Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-03-08
Harrison'S Inaugural.
1t FaHors the Promotion of the Civil
Service Reform Rule,
And Rejects the Suggestion of Special
Policy for Any Section.
The Election Laws and Tariff and
Southern Questions Reviewed.


of all the wisdom aud authority embodied
in the co ordinate branches of the gov
ernmept and surrounded by the repre-
seusativss of all the great nations on the
globe, Benjamin Harrison vas today
conducted into the hig hest Office within the
gift of the American people. Never were
such crowds in Washington before. 1t is
estimated that half million strangers
camped in the city last night, filling
every inch of hotel and boarding house
accommodation, and drawing to full
limit on private hospitality. Even
then many were forced to sleep on
the floors, some on the billiard
tables, and even the welcome recess of
an occasional bath tab, was not despiIe6.
The president-elect enTered the senate
chamber shortly before noon. Senate
idiourned. VIce-president Morton then
took the oath of of1ise, and swearing in
the new senators began.
At 12:45 the president-elect reached
the outside platform and promptly began
reading his inaugural address, which is
as follows:
There is no constitutional or legal re-
qpirement that the president shall take
the oath of Office in the presence of the
people, but there is so manifest appro-
priateness in public induction to The of
fee of the chief executive officer of a
nation that froU the beginning OF the
government that people, to whose service
the official oath consecrates the officer,
have been called to witness. The solemn
ceremonial of an oath taken in the pres
ence of the peop pie, becomes a mutual GOV
enant. The officer covenants to serve the
whole body OF the people by the faithful
execution of the law, so that there may be
an unfailing defense and security of
those who respect and observe them, and
that nel' her wealth, station nor power of
combinations shall be able to evade their
just penalties, or TO wrest them from the
benefcent public purpose to serve
the ends of cruelty or selishness.
Ny promise is spoken, yours unspoken,
but not the less real and solemn. Peo-
pie OF every state have here their rep
resentatives. Surely 1 do not misinter
pref the spirit of the occasion when l as
sumo that the whole body of the people
covenant with me and with each other
to-day
and union of states, to yield willing obe-
dience to all laws, aud each to every
other citizen his equal, civil and political
rights. Entering thus solemnly into
oonvenant with each other, we may reveI-
emily invoke and con fdently expect the
favor and help of almighty God,
that he will give to me, wisdom,
strength and fidelity, and to our people
the spirit of fraternity aud love of right
eousuess and peace. This occasion de-
rives peculisr interest from the face that
the presidential term which begins this
day, is the twenty sixth under our corsti-
tuition. The first inauguration of Presi-
dent Washington took place in New York,
where congress was then sitting, on the
30th day OF April, 1883, having been
deferred by reason of 5lays attending
the or LaniZation of congress and the can
vass of the electoral vote. Our people
have already wOrthlly observed the cen
tennials of the declaration of iudepend-
ence, of the battle of Yorktown, and of
the adoption of the constitution, and will
shortly celebrate in New Yo-k
the institution of the second great de-
partment of our constitutional scheme of
government. When the centennial of the
constitution of the Judicial department
by the organization of the supreme court,
shall have been suitably observed, as |
trust it will be, our nation will have fully
entered it's second century.
I IL not attempt co note the marvel
Gus and in great part, happy contrasts
between our country as it steps over the
threshold into its second century of Or
ganized existence ander the constitution,
and that weak but wisely ordered young
nation that
LOOKED UNDAUNrEDLY DOWN THE FIRST
CENTURY,
When all its years stretched out before it..
Our people will not fail at this time to
recall incidents which accom- panied the
institution of the government under the
constitution, or to find ins piration and
guidance in the teachings and example of
WashiI gton 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 love of
liberty, that then fringed our Atlantic sea-
board. The territory of Dakota has now
a population greater than any of the Or
iginal states Except Virginis), and great
er than the aggregate of i've of the
smaller states in 1890.
The center of population when O ur
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
1880 it was found to be near Cincinnati,
aud the IeE census about to be taken
will show
ANOTHER STRIDE TO WESTWARD.