The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-03-07
CLBvELAND'S INAUGURATION.
Washington's Biggest Day--One Hun
dred and Fifty Thousand Visitors
A Grand and Imposing Pageant
Charming Weather-The In
auguration Address &c

fresldent Cievelands inauguration in Wash
ington on Wednesday, March 4th, was the grand.
est affair of the kind ever seen at the Nations
Capital. The city literally crammed with
people from every section of the Union, and it is
estimated that upwards Of one hundred thousand
visitors participated in the ceremonies, either as
active participants or interested lockers on The
weather was exceptionally fine and this added an
additional charm to the pleasures of the occasion.
Nothing occurred to interfere with the arrange
ments, which appeared to be as nearly perfect as
it was possible to make them, and everything
passed decently and in order, which is saying a
great deal considering the. dense crowds which
filled the city, and whose enthusiasm appeared to
be boundless. The grand parade was magnif-
cent affair, made up of military regiments and
companies from many states and scores of civic
associations and clubs from almost every city in
the broad land. There were upwards of $4,000
men in line who, with their brilliant uniforms,
nodding plumes, waving banners and soul-inspir-
ing music from scores of bands made up a scene
rarely to DO met with. 1t was indeed a gala day
in Washington and the whole country has reason
to be proud of the grandeur of the occasion.
Mr.. Cleveland, accompanied by President Ar
thur, seated in magnificent carriage, headed
the procession from the White House to the Capt.
toll, where the Inauguration ceremonies took place.
These were, as usual, of very impressive nature
and were witnessed by thousands upon thousands
of people, who crowded the open space in front of
of the east porch of the Capitol in one solid mass
After delivering his inaugural address, which
cupied about twenty minutes, Mr.. Cleveland turn
ed to Chief Justice Waite, of the Supreme Court
of the U. S., and took the oath Of office. lie spoke
as follows:
Fellou-c itixens-In the presence of this vast
assemblage of my countrymen, about to
supplement and seal by the oath which l shall
take the manifestation of the will of great and
free people. In the exercise of their power and
right of self government, they have committed to
one of their fellow-c citizens supreme trust, and
he here consecrates himself to their service.
This impressive ceremony adds little to the SOL
emn sense of responsibility with which I contem-
plate the duty 1 owe to all 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 strengthen my resolution to engage
every faculty and effort in the promotion of their
welfare.
Amid the din of party strife the peoples choice
was made; but its attendant circumstances have
demonstrated anew the strength and safety of a
government by the people. In each succeeding
year it more clearly appears that our democratic
principle needs no apology, and that in its fear
less and faithful application is to be found the
surest guaranty of good government.
But the best results In the operation of gov
ernment wherein every citizen has share, largely
depends upon proper limitation of purely parti-
san zeal and effort, and correct appreciation of
the time when the heat of the partisan should be
merged in the patriotism of the citizen.
To-day the executive branch of the government
is transferred to new keeping. But this is still
the government of all the people, and it should be
none the less an object of afectionate solictude.
At this hour, the animosites of political strife,
the bitterness of partisan defeat and the exulta-
ton of partisan triumph should be supplanted by
an ungrudging acquiescence in the popular will
and sober, conscientious concern for the general
veal Moreover, if, from this hour we cheerfully
and honestly abandon all sectional prejudice and
distrust, aud determine, with manly confidence in
one another, to work out tremendously the
achievements of our national destiny, we shall
deserve to realize all the benefits which our happy
form Of government can bestow.
On this suspicious occasion we may we'll renew
the pledge of our devotion to the constitution,
which, launched by the founders of the republic
and consecrated by their prayers and patriotic de-
votion, has for almost century borne the hopes
and the aspirations of great people through pros
perity and peace, and through the perils of do
nestle strife and vicissitudes.
By the Father of his Country Constitution
was commended for adoption as "the result of a
spirit Of amity and mutual concession" In that
same spirit it should be administered in order to
promote 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 bless
ings of our national life. The large variety of
diverse and competing interests subject to federal
h. &c
their claims, need give us no fear that "the
greatest good to the greatest number will fail to
be accomplished if, in the halls Of national legis
lation that spirit of amity and mutual concession
shall prevail in which the constitution had its
birth. If this involves the surrender or postpone
ment of private interests and the 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 en-
deaVor to he guided by just and unstrained con-
struction of the Constitution. q careful observ
ance of the distinction between the powers grant
ed to the fedora! government and those reserved
to the states to the people, and by cautious
appreciation of those functions which, by the
Constitution and laws, have been especially as
signed to the executive branch of the govern
ment.
But he who tahes the oath to-day to preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution OF the United
States only assumes the solemn obligation which
every patriotic ctizen-on the farm, in the work.
shop, in the busy marts of trade and everywhere
should share with him. The Constitution, which
prescribes his oath, my countrymen; the govern
ment you have chosen him to administer for a
time is yours; the suffrage which executes the
will of freemen is yours; the laws and the entire
scheme Of Cur civil rule, from the town meeting
to the state oapitols and the national capitol is
yours Your every voter, as surely as your chief
10 n,Aa fha mr. trh thnnph
in different sphere, exercises public trust.
Nor is this all. Every citizen owes to the country
a 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 frame work of our
civil polity-muncipal, state and federal-and
this is the price Of our liberty and the inspiration
of our faith in the republic.
It is the duty of those serving tho people in
public place to closely limit public expenditures
to the actual needs of the government, econom-
icaly administered, because this bounds the right
of the government to exact tribute from the earn
ings of labor or the property of the citizen, and
because public extravaganza begets extravaganza
among the people. We should never be ashamed
of the simplicity and prudential economies, which
are best suited to the operation of Republican
form of government, and most compatible with
the mission of the American. Those who are
selected for limited time to manage public affairs
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 or institutions, the needs of our
people in their home life, and the attention which
is demanded for the settlement and development
of the resources of vast territory, dictate the
scrupulous avoidance of any departure from that
foreign policy commended by the history, the ira
dtions and the prosperity Of our republic. 1t is
the policy of independence, favored by our posi-
ton and defended by our known love of justice
and by our power. 1t is the policy of peace,
suitable to our interests. 1t is the policy Of
trality, rejecting any share in foreign broils and
ambitions upon other continents, and repelling
their intrusion here. lis the policy Of Monroe and
of Washington and Jeherson-"Peace, commerce
and honest friendship with all nations, entang-
ling alliance with none." A due regard for the
interests and prosperity of all the people demand
that our finances shall be established upon such
sound aud sensible basis as shall secure the
safety and confidence of business interests, and
make the wage of labor and steady; and
that our system of revenue shall be so adjusted
IN relieve the neOne from unnecessary taxation.