The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-03-06
THE NEW REGIME.

OIL the Unlteu States tooh
place with all the pre-announced elabor-
alton. The proceedings passed of
and Democrats in assembled
shouted the shouts of glad
dened hearts. Every State in the Union
was numerously represe nted, no small
fraction of these expecting reward for
their loyalty when the civil service re-
wise begins. The procession, an i'm
mense one, escorted the two dignitaries
to the White House, where each took
upon himself the oft administered oath.
Militar, parade was one of the principal
features of the occasion. At night, q
ball of unexcelled brilliancy was given.
and the occasion wound up with a dis
play of fire works.
Below we give full text of Mr.. Cleve-
lands inaugural address. 1t is brief
beyond expectancy, is non-committal
throughout, and its tone is of the same
hidden nature as was his letter Of accept
ance. 1t bears no encouragement to
political adherents, nor does it map out
any course whatever for the new ad-
ministration, and the public are still at
tempting to solve the old mystery, as to
whether or not he has any decided con-
victions on national topics.
Fellow citizens: In the presence OF
this vast assemblage, my countrymen, i
am about to support and seal by. the
oath which shall take, the manifesto.
ton of the will of great and free peo.
ple. In the exercise of their power and
right OF self-government they have COM
mitted To one of their fellow citizens q
supreme aud sacred trust and he here
consecrates himself to their services
This impressive ceremony adds little to
the solemn sense of responsibility with
which contemplate the duty due al
the people of this land. Nothing can re-
lieye me from anxiety lest by any act Of
mine their interest may suffer and moth
ing is needed to strengthen my resolu'
ton 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 cir.
cumftances demonstrated new strength
and safety of government by the people
In each succeeding year 1t more clearly
appears that our Democratic principles
need no apology, and that in its fearless
and faithful application is to be found
the surest guarantee of good govern
ment But the best results in the oper-
alton of government wherein every
citizen has share, largely depend upon
the proper limitation of purely partisan
zeal and effort and a correct apprecia-
ton of the time when the heat of the
partisan should be merged in the patriot
ism of the citizen. To-day the execu-
tive branch of the government is trans
ferred TO new keeping, but this is still a
government of ali the people and il
should be none tie less an object oftheir
affectionate solicitude. AT this hour the
animosities of political strife, the bitter
ness of partisan defeat and the eXulta-
tation OF party triumph should be sup
planted by ungrudglng acquiescence in
the popular will and sober, cOnscienti-
GUS concern for the general veal. More
over, if from this hour we cheeriully
and honestly abandon all sectional pre-
judices and distrust, and determine,
with manly confidence in one another,
to work out tremendously the achieve
ments of our national destiny, We shall
deserve TO realize all benefits which our
happy form Of government can bestow
On this suspicious occasion we may well
renew the pledge of our devotion TO the
c constitution, which, launched by the
founders of the Republic, and consecrat-
ed by their prayers and patr. otto devo-
ton, has for almost century borne the
hopes and aspirations OF this great peo-
pie through prosperity and peace, and
through the shock Of foreign conflicts
and the perils of domestic strife and
By the Father of his
Country our constitution was commend
ed for adoption as 1.-THE result of a spirit
of amity and mutual concession" In
that same spirit it should be administer
ed in order to promote the lasting well
fare of the country, and to secure the
full measure of its priceless benefits to
us and to those who will succeed to the
blessings of our national life. The large
variety of diverse and competing inter-
ests subject to federal control, persistent
" seeking the recognition of their claims
need give us no fear that "the greatest
good to the greatest number" will fail to
be accomplished, if, in the hall of ma
.ional legislation that spirit of amity and
mutual concession shall prevail in which
The constitution had Its birth. If this
involves the surrender or postponement
Of private interests and the abandone-
ment of local advantages compensations
will be in the assurance that thus the
common interest is subserved and the
general welfare advanced. In the dis
;harge of my official duty l shall en-
ieavor to be guided by just and UNI
strained construction Of the constitution
careful observance of the distinction
between the powers granted TO the
ederal government and those reserved
o the States, or to the people, and by
;autious appreciation of those functions
which by the constitution and laws. have
,een especially assigned to the execu-
i've branch of the government, but he
Who takes the oath to-day to preserve,
protect and defend the constitution OF
he Unitrd States only assumes the
olemn obligation which every patriotic
itizen, on the farm, in the workshop,
n the busy marts of trade, and every
where should share with him. The con-
titution which prescribes his oath, my
is yours, the government
'ou have chosen him to administer for
ime, is yours, the suffrage which exc
utes the will of freemen is yours, the
avs and the entire scheme of our civil
ule, from the town meeting to the State |
apitol and the National capitol is yours. |
Your every voter, as surely as your
hief magistrate il under the same high |
anction' though in different sphere,
Exercises public trust. Nor Is this all |
every citizen owes to the country a |
igilant watch and close scrutiny of its |
ublic servants and a fair and reason
bic estimate of their fidelity and USE
illness. Thus is the peoples will i'm
ressed upon the whole framework of
ur civil polity-municipal, State and
this is the price of our
berry and the inspiration Of our faith
4 the Republic,
1t is the duty of those serving the peo-
le in public place to closely limit public
Expenditures to the actual needs OF the
economically administered
ecause this binds the right OF govern
rent TO exact tribute from the earnings
T labor or property of citizens, and be-
ause public extravagance begets extra
agance among the people. We should
ever be ashamed Of the simplicity and
rudential economies which are best
lited to the operation of u Republican
,rm of government, and most compat-
lie with the mission of the American
eople. Those who are selected tor u
mited time to manage public affairs are
i'll of the people and may do much by
leir example TO encourage consistency
it'll the dignity of their official func-
ons, that plain way Of life which among
,eir fellow citizens aids integrity and
prosperity.
The genius of our institutions, the
eeds Of our people in their home life,
nd the attention which is demanded
II the social development Of the re-
,urces Of our vast territory dictate the
avoidance Of any departure
ON that foreign policy commended by
le history, the tradition and the pros
Gritty of our Republic. 1t is the policy
/ independence favored by our position