The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-03-12
President CIeveland's Inaugural
Address.


FELLOW CIrlzENs-In the presence of this
vast assemblage of my cOuntrymen l am about
to supplement and seal by the oath which l
shall take, the manifestation of the will of a
great and free people, In the exercise OF their
power and right of selfgovernment they have
committed to one OF their fellow citizens II SUI
preme and sacred trust, and he here consccrates
himself to their service. This impressive cere-
mOny adds little to the solemn sense of respon
sibility with which | contemplate the duty l
owe to all the people of the land. Nothing can
relieve me from my anxiety lest by any act OF
mine their interests may suffer, and nothing is
needed TO strengthed 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 cir
cumstances have demonstrated anew the strength
and safety OF government by the people. In
each succeeding year it more clearly appears
that our democratic principle needs no apology,
and that in its fearless and faithful applications
is to be found the surest guaranty OF good gov
eminent. But the best results in the operations
of government wherein every citizen has
share, largely depend upon proper limitation
of purely partisan zeal and effort. and correct
apprehension Of the time when the heat of the
partisan should be merged in the patriotism of
the citizens. Today 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 their
ahectonate solcitude.
A PLEA FOR UNITY.
At this hour the anmosites of political strife
the bitterness of partisan defeat and the exulta
ton OF partisan triumph should be suppanted
by ungrudging acquiescence in the popular
will and a sober conscientious concern OF the
general veal Moreover, il from the hour we
cheerfully and honestly abandon all sectional
prejudice and distrust and determine with manly
confidence in one an ether TO work out harmOn-
OlSlV tho achievements Of national destiny
we shall deserve to realize all benefits which
our happy form of government can best0w.
On this suspicious occasion may we'll renew
the pledge of our devO ton to the constitution
which, launched by the founders of the Re
public and cOnsecrated by their prayers and
patriotic devotion, has for almost a century
borne The hopes and the aspirations Of great
people through prosperity and peace, and
through the shock of foreign conflicts and the
pers OF domestic strife and .vcissitudes By
the Father of his Country our constitution was
commended for adoption as THE result of a
spirit of amiiy and mutual consent"
FOR TIE COMMON GOOD.
In the 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 blessings of national life the
large variety of diverse and competing interests,
subject TO Federal control, persistenty seeking
fear that The greatest good to the greatest
number" will fail to be accomplished if, in the
halls OF national legislation, that spirit of amity
and mutual concession shall prevail in which
the constitution had its birth. If this involves
the surrender or postponement or private inter
est or abandonment of local advantages, compen-
sation will be found in the assurance that thus the
common interest is subserved and the general
welfare advanced. In the discharge of my official
duties l desire TO be guided by just and unre
strained construction of the constitution, a
careful observance Of the distinction between
the powers granted to the Federal Government
and those reserved to the States to the people,
and by a cautious appreciation OF those unc-
tons which by the constitution and laws have
especially assigned to the executive branch Of
the government, bu: he who takes the oath
to-day to preserve, protect and defend the con-
stitution OF the United States only assumes the
solemn obligations which every patriotic citi-
on the farm, in the workshop, in the busy
marls OF trade and everywhere should share
with him.
OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE.
The constitution which prescribes his oath,
my countrymen, is yours The government
YOU have chosen for time is yours The sut
frage which executes tho will of free men is
yours. The laws and the entire scheme of our
civil rule from the town meeting 10 the State
capitols and the National capitol is yours.
Your every voter as surely your chief magis-
trate under the same high sanction, though in a
different sphere, exercises public trust Nor is
this all. Every citizen owes to the country
vigiant watch and close scrutiny OF Its public
servants aud fair and reasonable estimate of
their fidelity and usefulness Thus is the peO-
pies will impressed upon the whole framework
OF our civil policy, municipal, State and Federal,
and this is the price of our liberty and the inspi-
ration of our faith in the Republic 1t is the
duty of those serving the people in public places
to closely limit public expenditures to the actual
needs OF the government, economically admins
tered, because this bounds the right of the gov
eminent TO exact tribute from the earnings of
labor or the property OF the citizen, and because
public extravaganza beges extravaganza among
the people. We should never be ashamed OF
the simplicity and prudential economy which
are best suited to the operation of a republican
form of government and most compatible with
the mission of the American people Those
who are selected for limited time to manage
public affairs are still of the people and may do
much by their example TO encourage consist
emily with the dignity of their official functions
that plain way of life which among their fellow
citizens aids integrity and promotes thrift and
prosperity.
A CONSERVATIVE FOREIGN POLICY.
The genius of our institutions. the needs of
our people in home life and the attention which
is demanded for the settlement and develop.
ment OF the resources OF our vast territory,
dictate the scrupulous avoidance of any de-
parlure from that foreign policy commended by
the history, the traditions and the prosperity of
our Republic 1t is the policy OF independence,
favored by our ,sition and defended by our
known love ofjuslce and by our power. 1t is
the policy OF peace, suitable TO our interests 1t
is the policy of neutrality, rejecting any share
in foreign breils and ambitions upon other
continents and repelling their intrusion here
1t is the policy of Monroe Washington and
Jefferson" peace, commerce and honest friend.
ship with all nations, entangling alliances with
none"
THE FINANCIAL POLICY
due regard for the interests and prosperity
OF all the people demands that our finances shall
be established upon such sound and sensible
basis as shall secure the safety and confidence OF
business interests, and make the wages of labor
sure aud steady; and that our system OF revenue
shall be 50 adjusted as to relieve the people
from unnecessary taxation, having due regard
to the interests of capital interested and work
ingmen employed in American industries, and
preventing the accumulation of a surplus ia the |
treasury to tempt extravaganza and waste
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Care for the property Of the nation and for the |
needs OF future settlers requires that the public |
domain should be protected from pureining |
schemes and unlawful occupation.
The conscience of the people demands that |
the Indians within our boundaries shall be fairly |
and honestly treated as wards of the govern
ment, and their education and civilization pro-
NOTED with view TO their ultimate citizenship, |
and that pOlygamy 10 the territories destructive
OF the family relation and offensive to the neral