The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-02-15
THE CENTENARY OF TIE SUPREME
COURT.

New York, Feb. 4.-rhe sad events
of the last few days at Washington
dimmed considerably the celebration
of the federal judiciary, that was begun
here this morning. The weather, too
seemed designed to cast ali additional
gloom over the great affair, for as the
morning passed away, disagreeabia
rain set in, growing heavier as the
hour for the exercises approached.
The attendance at the literary exer'
cises in the Metropolitan opera house
was the most notable that ever filled
the magnificent building. Distributed
about the galleries were banners and
shields bearing the coats OF arms OF the
various states In the union. The Int
rior OF the building was otherwise elab
Orstely decorate
On the right OF the stage, in the front
| row, were seated the members OF the
United States supreme court, Chiei
Justice Fuller being directly beside ex'
President Grover Cleveland, who pre-
sided Others seated on the stage iu.
cluded ex-Jusiice VIM. Strong, Senator
Evarts, T. j. j. Semmes, of New Or
leans; General William L. Sherman
Noah Davis, Chsuncey M. Depew, W.
w. AstOr, Charles Il. DAILY and David
Dudley Field.
While the distinguished gathering
were leaving carriages ut the door and
filling the seats until there was stand
ing room only, the Grand Symphony
orchestra played the Coronation march
the overture from "Zampa' and the
American tantasie.
When the last air had been played
ex President Cleveland stepped for.
ward. He was cheered 10 the echo
| and il was some minutes before be
could speak. BowiDg his ackno " J.
edgments and expressing his apprecia
ton of the generous welcome accorded
him, Mr.. Cleveland began his address
which was as tollows:- f.a.
MR.. CLEvELAND's ADDRESS.
owe are accustomed to express on
every tit occasion onr reverence for the
virtue and patriotism In which the
foundations of our republic are laid
and to rejoice In the blessings vouch
ssfed TO us under free institutions
Thus we have lately celebrated, with
becoming enthusiasm, the centenniali
OF the completion of our constitution
and the inauguration OF our fret presi-
dent.
To-day we have assembled TO com
memorate an event connected with our
beginning as q people, which more than
| any other gave safety and the promise
OF perpetuity 10 the American plan O
government, and which more than any
other, happily illustrated the wisdom
and enlightened foresight of those who
designed our national structure.
"In the work OF creating our nation
the elements OF q free governmen
were supplied, concessions OF sovereigr
states, by surrender of accustomed
rights and by the inspiration of pure
and disinterested patriotism. II iron
these elements there had not beer
evolved that feature In our federal sys
TEN which is our theme to-day, tb,
structure might have been fair TO lool
upon and might have presented sem.
blance OF solidity aud strength; but
would have been only semblance
and the completed edifice would hsv
had within its foundations the infrmit,
of decay and ruin.
alt must be admitted that il is hardl,
within the power Of human laDguag
SO to compass diverse interests an,
claims within the lines of a writtel
constitutio as TO free il entirely trou
disputes of construction; and certainl
diverse constructions were apt to lurl
in the dictiOn of constitution declares
by the president OF the convention
which formulated il, to be the resul
of spirit of amity and of that mutus
difference and concession which th
popularity OF our political situation
rendered indispensible.'
THE ARBITER OF THE NATION.
at is fairly pain and palpable, boil
from reason and q review of events i
our history. that without an srbiter 1
determine finally and conclusively tn
rights and duties embraced In the Ian
guage OF the constitution, the union @
states and the life of the American M
ton must have been precarious Gil
disappointing. Indeed, there coul'
hardly have been a we'll grounded hop
that they would long survive the Intel
probation of the national compact b
every party upon whom il rested, an
the insistence of each TO the last o.
iremily upon such an Interpretation q
would secure coveted rights aud bene
fts. and absolve from irksome dutit
and obligations
"ln the creation of the world, tt
earth was without form and vol
and darkness was upon the fac
of the deep, until God said, Il,
there be light and there was light.
"In the creation OF the new nstiol
our free institutions " ere without forl
and symmetry of strength, and Il
darkness of hopelessness brooded ov,
The aspirations OF our people, until
! light In the temple of justice and Law
gathered from the divine fountain (
light, illumined the work of the fathe
of the republic.
| "On this centennial day we wi
devoutly thank heaven for the revel
ton to those who formed our COVER
, ment Of this source OF strength 81
light, and for the inspiration of disiI
terested patriotism aud consecrate
devotion which established the tribun
\ which we to-day commemorate.
3 THE FATHERS WISE FORESIGHT.
, sour fathers had sacrificed much
be tree. Above all things they desire
freedom to be absolutely secured
themselves and their posterity. Al
yet with all their enthusiasm for th
sentiment they were willing to refer
the tribunal which they had devised 6
: questions arising under their new
formed constitution, affecting the FIRE,
: dom and the protection aud saieI
of the citizen. Though bitter exper
ence had taught them that the instr,
mentalities Of government might tire:
, fenn1nun and thn.,nh h.
had learned in hard school II
cost OF the struggle to wrest liber
, from the grasp of power, they refuse
in The solemn work they had IN han
to take counsel of undue fear or di
, tracing perturbation; and they calm
and deliberately established as q fun,
ton of their government check upC
unauthorized freedom and restrai
upon dangerous liberty. Their attac
ment and allegiance to the sovereign
OF their states were warm and unts
terimg; but these did not prevent the
from contributing a fraction of tn
sovereignty to the creation of q cou
which should guard and protect the
new nation and save and perpetuate
4 government which should in all tin
/ to come bless All independent peopl,
w deem myself highly honored
the part assigned to me IN these cou
memorative exercises. As in eloque
and fitting terms we shall be led
those chosen to address us to the CO.
temptation of the history OF that augu
} tribunal organized one hundred yea
; ago; as the lives and services of tho
) who in the past have presided over /
|, councils are rehearsed to us; as o,
love and yeneration for our fello
I countrymen who now NIL its high al