The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-07-06
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.

The President in reply said:
l cannot but be profoundly impress
ed when Tsee about me the messengers
of the national Democracy bearing its
summons to duty. The political party
to which l owe allegiance both honos
and commands me. 1t places in my
hand its proud standard and bids me
bear it high at the front in battle
which it wages, bravely because con.
scious of right, confidently because its
trust Is in the people, and soberly be-
cause it comprehends the obligations
success imposes.
The message which yoa bring awak.
ems Within me the liveliest sense of
personal gratitude and satisfaction and
the honor which you tender me is in
itself so great that there might wtll be
no room for any other sentiment. And
yet / cannot rid myself of grave and
serious thoughts when remember
that party supremacy is not .alone in
volved in the conflict which presses up
on us, but that we struggle to secure
and save the cherished institutions, the
welfare and the happiness OF nation
of freemen.
Familiarity with the great office
which hold has but added to my ap-
prehensinn of its sacred character and
the conservation demanded of him
who assumes its immense resporsibili.
ties. 1t is the repository of the reo.
ple's will and power. Within its vision
should be the protection and welfare
of the humblest citizen and with
quick ear 1t should catch from the re
motest c,rner of the land the plea o.
the people for justice and for right
For the sake of the people, he who hold
this Office of theirs should resist ever,
encroachment upon its Legislative func
tions; and for the sake of the integrit,
and usefulness of the Office, it should b
kept near to the people and be admin
istered IN full sympathy with thei
wants and needs.
This occasion reminds me most vivid
ly of the scene when, four years ago,
received message from my party simi
lar to that which you now deliver
With all that has passed since tha
day can truly say that the feeling o
awe with which l heard the summon
then is intensified many fold when it i
repeated now.
-Four years ago l knew that on
Chief Executive Office, if not CAREFUL.
guarded, might drift little by littl
away from the people to whom it be
longed and become perversion OF a
it ought to be; but l d d not know
how much its moorings had alread
been loosened | knew four years ag
how we'll devised were the principle
of true Democracy for the successful
operation of government by the peo
pie and for the people; but did no
know how absolutely necessary thei
application then was for the restoration
to the people of their safety and pros
perity.. / knew then that abuses ant
extravaganoes had crept into the man
agement of public affairs, but di'
not know their numerous forms nor tn
tenacity of their grasp. / knew thel
something of the bitterness of partisan
obstruction, but did not know hov
bitter how reckless and how shameless
it could be. l knew, too, that tn
American people were patriotic an
Just but i did not know how grand
they loved their country nor how nobl
and generous they were.
HIS RECoRP STANDS FOR ITSELF.
/ shall not dwell upon the acts an
the policy of the administration no,
drawing to its close. Its record
open to every citizen of the land.
And yet 1 will not be denied th
privilege of asserting at this time tina
In the exercise of the functions of tn
high trust confded TO me ! have yield
ed obedience only to the Constitu
tion and the solemn obligation of m,
oath of Office. have done thos