The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-05
CENTENNIAL OF THELAW
TIE DAY LOWERING, BUT THE
AUDIENCE BRILLIANT.

Allen Butler Delivers the Grafton OF
the Day - Hon. Henry Hitchcock
Speaks on the Powers Of the Court
and the Constitution.
New YoaK, Feb. 4-The sad events Of
the last few days at Washington, including
the sad loss of the Blaine family and the
more tragic affiiction to the homo of Secre-
tary Tracy. dimmed considerably the cele,
bration of the centennial Of the federal
judiciary that was inaugurated this morn.
ing. The weather, too, seemed designed to
cast additional gloom over the great affair.
for as the morning passed away Disagree
able rain set in, growing heavier as the
hour for the exercises approached. The
attendance at the literary exercises in the
Metropolitan Opera House was the most
noted that ever filled tho magnificent
building. Distributed about the galleries
were banners and shields bearing the coats
of arms Of the various states in the United
States The interior of the building was
otherwise elaborately decorated.
ON THE STAGE.
On the right of tho stage in tho front row
were seated the members Of the United
States supreme court bench, Chief Justice
Fuller being directly beside ex-President
Cleveland, who presided. The Others seated
on the stage included ex-Justice William
Strong, Senator Evarts, w. b. Hill of
Macon, Ga, 4. j. Semmes of New Orleans,
Zen. VIM. Il. Sherman, Noah Davis
Chaunoey M. Depew, w. w. Astor, and
David Dudley Field, while a distinguished
Rathering were leaving their carriages at
the door, and filling the seats until there
NVa v tawa.a
symphony orchestra played the coronation
march, the overture from Tampa" and
the American fantastic
CLEVELAND cHEERED TO THE ECHO.
When the last air had been played ex-
President Cleveland stepped forward. He
was cheered 10 the echo, and it was some
minutes before be could speak BowinR his
Acknowledgements, and expressing his ap-
probation OF the general welcome accorded
him, Mr. Cleveland began his Introductory
address. The following is an extract:
We are accustomed to express on every at
occasion our reverence for the virtue and pa
triotism in which the foundations of our repib
lie were laid, and to re ioice In the blessings
vouchsafed to us under free institutions Thus
we nave lately celebrated with becoming enl
thusiasm the centennials Of the completion Of
our constitution, and the Inauguration OF our
first President. To-day we have assembled "a
commemorate an event connected with our
other gave safety and the promise Of perpetuity
to the American plan OF govern ment. and
which more than any other happily illustrated
the wisdom and enlightened foresight of those
VINO designed our national structure.
CREATION OF THE NATION.
In the work of creating our nation. the eIe.
ments OF free government we're supplied. by
concessions Of sovereign states, by surrondef
OF accustomed rights, and by the Inspiration Of
pure and disinterested patriotism. If from
these elements there had not been evolved that
feature in our federal system which is our
theme today, the structure might have BEEN
fair 20 look upon, and might have presented A
semblance Of soldty and strength; but ID
would have been only semblance, and tho
completed edihce would have had within In
foundations the inflrmity Of decay and ruin.
In the creation of the world, the earth was
without form and void, and darkness was upon
the face OF ths deep, until God said Let there
DO light, and there was light.
In the creation of the nation, our free institus
lions we're without the form and symmetry OF
strength, and the darkness of hopeiessDess
brooded over the aspirations Of our peopIsi
until light In the temple Of justice and law.
gathered from the divine fountain of light.
ni9med the work OF the fathers Of the rel
DESIRE OF THE FATHERS.
Our fathers had sacrificed much to be free,
Above all things they desired freedom to bd
absolutely secured to themselves and their
posterity. And vet, with all their enthusiasm
for that sentiment, they were willing to refer
to the tribunal which they devised all nuastions
arising under their newly formed constitution
affecting the freedom and the protection and
safety OF the citizen. Though bitter experi
ence had tau<ht them that the instrumentai
ties OF government might trespass upon
freedom and though they had learned ID
hard school the cost of the struggle
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 distracting per.
turbation; and they calmly and deliberately es.
tablished as O function OF their ROvernmeut a
check upon unauthorized freedom and re-.
straint upon dangerous liberty. Their attach.
ment and allegiance to the sovereignty of theis
states were warm and unfaltering; but these
did not prevent them from contributing fracs
ton OF that sovereignty to the creation of A
court which should guard and protect their new
nation, and save aud perpetuate a government
which should In all time to come bless an inde
pendent people.
FELT HIGHLY HoNoRKD.
deem myself highly honored by the part
assigned TO me In in these commemorative ex.
ercises. AS In eloquent and fitting terms we
shall be led by those chosen to address US, to
the contemplation of the history of that august
tribunal organized 100 years ago; as the livea
ana services of those who In the past have pre-.
sided over its councils are rehearsed to us; az
our love and veneration for our fellow country.
men who now fill its high and sacred places ara
quickened; and as we are reminded OF the mai.
ner In which our national court has ct all tim bs
illustrated the strength and beneficence of free
lHsLiLuIiOnB, teL US Dc Hlau IN Lno POSSESSION OF
this rich heritage Of American citizenship, and
gratefully appreciate the wisdom and patriot
ism OF those who gave to US the supreme court
OF the United States.
REV. MORGAN DIx'S INVOCATION.
Rev. DR.. Morgan Dix OF Trinity church
followed the ex- President, and the audience
rose and stood with bowed heads while the
reverend gentleman made the invocation.
He prayed that the federal bench would be
given grace and divine assistance to. carry
on the second century Of its existence as
justly as its first had been--ever rendering
Judgment that is just In closing, DR.. Dix
made allusion to the affiction that had been
met by Secretaries Tracy and Blaine, and
prayed that they might be aided to bear
their loss.
Ex-Judge William II. Arnouz, chairman
OF the judiciary centennial committee of
the New York state bar association, next
delivered an address of welcome Co the
court, whose members sat in their black
robes and paid strict attention.
THE ADDRESS OF THE DAY.
The principal address of the day followed.
1t was on ''The Origin of the Supreme
Court of the United States and its Place I'M
the Constitution and the delivery was by
the veteran lawyer William Allen Butler.
LII. ID. His remarks were frequently inters
rupted by generous applause.
Following are extracts from Mr.. ButIery
This commemorative hour sets before ous