Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-03-12
President Harriaon,s inaugural.
[From the paltimoro sun.H

From the Baltimore SUM-
The address compares fayorably with like
compositionsin matter and form. IL y enar-
acterised by an engaging moderation OF stl1tt-
raeut dignity of style aud sincerity that mnst
challenge the approval even OF those who
strongly oppose the views it expresses Prcsi-
dent Harrison alludes in the out set TO the face
that his term is the twenty-sixth under our
constitutions though Washingt0n's Inaugural
tion was delayed until the S0th of April, l769.
He is led by this circumstance to review the
changes and contrasts OF the hrst century OF
the organized existence OF this government
We have now thrty-eight States, populous
and powerful, as against tho thirteen OF WASH
ington's time. The center of population when
the national capital was located was east of
Baltimore. In1SS0 itwas near Cincinnati, and
the next census win show a long stride to the
westward. The comparison of the condition
of our people now and then Is, in the Presi-
dents opinion, much to the advantage of our
own time. We have grown marYelouHly in
territory, population and wealth, but we have
grown also in other things. The masses are
better fed, clothed and honsed. There Is more
of education, courage, patrio tism, temperance,
religion and charity, and the opportunity to
secure the comforts of life are better than 100
years ago. Yet the earlier day had this feat
ure. that it was interested in the devel opInent
of home manufacturers, and President Rarri-
son finds in the purpose of his party. to raise
the average of tariff taxes above "a per cent.
las against the Is per cent. of Washington's
umc-''a revival of the same patriotic interest
IN the preservation and development of domes-
tic industries" There was opposition then. as
now, lie comedies. to the protective policy,
but it was due chiefly. iu his opinion. to
the existence of slavery i'll ',some of the
States" The freeing of the slaves has hap
PLY eliminated the sectional element from the
discussion. All the States may Ifow engage in
manufacturing. and this circumstance points
in his view. to the growth of the protectionist
sentiment In the South. An alliance of the
manufacturing interest in the Sonth with the
Al.
VINO accept the tariff views of Clay have only
It'll suggested. to courageonsIy avow aud de-
fend their real convictions, and may hope by
friendly instruction and corporation to make
the black man their efficient and safe ally
not only in securing tho future of protect
but also ''in preserving for their local cotnmu-
mites the benefits of social order and econom-
zealand honest government"
President Harrison rejects the suggestion of
special executive policy for any section of
our country, but indicates n disposition to well
come legislation looking to federal supervision
of congressional elections. He deprecates the
efforts of individuals, corporations or commu-
mites to nullify iuconvenient laws, and points
to the evil effects of such course. His pur-
pose. it is intimidated, is to put down s'violent
interference" with rights. a reform of cleo
ton laws is strongly urged. with the object OF
securing 'tthe freedom of the ballot +" Con-
gress has not hitherto taken control of elee-
tions in cases where the constitution gives IL
Jurisdiction, but the 'inethcieney of the State
laws, or the 'unIalr or partisan administers
ton of thcm.'' demands, in the Presidents
view, that 1t should now do So In the South
the inefficiency of a certain class of voters il
much spoken of. "If," says the President
sin any of the States the public security il
| thought to be threatened by ignorance among
the electors, the obvious remedy is education
/ He does not, however. suggest that Congress
should defer its legislation to bring out the
| colored vote until the required degree of edu-
cation is obtained. Election frauds, such as
| those of New York and Indiana, are deprecated
in severe terms, and the just view is expressed
that ga party success achieved by unfair meth.
DDS, or by practices that partake of revolution
| is hurtful and evanescent even from q party
standpoint" Turning from these great issues
the President advises q modification of our
naturalization laws with the object of restrict
| ing the gift of citizenship to worthy immi
grants insists upon the assertion of American
predominencc over the Isthmian canal and the
maintenance of rights acquired by this govern.
ment in Samoa; discredits the idea that q
treasury surplus is the greatest of evils and
| suggests that SO much of it as remains after q
suitable ret:nction of our revenues may be
wisely spent or used in the purchase of gov
eminent bonds. The enlargemento of the navy.
the need of NOR" liberal pension laws, and the
admission of fOur nav States are topics that
are briefly treated. Tim most welcome fea-
ture of the address tn rn5ny readers will be
the strong declaration in favor of the mainte-
nance arti strict Observance of the civil-ser-
vice laws. Importuuttv. ofIice-scckers are in
formed willnotfurtii"r their chances. Whether
many removals are intended cannot be clearly
inferred. There is something ornih0us how
ever, in the declaration that removals from
office will diminish" only far Ms the incuul-
bents received the approval of the opposition
''for imPartiality." rhat. it is TO be feared.
will not be very far.
a