The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-03-13
THE INAUGURAL.
President Cleveland's Address on
Taking Office.
Various Topics Of National Interest
Discussed.


The following is President Cleyeand's inaugural
addtees in full as delivered
FE1Iow-CiTIzENs-In the presence OF tf vast
assembage OF my countrymen am about TO sup
plement and seal by the oath which shall take
the manifestation OF the Will OF a great and iree
people In the exercise OF their power and SELF SELF
government, they have committed TO one OF their
fe ow-citize a supreme and sacred trust; aud he
hsre consecrates himself to their service.
This impressive ceremony adds little 10 the SOL
emn sense of responsibility with which contem-
plate the duty owe to all the people OF the land;
nothing can relieve me of 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.
To-day the executive branch OF the government
is transferred to new keeping. But this s sun tne
government Of all the people, and 1t should oe none
this hour the animostes OF political strife the bit
terness of partisan defeat and the exutation OF
partisan triumph should be suppanted by an uh-
grudging acquiescence in the popular VIII, and
sober, conscientious concern for the general veal
Moreover, II, from this hour we cheerfuy and hon.
estly abandon all sectional prejudice and distrust
and determine, with manly confidence IN one
another, to work out harmonionsy the achieve
ments Of our national destiny, we shall deseNet 70
realize all the benefits which our happy FORM OF
government can bestow.
On this auspicioue occasion we may well renew
the pledge OF our devotion to the Constitution,
which, launched by the founders OF the republic
and consecrated by their prayers and patrlo'o De-
votion, has for almost a century born the hopes
and the aspirations OF great people through pros
perity and peace, and through the shock OF foreign
conflicts I'm the perils OF domestic strife ana W.
BY the father of his country our Constitution was
commend, for adoption as ''the result OF splrt
| OF amity and mutual concession In that same
spirit 1t should be administered, In order TO pro-
mote the lasting welfare OF the country and 10 Sc
the full measure Of Its priceless b.nehts 10 US
and to those who will succeed to the blessings OF
our national life. The large variety OF diverse
and ntesess tn soees so o h
claims, need give us no felrs that 81 the greatest
good to the greatest number Will fail TO be accom-.
pshed, II In the halls OF national legislation that
spirit OF amity and mutual concession shall prevail
in which the Constitution had its birth II this in
interests and the abandonment Of local advantages,
COMPENSATION will be found in the assurance that
thus the common interest is subserved and ihe gen.
In the discharge OF my official duty shall en-
deavor 10 be guided by Just and unstra,ned con.
structon of the Constitution, careful Observance
of the distinction between the powers granted to
the Federal government and those reserved to the
States, or 70 the people and " cautious ,hn appre
tion and laws, have been especially assigned TO the
executive branch Of the government.
But he who takes the oath to-day to preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution OF the United
States only assumes the solemn obligation whch
every patriotic citizen, on the farm, III inc WORK
shop, In the busy marts of trade, and everywhere,
should share with him. The Constitution wnch
prescribes his osth my countrymen, is your the
government you have chosen him to administer
FOR a time is yours; the suffrage which executes
the will of freeman Is yours; the laws and the en-
tire scheme OF our civil rule, from the town meet
ing to the State capitals and the national capital,
is yours; Your every voter, surely as your chief
magistrate, under the same high sanction, though
nor is ths all Every citizen owes to the country
vigiant watch and close scrutiny OF Its puohc
servants and q fair and reasonable estimate OF
their fidelity and usefulness. Thus il the peoples
will impressel upon the whole framework OF our
civil poicy-municipal,, State and Federal-and
this is the price OF our liberty and The Inspiration
1t is the duty OF those serving in public place to
closely limit public expenditures to the actual neels
OF the government economically administered; be-
cause this bounds the right of the government 70
exact tribute from the earnings OF labor or the
property OF the citizens, and because pubic ex-
iravagance beg It's extravaganza among the people;
We should never be ashamed Of the simplicity and
prudential economies which are best suited 10 the
operation of a republican form OF government ana
most compatible with the mission OF the American
people. those who are selected for a limited lime
to manage public affairs still OF the people, and
may do much by their example TO encourage, con-
stantly with the dignity OF their official funcnons'
that plain way OF NE which among their ,ehow 5
. citizens aids integrity and promotes thr1t anu
The genius Of our insti utions, the needs of our
people in their home life, and the attention which
is demanded for the settlement and development OF
the resources OF our vast territory, dictate me
foreIpn poicy Commended 6y the history, the ira
ditions and the prosperity OF our republic.
