The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1885-03-07
AIAW-ABlDING PRESIDENT.
THE FAIR PROMISE OF CLEVE-
LANDS INAUGURAL.
President and People Alike Bound
by the Constitution and Amen
able 60 the Law---Repubiicah
Methods for a Republican

MetAOdS Tor Isci1hoiACA1Ai
Governmnt.
The following is President Clevelands
inaugural address
FeIlow-citizens In the presence OF
this vast assemblage Of my countrymen
am about to supplement and seal by
the oath which | shall take the manifes-
tation of the viii Of great and free
people. In the exercise of their power
and right of self-government they have
committed to one of their fellow-citizens
a supreme and sacred trust, and he here
consecra.es himself to their service.
This impressive ceremony adds little to
the solemn sense of responsibility 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 reso-
luton to engage every faculty and effort
III the promotion of their welfare.
Amid the din of party strife the peo-
pies 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 in its fearless and faithful applica-
ton is to be found the surest guaranty
OF good government. But the best re-
suits in the operation Of a government
wherein every citizen has share largely
depend upon a proper limitation of pure
ly 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 transferred to new keep
ing, but this is still the government of
all the people, and it should be none the
less an object of their affectionate soli-
citude. At this hour the animosity of
political strife, the bitterness of partisan
defeat and the exultation of partisan
triumph should be supplanted by an I'M
grudging acquiescence i'll the popular
win and a sober, conscientious concern
for the general veal. Moreover, if from
this hour we cheerfully and honestly
abandon all sectional prejudice and dis
trust, and determine with confidence in
one another to work out harmoniously
the achievement of our national destiny,
we shall deserve to realize all the bene-
fits which our happy form of govern
ment can bestow.
On this auspicious occasion we may
well renew our pledge of our devotion
to the Constitution, which launched By
the founders of the Republic and conse-
Grated by their prayers and patriotic de-
votion, has for almost a century borne
the hopes and the aspirations of great
people through prosperity and peace,
and through the shock of foreign con
fiicts and the perils Of domestic strife
and vicissitudes. By the Father of his
Country our Constitution was commend
cd for adoption as "the result of 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
fall measure of its priceless benefits to
us and to those who will succeed to the
blessing of our national life. The large
varieties of diverse and competing inter.
ests subject to Federal control, persis
tently seeking the recognition of theil
claims, need give us no fear that ''the
greatest good to the greatest number
viii fail to be accepted, if in the halls ot
the National Legislature that spirit o.
amity and mutual concession shall pre-
vail in which the Constitution had it!
birth. If this involves the surrender o.
postponement of prevailing interests OF
the abandonment of local advantages
compensation viii be found in the as,
surance that thus the common interest i
subserved and the general welfare ad
vanced. In the discharge of my officia
duty I shall endeavor to be guided bl
my just and unstrained construction o
the Constitution, a careful observance o
the distinction between the power
granted to the Federal Government ant
those reserved to the States or to th
people, and by cautious appreciation
of those functions which by the Consti
tuition and laws have been especially as
signed to the executive branch of th
government.
But he who takes the oath to-day t,
preserve, protect and defend the Con
stitution of the United States only as
sumes the solemn obligation which ever
patriotic citizen on the farm, in th
workshop, in the busy marts Of trad
and everywhere should share with hin
The Constitution which prescribes HI
oath, my countrymen is yours. The gov
ernment you have chosen for time
yours. The suffrage which executes Il
win of freemen is yours. The laws an
the entire scheme of our civil rules, frol
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