Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-03-09
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The Principles That viii Govern the
Administration.

ident Harrison's inaugural address was as.
follows:
There is no constitutional or legal require
nent 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 Ex--
ecutive 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 tine presence of the
people becomes mutual covenant-the
officer covenants to serve the whole body of
the people bv faithful execution of the
laws, so that they may be the unfailing de-
Tense 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 a bene6cent public purpose to
serve the ends of cruelty or selfishness. 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 misinter-
pref 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 ana the
Union of the States to yield willing obedi-
ence 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 reverently invoke and
confidently expect the favor and help of Al
mighty God that He will give to me wis
dom, strength and fidelity, and to our peo-
pie spirit of fraternity and a love OF right
eousness and peace.
This occasion derives peculiar interest from
the fact that the Presidential term, which
haf TnCf 1nrr = . = Il
our Constitution The first Inauguration of
President Washington took place in New
York. where Congress was then sitting, on
the 30th day of April 1889, having been de-
ferred by reason of delays attending the or
ganization of the Congress and the canvass
of the electoral vote. Our people have al
ready worthilv observed the centennial of
the Declaration of Independence, of the bat
tie 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 eenten-
NAL OF the institution of the judicial de-
partment 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.
The 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 incl
dents which accompanied the institution Of
| government under the Constitution, or to
find inspiration and guidance in the teach
ings and example Of Washington and his
| great associates. and hope and courage in the
contrast which thirty-eight populous and
| prosperous States offer to the thirteen States,
weak in everything except courage and the
love OF liberty, that then tringed our At
lantic seaboard.
The Territory of Dakota has now a popu-
lation greater than any of the original States.
| Except Virginia), and greater than the az
gregate OF five OF the smaller States in 1890.
The center of population, when our National
Capital was located, was east of Baltimore,
and it was argued by many wellinformed
persons that it would move eastward rather
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
directions. The masses of our people are
better fed, clothed and housed then their
fathers were. The facilities for popular
education have been vastly enlarged and
more generally diffused. The virtues of
courage and patriotism have given recent
proof of their continued presence and in
creasine power in the hearts and over the
lives of our people. The influences of re-
ligion have been multiplied and strength
ened The sweet offices of charity have
greatly Increased. The virtue of temperance
is held in higher estimation. We have not
attained an ideal condition; not all Of our
people are happy and prosperous; not all of
them are virLuous 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.
Our Commercial Emancipation.
The surrender of a large measure of SOW
ereignty 10 the General Government effected
by the adoption of the Constitution, was not
accomplished until the suggestions OF reason
were strongly reinforced by the more imper-
alive voice of experience. The divergent
interests of peace speedily demanded @
''more perfect union" TIE merchant, the
shipmaster and the manufacturer discovered
and disclosed to our statesmen and to the
people that commercial emancipation must
DC uiiucu W the pOilllCdl iFceupm WHICH 0aQ'
been so bravelv won. The commercial pol
icy 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 the 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 needful things at home.
The patriotism of the people, which no
longer found field of exercise in war, was
energeticaiiy 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.
Industry No Longer Sectional.
The revival at the end OF the century Of
the same patristic interest in the preserva-
ton and development of domestic iudustries.