Its the policy Of independence. favored BY our our
lice and by our power. 1t is the policy of peace
suitable to our interests. IT is the policy OF neu,
trality, rejecting ehare in foreign Dr0lls ana
l ambitions upon other continents, and repelling
their intrusion here It is the policy OF Monroe and
= of Washington and Jefferson-"Peace, commerce
y and honest friendship with all nations entangng
/ alliances with none." due regard for the inter-
ests and prosperity OF all the people demand that
our finances shall be established upon such sound
and sensible basis shall secure the safety and
e confidence Of business interests and maze the
wsges Of labor and steady and that our system
of revenue shall be SO adjusted as to relieve the
people from unnecessary taxation, taking due re-
gard TO the interests OF capital Invested and work
ingmen employed in American Industries, and pre-
venting the accumulation OF d surplus in the treas
= ury TO tempt extravaganza and waste. Care fol
the property of the nation, and for the needs Of
: future settlers. require that tho public domain
o should be protected from purloinng schemes and
I he conscience OF the people demands that III,
d Indians within our boundaries shall be fairy anC
. honestly treated as wards of the government, ant
|, their education and civ lization promoted with d
@ my in the territories, destructive of the family
- relation and offensive to the moral sense of tht
J civilized word, shall be repressed The laws shonlt
e be rigidy enforced which prohibit the immigrst oil
q of a servlle class to compete with American labor
= with no intention OF acquiring citizenship and
Il bringing with them anu retaining habits and Gus
d toms repugnant TO our civilization.
:, The people demand reform in the administration
PRINCIPLES ia 70 public an afaTs, @ As means to to Ss end
2 civil service reform should be in good faith en-
forced. Our citizens have the right to protection
o from the incompetency OF public employees witt
hold their aces solely as the reward OF partisan
seryicesl and from thu corruptng influence o
tnose VINO promise ana tnc VICIOUS intlnOue o
l. those who expect such rewards. And those VIII,
n wortly seek public employment have the right Il
q Insist that merit, that competency shall be recog
d nized, instead of party subserylvncy or the sur
render OF honest political belief.
V In the administration OF government pledge
W to do equal and exact Justice to all men, ther
e should be pretext for anxiety touching the pre-
lection of the freedmen In their rights, or thei
secnry In the government Of their privileges unde
u the Constitution and ts amendments. All dseu:
"a sion as to their fitness for the place accorded
~ them as American citizens is idle and Improbable
except as suggests the necessity for their improy,
n ment The fact that they are citizens entitle
>. them TO all the rights due TO thst relation, an
charges them with all Its duties, obligations and II
IS spOnsbllites.
"a These topics, and the constant and ever varyn
~ wants OF an active and enterprsing population
n may well receive the attention and the patriotic eI
a deavor OF all who make and execute The Feder
law Our duties are practical, and call for indusr
w GUS app cation, ar Intelligent perception of Il
20 c aims of public office; and, above sll, firm d.
. termination by united action TO secure to all n
~ people of the land the full benefits of the best for
l. OF government ever vonohsafed TO man And Il
a us not trust TO human effort alone but, hnmb
o, acknowledging the power aud goodness OF A
le mighty God. who presides over The destinies
D. nat ons, and who has at all times been revealed
our country's history, let invoke HIS aid and II
blessing upon our labors