The national leader., 1889-03-09

each other, we may reverentIy invoke
and confidently expect the favor and
help or Almighty God, that he will give
to me wisdom, strength and fidelity.
and TO our people spirit of fratern-
lty and love of Righteousness and
peace. Ihls occasion derives peculiar
interest from the fact that the Presi-
dental term, which begins this day. is
the 10th under our Constitution. The
first inauguration of President Wash
ington took place in New York. where
Congress was then sitting on the 3Oth
day of April, 1889, having been defer
red by reason of delays ATTENDING the
organization of the Congress and the
canvass of the Electoral vote. Our
people have already worthlly observed
the centennials of the Declaration of
Independence, OF the Battle of York
town and of the adoption of the Consti-
tuition, and will shortly celebrate in
New York the institution of the second
great department Of our constitutional
scheme Of Government. When the
centennial of the institution of the
Judicial department, by the organiza-
tion of the Supreme Court, shall have
Deen suitab bly, observed, as it will be.
our Nation will have fully entered it's
second century.
[ will not attempt to note the mar
vels and in great part happy contrasts
between our country as it steps over
the threshold into Its second century of
organized existence under the COnstj-
tuition, and that weak bat wisely order
ed young nation that looked undaunt-
edly down the first century when all its
years stretched out before 1t,
PROGRESS OF TIE REPUBLIC.
Our people will not fail at this time
to recall the incidents which accom-
panied the institution OF governments
under the Constitution, or to find in
spiration and guidance in the TEACHINGS
and example of Washington and his
great associates, and hope and courage
in the contrast which thirty-eight popH-
lar and prosperous States offer to the
thirteen States, weak in everything ex--
cept courage and the love of liberty.
that then fringed our Atlantic sea-
board.
The Territory of Dakota has now
population greater than any of the
original States Except Vlrginia) and
greater than the aggregate of five of the,
smaller States in 1890. The centre of
population when our national capi-i
tOl was located was east of Balti-
more, and it was argued by all
well-in-formed persons that 1t would
move eastward rather than westward.
Yet in 1880 it was found to he 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 restricted to
territory, population and aggregate
wealth, marvellous as II has been in
zach of those directions. The masses
# our people are better fed, clothed
md housed than their fathers were.
The facilities for popular education
generally diffused. The virtues Of
courage and patriotism have given re-
cent proof of their presence and increas-
ng power in the hearts and over the
ives of our people. The influence of
eligion has been multiplied and
strengthened. The sweet offices of
charity have greatly increased. The
virtue of temperance is held in hig her
;stimation. We have not attained an
deal condition. Not all of our people
lre 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.
THE BIRTH OF THE AMERICAN sYs-
TEN OF PROTECTION.
The surrender Of a large measure Of
sovereignty to the general Government,
effected by the adoption of the COnSti-
tuition, was not accomplished until the
suggestions of reason were strongly
reinforced by the more imperative voice
Of experience. The divergent interests
Of peace speedily demanded ''mOre
perfect union" The merchant, the
shipmaster and the manufacturer dis
covered and disclosed to our statesmen
and to the people that commercial en-
ancipation must be added to the politi-
cal freedom which had been so bravely
won. The commercial policy of the
mother country had not relaxed any or
its hard and oppressive features. 10
hold in check the development OF our
commercial marine, to prevent or re-
tard the establishment and growth OF
In the States, and so 10
secure the American market for their
shops and the carrying trade for their
ships, was the policy of European
statesmen, and was pursued with moSI
selfish vigor.
Petitions poured in on Congress urg-
Ing the imposition of discriminating
duties that should encourage the pro-
duction of needed things at home. Inc
patriotism of a people, which no longer
found field of exercise in war, was en-
ergetlcally directed to the duty OF equip
ping the young republic for the derence
or It's independence by making iCS
people self-dependent. Societies tor Ghe
promotion of home manufactures ana
tor encouraging the use of domeSticS III
tho dress of the people were organized
IN many of the States, The revival al
the end of the century OF the salne
patriotic interest in the preservation
and development of domestic industries
and the defence of our working peopie
against injurious foreign competition Is
An in0i6anf r1,orthu IF 9ttpuClOU. LII