Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-05
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Thoughts Suggested to Benjamin
Harrison Upon Assuming the
HIGHEST OFFICE In AMERICA,
His Views on ALI Topics Of Interest to the
People and Politicians.
GREAT STRESS LAID ON A FREE VOTE

WASHINGTON, March 4.-The following
Is the full text of President Harrison's in
augural address:
There is no constitutional or legal require
ments that the President shall take the oath
of Office in the presence of the people. But
there is so manifest an appropriateness in
the public induction to Office of the Chief
Executive officer of the nation that from the
beginning of the Government, the people, to
whose service the official oath consecrates
the officer, have been called to witness the
solemn ceremonial.
The oath taken in the presence of the
people becomes a mutual covenant-the
officer covenants to serve the whole body of
the people by a faithful execution of the
laws, so that they may be the untailing de-
fense and security of those who respect and
observe them, and that neither wealth, sta
tion nor the power of combinations shall be
able to evade their just penalties, or to wrest
them from benefcent public purpose to
serve the ends Of cruelty or sel6shness. My
promise is spoken; yours unspoken-but not
the less real and solemn,
The people of every State have here their
representatives. Surely DO not misinterpret
the spirit of the occasion when l assume
that the whole body of the people covenant
with me and with each other to-day to sup
port and defend the Constitution and the
Union of the States, to yield willing ODE
dience to all the laws and each to every
other citizen his equal civil and political
rights. Entering thus solemnly into
covenant with each other, we may reverent-
" invoke and confidently expect the favor
and help of Almighty God-that He will
give to me wisdom, strength and fidelity,
and to our people a spirit of fraternity and
love of righteousness and peace.
A PECULIAR INTEREST.
This occasion derives peculiar interest
from the fact that the Presidential term,
which begins this day, is the 26th under our
Constitution. The first Inauguration of
President Washington took place in New
York, where Congress was then sitting, on
the 3Oth day of April, 17S9, having been
deferred by reason of delays attending the
organization of the Congress and the can
yass of the electoral vote. Our people have
already wotthiiy observed the centennials
OF the Declaration of Independence, of the
battle of Yorktown, and of the adoption of
the Constitution, and will shortly celebrate,
in New York, the institution of the second
great department of our constitutional
scheme of government. When the centen-
NAL of the institution of the judicial depart
ment by the organization of the Supreme
Court shall have been suitably observed,
as l trust it will be, our nation will have
fully entered its second century.
will not attempt to note the marvellous
and, IN great part, happy contrasts between
our country as it steps over the threshold
into its second century of organized exist
ence under the Constitution, and that weak
but wisely-ordered young nation that looked
undauntedly down the first century, when
all its years stretched out before it. Our
people will not fail at this time to recall the
incidents which accompanied the institu-
ton Of government under the Constitution,
or TO find inspiration and guidance in the
teachings and example of Washington and
his great associates, and hope and courage
in the contrast which 3S populous and pros
porous States offer to the 13 States, weak in
everything except courage and tie love of
liberty, that then fringed our Atlantic sea-
board.
A SYMBOL OF GROWTH.
The Territory of Dakota mas now popu-
lation greater than any of the original
States Except Virginia), and greater than
the aggregate of five of the smaller States
in 1870. The center of population, when
our national capital was located, was east of
DdAAAAuOAG1 hAu AZ NStb uSu Dl udG1 we'll
informed persons that it would move east
ward than westward. Yet in 1880 it was
found to be near Cincinnati, and the new
census, about to be taken, will show another
stride to the westward. That which was the
body has come to be only the rich fringe of
the nations robe.
But our growth has not been limited to
territory, population and aggregate wealth,
marvellous as it has been in each of those d.
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ter ted, clothed and housed than their ia
thers were. The facilities for popular edu-
cation have been vastly enlarged and more
generally difused. The virtues of courage
and patriotism have given recent proof of
their continued presence and increasing
power in the hearts and over the lives OF our
people. The influences of religion have
been multiplied and strengthened. The
sweet Offices of charity have greatly in
creased. The virtue of temperance is held
IN higher estimation. We have not at
tanned an ideal condition; not all of our peo-
pie are happy and prosperous; not all of
Them are virtuous and law-abiding. But,
on the whole, the opportunities offered to
the Individual TO secure the comforts of life
are better than are found elsewhere, and
largely better than they were here 100 years
ago.
ONLY GAINED BY NECESSITY.
The surrender of a large measure Of SOW
ereignty to the General Government. effected
by the adoption of the Constitution, was not
accomplished until the suggestions of rea-
son were strongly reinforced by the more
imperative voice of experience. The di-
vergent interest of peace speedily demanded
a more perfect union" The merchant,
the shipmaster and the manufacturer dis
covered and disclosed to our statesmen and
to the people that commercial emancipation
must be added to the political freedom which
had been so bravely won. The commercial
policy Of the mother country had not relaxed
any Of its hard and oppressive features.
To hold In check the development of our
commercial marine, to prevent or retard the |
establishment and growth of manufactures
in tie States, and so to secure the American
market for their shops and their carrying
trade for their ships, was the policy of
European statesmen, and was pursued with |
the most selfish vigor. Petitions poured in
upon Congress urging the imposition of dis
eliminating duties that should encourage
the production of needed things at home. |
The patriotism of the people, which no
longer found field of exercise in war, was
energetically directed to the duty of equip !
ping the young republic for the defense of |
its Independence by making its people self |
dependent. Societies for the promotion of
home manufactures and for encouraging the |
use of domestics in the dress of the people |
were organized in many of the States.
AN INTERESTING INCIDENT.
The revival at the end Of the century of
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