ques-
ton is not couched in the language OF
either platform. His kindred allusion
to our finances Is so general that IL
might or might not be construed as
embodying a reiteration of his letter on
the silver question. Although the Nor
mons have given him the benefit Of
their votes, he returns them no comfort
in the matter of polygamy
Altogether Mr.. Clevelands inaugural
address is polite, and avoids so many
possible modes and forms Of error into
which he might haye fallen that its
judgment and poise power Of abstinence
and Of reserve invest 1t with good deal
of executive strength and aptness
While he has not announced n policy,
the careful remuneration OF all desire TO
announce a policy becomes a sort Of
policy in itself, which is well calculated
at the outset to improve hrs position
among those who have withheld from
him their confidence. He has studied
TO avoid sensation and 10 get down to
the routine of business with as much
tact and as few words as possible. He
assails nothing, defends nothing, and
criticises nothing. Tho public will
await, therefore, the announcement OF
his Cabinet with the feeling that II will
contain probably few surprises and no
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