The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-03-07

and ex-members of the Senate took
their seats just behind the President
members and members-elect If the
House occupied seats farther back on
the platform and otherpersons includ-
cd in the arrangements occupied the
steps and residue of the platform and
pOrtico.
AT II 40 p. m. President-elect Cleve-
land arose and began his inaugural
address He was clad in full suit of
black, Prince Albert coat, high, old
fashioned standing collar and black
tie, In speaking he held his left hand
closed behind him and emphasized his
speech by gestures with his right hand,
He spoke without manuscript, but oc-
casionally consulted small piece of
paper bearing the notes of the heads
OF his discourse. His voice was clear
and resonant, and he slowly enuci-
ated his words and occasionally turn
ed about at pauses as if to note the
effect of his remarks. He spoke as
follows:
FELLOW CITIZENS; In the presence
of this vast assemblage OF my country
men, | am about to supplement and
seal by the oath that | shall take the
manifestation of the will of a great
and free people. In the exercise of
their power and right of self-goveln-
ment, 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 the responsible
ty with which contemplate the duty
| 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 facility and effort in my promo
ton 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 Demo
cratic principle needs no apology, and
that i'll its fearless and faithful appli-
cation is to be found the surest guar
anty OF good government. But the
best result in the operation of the Gov
eminent, wherein every citizen has a
share, largely depend upon proper
limitation of purely partisan zeal and
effort, and a 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 transfer
red to new keeping. But this is still
the government of the people, and it
should be none the less an object OF
their atfectionate solicitude. At this
hour the animosities OF political strife,
the bitterness of partisan defeat and
the exultation of partisan triumph,
should be supplanted by an ungrudg-
ing aquiescence 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, and determine, with manly
confidence in one another, to work out
tremendously the the achievements OF
our national destiny, we shall deserve
to realize all the benefits which our
happy form OF government con be
stow.
On this suspicious 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 patri-
otto devotion, has for almost II century
borne the hopes and the aspirations Of
"a great people through prosperity and
peace, and through the shock Of for
eign conflicts and the perils Of domes-
tic strife and vicissitudes.
By the Father OF his Country our
Constitution wasconmended for adop-
ton as 1.-The result OF spirit of amity
and mutual concession" In that same
spirit it should be administered i'll or
der to promote the entire 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 our national life. The
lerge variety of diverse and competing
interests subject to Federal control,
persistently seeking the recognition OF
their claims, need give US no fear that
"the greatest good to the greatest
{ number will fail to be accomplished,
, il, in the halls OF notional Legislation,
that spirit of amity and mutual con
cession shall prevail, in which the con
stitution had its birth. Ifthis involves
the surrender or pOstpOnement OF pr
yate interests and the Abandonment OF
local advantages compensation Will
be found i'll the assurance that thus
the common interest is subserved and
the general welfare advanced.
In the discharge Of my official duty
| shall endeavor TO be guided by Il just
and unstrained construction OF the
constitution a careful observance OF
the distinction between the powers
granted to the federal government and
those reserved to the states or to the
people and by cautious appreciatlon
of those functions which, by the CON
stitution and laws, have been especial
, ly 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 which every patriotic citl
zen, on the farm, in the workshop, ii
the busy marts OF trade, and everywhere
I should share with him. The Con
stitution which prescribes his oath
t my countrymen, is yours the govern
t ment which you have chosen him tC
administer for a time is yours the
e suffrage which executes the will 0
: freemen is yours; the laws and thu
Q entire scheme Of our civil rule, from