The Dillon tribune., 1885-03-07
PRESIDENT CLEvElAND'S
INAUGURAL. ADDRESS

In Washington City, at precisely 1880 :
o'clock p. M, on March 4th, the head OF :
the Presidential escort procession appear
Deared, coming from the main east door OF {
the Capitol. President Arthur stepped to /,
the front Of the platform, followed by the .
President.elect, CHEF Justice Waite and
the Sergeant. at. Arms of the Senate. All
uncovered as they stood facing the crowd,
and the vast assemblage cbeered again and
again for several minutes. When the per.
sons who were to ofaiciate at the ceremo.
nies we're seated on the platform, President.
elect Cleveland began his inaugural ad.
dress.
He was clad in full black, Prince Albert
coat, high, old.fashioned standing collar,
and black rieckte. In reading he held his
left hand closed behind him, and empha-
sized his speech by gestures with his right
hand He spoke without manuscript, but
occasionally consulted small piece OF
paper bearing notes of the heads OF his
discourse. His voice was clear and reso.
nant, and he easily enunciatcd his words,
and occasionally turned about at the pauses
as if to note the effect Of his remarks. lie
spoke as follows:
Fellow Citizens: In the presence OF this
vast asse,nblage Of my coun.ry'nen am
about to supplement and seal BY the oath
which shall take the manifestation OF the
will of great and free people. In the en-
crcise of their power and right OF selfgov-
crnment they have committed to one OF
their fellow.citizens supreme and sacred
trust, and he here consecrates himself to
their service. This impressive ceremony
adds little to the solemn sense of respon-
eibility with which contemplate the duty
owe to all the people of the land. Moth.
ing can relieve me from the anxiety lest,
bv an act OF mine, their interest may suffer,
and nothing is needed to strengthen my
resolution to engage every faculty and ef-
fort in the promotion OF their welfare.
Amid party strife the peoples choice was
made, but it is, AS attendant otscasnstances
have demonstrated, new strength and
safety of government by the people. In
each succeeding year it more clearly ap-
pears that our democratic principles need
no apology. and that in its fearless and
faithless application is to be found the sur.
est guaranty OF good government, but the
best results in the operation of govern
ment wherein every citizen has a share
largely depends on the proper Limitation OF
purely partisan zeal and effort, and cor.
rect appreciation OF the time when the
heat of the partisan should be merged into
the patriotism of the citizen. To-day the
executive branch of the Government is
transferred to new keeping, but this is still
a government of all the people, and il
should be none the less an object of thei'
affectionate solicitude. At this hour the
animosities of political strife, the bitter
ness Of partisan defeat and the exultatio.
Of partisan triumph should be supplantee
BY ungrudging acquiescence in the lopu
lar will and sober, conscientious concern
tor the general welfare. Moreover, ffrou
this hour we cleerfully and honestly aban
don all sectional prejudice and distrust, ane
determine, with manly confidence in ont
another, to work out harmoniously thu
achievements Of our national destiny, w
shall deserve to realize all the benefits ou
happy form of government can bestow
On this auspicious occasion we may wei
renew our devotion to the Constitution
which, launched by the founders Of thi
republic and consecrated BY their prayer
and patriotic devotion, has for almost ;
century borne the hopes and aspirations O
great people through prosperity ant
peace, and through the shock Of foreigl
conflicts and the perils of domestic strif'
and vicissitude. BY the Father of Hi
Country onr Constitution was con,n,itte'
Tor adoption as the result Of spirit O
amity and mutual concession. In tina
same spirit it should be administered, il
order to promote the lasting welfare OF tn
country, and to secure the full measure Q
its priceless benefits to us and to those VIII
will succeed to the blessings of our ma
tional life. The large variety Of divers
and competing interests subject to Fedora
control snd persistently seeking recogni
ton of their claims need give us no fea
that 1.-THE greatest good to the greatest mum
her" will fail to be accomplished, II, in tn
halls Of the National Legislature, tha
spirit Of amity and mutual concession sha
prevail in which the Constitution had II
birth. And il this involves the surrende
or postponement Of private interests an