The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-05

cast gloom over the dignined and notable
celebration here to-day Of the confennia, Of
the supreme Court. The previous arrange.
ments contemplated most elaborate AZ
wen as most decorous affair fttinglv
commemorative Of the foundation Of that
branch OF the government which is the
grandest bulwark Of American institutions
but the absence Of the President and the
distinguished guests from Washington, as
well as its mournful cause spoiled the
whole programme,
ilIE CEREMONIES
negan this morning in the Hctropoljf,n
opera House. where President (la,oiorJ
presided, and addresses were made by tho
chairman, william II. Armour. William
Allen Butler, Henry Hitchcock III aIieso,,ri.
Thomas }. Semmes, OF Louisiana. ~. Mn
lster Phelps, o. Vermont and Justice Fiold
Inc sptech making was intcrspersed with
music by the Grand symphony Orchestra /
aud the Lederkranz Society.
Al 1850 when Mr.. Cleveland took his /
place rs president OF the assemblace. there |
WAS loud aud prolonged cheering, and il /
was several minutes before the honorable /
tX-Prcsident could be heard. Mr. C;e,e- /
land Then IN clear voice delivered his in-
troductory address.
Ex-pREsIOENT CLKVELAND's ADpRrss
We are accustomed 10 EXPRESS ON e,orv
/ nj occasion our reverence for the virtue and !
/ patriotism IN which the foundations oil our
/ hcpuDhc were laid, ard 10 rejoice i'm the
dressings Nouchsaied % ms under free insti-
tnuons' Thus we have lately celebrated
Nltn becoming enthusiasm the centennials
, ~ 'Ic Coii lielion OF our Constitution and
the inauguration Of our first President
To-day we have assembled TO commence
rate an event connected with our beginning
as people, which more than any other
gave safety and the promise Of perpetuifv
20 the American plan OF government and
when more Than any other, happily illus.
I uateu the wisdom and enlightened foresight
Of those who designed our national strlic-
ture.
In the work Of creating our nation. the
elements of free government were sun.
| pled, by concessions Of sovereign States. bv
surrender accustomed rights and hv the
inspiration Of pure and disinterested patriot-
ism. IL from these elements there had NOT
been evolved that feature i'm our Federal
system, which is our theme to-day. the
structure might have been fair 10 look upon
and might have presented = semblance of
sohdity anu strength; but it would have
been only semDlancc, and the COMPLETED
eaihce would nave had within its f0unda-
lions, the inhrmity OF decay and ruin.
IL must be admitted that IL is hardly
within the power Of human language So 10
compass diverse interests and claims with
IN the lines Of written constitution, ~ 10
free IL entirely nom disputes of constuc-
tons ana certainly diverse constructions
were apt 20 Turk in the dictiOm of "a cousti-
titlon declared by the president Of the con.
Fention Which formulated it, 20 be "the re-
SUIT OF spirit Of smity and Of that mutual
difference and concession which the pecu-
liarity OF our political situation rendered in
dispensablev
IL Is fairly plain and palpable. both from
reason and review of events i'm our his.
tory, that without an arbiter 10 determine
nhailY and cOnclusiYely the fights and
duties embraced ia The language of the
constitution, the union Of states and the
NE OF The American nation must have been
pfecsrious and disappointing. Indeed.
there could hardly have been "A we'll
grounded hope that they would long sur.
NNe Inc Interpretation of the National Com.
pact Dy every party upon whom IL rested,
ana the insistence Of each % the last ex-
lfemity, upon such an Interpretation as
would secure coveted rights and benefits.
anu aDsolye from irksome duties and obi
cations.
In the creation Of the world. the earth
was without form and void, and darkness
vas upon the face Of the deep, until God
saIu iet there be light, and there was light.
IN Inc creation of the new nation. our free
institutions were without the form and SYM.
merry OF strength, and the darkness OF hope. 4
iessness brooded over the aspirations Of our
peoile' until light m the Temple of JUS
.lce ana Law, gathered from the Divine
Fountain Of Light illumined the work of
lhe fathers Of the Republic.
TOn TINS centennial day we will devOuuy
lhahk Heaven for the revelation to those
VINO formed our government Of this source
OF strength and light, and for the inspira-
'oh OF disinterested patriotism and conse-
Grated devotion which established the tri-
Dunsl which we to-day commemorate.
Our fathers had sacrificed much 10 be
lree. Above all things they desired free
dom % be absolutely secured TO themselves
ana their pOsterity. And vet with all their
enthusiasm for that sentiment they were
willing to refer to the tribunal which they
devised, All questions arising under their
newly formed Constitution, affecting the
freedom and the protection and safety Of
the citizen. Though bitter experience had
taught them that the Observation-Disclosures Of
government might trespass upon freedom.
and though they had learned in a
hard school the cost Of the strug-
Gle 10 wrest liberty from the grasp
OF power, they refused, in the
solemn work they had in hand. TO take
counsel Of undue fear or distractlng pertur-
tablished as aiunction ofther government, .
check upon Unauthorized freedom and a re-
straint upon dangerous liberty. Their at
tachment and allegiance 10 the sovereignty
OF their states were warm and unfaltering; ,
but these did not prevent them from con-
trbutng fraction Of that sovereignty 10 ,
the creation Of court which should guard
and protect their new nation and save and
perpetuate a government which should in
all time 10 come bless an independent pe0- ,
pie.
deem myself highly honored by the part
assigned 20 me i'm these commemorative [
exercises. As in eloquent and fitting terms 0
we shall be led by those chosen 10 address
us 10 the contemplation Of the history OF that
august tribunal organized one hundred years
ago; as the lives and services Of those who &
in the past have presided over its !
are rehearsed 10 us as
our love and generation for our fell
lew cOuntrymen who now I'LL its
high and sacred places are quickened; and q
as we are reminded Of the manner in which {
our National Court has at all .imes Illus
trated the strength and beuefcence Of free E
let us be glad in the possession
Of this rich heritage Of American citizen /
ship, and gratefully appreciate the wisdom G
and patriotism OF those who gave 10 us the !
Supreme Court Of the United states.
When Mr.. Cleveland. who bad been most /
received throughout, had G
finished speaking, the G.
REV. DIR. MORGAN DIX c
offered prayer, invoking the divine blessing 1
ln the vast assemblagc and their dOings 4
throughout the meeting lie spoke feeling
Is Of the sad bercaNements in the families Of
secretaries Blaine and Tracy, and moved
many OF the audience 20 tears by the touch
Ing manner in which he described the I
leath Of Mrs. and Miss Tracy.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME. O
Judge William II. Arn0ux followed in an C
address Of "WelcOme 10 the Court Mr.. Q
Arnoux was applauded during his remarks ,
and on retiring WAS greeted with Nociier-
,us applause.
ORIGIN OF THE COURT