Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-07
HarriSOn'S Inaugural.

tativag of ell the great nations on tn,
globe. Benjamin Harrison was to-ds!
Conducted into the highest Office within TIT
gift Of the American people. Never were
such crowds IN Washington before. Its
estimated that half million strangers
camped in the city last night, filling
every iucn of hotel and boarding house
accommodation, and drawing to full
limit on private hos Pitality. Ever
then many were forced TO sleep OIL
the floors, some On the billiard tables
and even the welcome recess of an occa-
sional BATH tub, was not despised.
The president-eiect entered the senate
chamber shortly before noon. The senate
adjourned. Vice president Morton then
took the oath of Office, and swearing II
the new senators began.
At 12:45 the president-eiect reached
the outside platform and promptly began
reading his inaugural address, which Is
as follows:
There Is no constitutional or legal re-
quirement shat the president shall take
the oath of office IN the presence Of the
people, but their is SO manifest appro-
priateness in public induction to the of
fee Of the chief executive officer of g
nation that from the beginning of the
government that people, TO whose service
the official oath consecrates the ottioer,
have been called to witness. The solemn
ceremonial OF an oath taken IN the pres
enco of the people, becomes mutual Gov
enant. The officer covenants to serve the
whole body of the people by the faithful
execution Of the law, Sd that there may be
an unfailing defense and security OF those
who respect and observe them, and that
neither wealth, station nor power of com
binations shall be able 70 evade their just
penalties, or TO wrest them from the
beneficent public purpose to serve the
ends of cruelty o. seltishness. Ny
promise is spoken, yours unspoken, but
not the less real ana solemn. People Of
every state have here their represent
atives. Surely I 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 today
TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION
and union of states, to yield willing ODE
dience to all laws and each to every
other citizen mis- equal, civil and poIItlcal
rights Entering thus solemn!y lUto
convenient with each other, we may reVer-
entity invoke and confidently eXpecF the
favor and help of almighty God,
that be will give 70 me, wisdom,
strength and fidelity, and 10 our people
the spirit of fraternity and love OF right
eousneas and peace. This occasion de
rives peculiar interest from the fact that
the presidential term which begins this
day, Is he twenty -eIxsh under our constI-
sutton. The first inaug aratiOn OF PresI-
dent Washing On took place IN New York
where congress was then sitting, on the
30th day of April, 1889, having been
deferred by reason Of delays attend ng
the organization Of congress and the can
vass of the electoral vote. Oar people
nave already worthily observed the cen
tenuials Of the declaration of independ-
ence, 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 depart
ment of our constitutional scheme of
government. When the centennial of
the constitution of the judicial depart
ment By the organization of the supreme
court, shall have been suitably observed,
as trust it will be, our nation will have
fully entered its second century.
| will not attempt 10 note the marvel
GUS and in great part, happy contrasts
between our country as 1t steps over the
threshold into its second century of or
ganized existence up der the constitution,
and that weak but wisely ordered young
nation that
LOOKED UNDAUNTEDLY DOWN THE FIRST
CENTURY,
When all it's years stretched out before 1T.
Our people will not fail at this time to
recall incidents which accompanied the
institution OF the government under the
constitution, or to find inspiration and
guidance IN the teachings and example of
Washington and his great associates, and
hope aud courage in the contrast which
thirty eight pOpuious and prosperous
states offer to the thirteen states, weak
in everything except courage and love of
liberty, that then fringed our Atlantic
seaboard. The territory of Dakota has
now population greater than any of the
original states Except Virginia), and
greater than the aggregate of five of the
smaller states in 1896.
The center of population when our
national capital was located, was east of
Baltimore. 1t was argued by many we'll
informed persons that it would move
eastward rather than westward. Yet in
and the aew census about to be taken will
show
ANOTHER STRIDE TO WESTWARD.
That which was the body had come to
be only the rich fringe of the nations
robe, but our growth has not been linn
tied to territory, population and aggre-
gate wealth, marvellous as it has been n
each of those directions. The masses OF
our people are better fed, clothed
and housed than their fathers were
The facilities for popular education have
been vastly enlarged, and more generally
diffused. The virtues OF courage and
patriotism have given q recent proof OF
their continued presence and increasing
power IN the hearts and over the lives OF
our people in the influence of religion
have been multiplied and strengthened
the sweet offices of charity have greatly
increased.
THE VIRTUE OF TEMPERANCE
is held IN higher estimation. We have
not attained our ideal condition. Not al
of our people are happy and prosperous
not ali Of them are vIrtuous aud law a5id
ing. But o. the whole, the opportunities
offered to the individual TO secure thu
comforts of HE are better than are founG
elsewhere, and largely better than the!
were hers 100 years ago.
The surrender Of a large measure o
sovereignty 10 the general government
effected by the adoption of the constitu
ton, was not accomplished until the sug
gestions Of reason were strongly rein
forced By the more imperative voice o
experience. The divergent interest o
peace speedily demanded more perfec
union. The merchant, the ship maste
and the manufacturer discovered ant