The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-01-15
Inaugural Ceremonies.

The ceremony took place in the hall
of representatives amid a gathering Of
legislators, state, county and municipal
officials and friends of the incoming
and outgoing administrations. The sem
ate and house of the Sixty-first general
assembly met in joint session and the
body was presided over by Speaker
Andrew l.. Todd of the senate. Hail
to the Chief" by Tony Roses booster
band preceded the entrance of the in
augural party, after which America
WAS played as the vast audience stood
and joined voices in concert with the
band.
The Rev. w. M. Lantrip, pastor of
the Monroe Street Methodist Episcopal
church, delivered the invocation and the
chairman, Senator d. A. Burkhalter,
was introduced by Speaker Todd. Sena-
tor Burkha1ter welcomed those present,
after which the band rendered THE
Stars and Stripes Forever"
Gov. Roberts was then presented by
w. W. Bond. representative from Hay,
wood county. Gov. Roberts delivered
an inaugural address that for brevity
has rarely been equaled by any OF his
predecessors. The address was in
thorough accord with his desire for a
plain ceremony.
The address follows
"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentle
men: Permit me at the outset to ex-
press my deep gratitude to the people
of Tennessee for their faith in me ana
their approval Of my policies at the
ballot box in the recent November cleo
tion by majority of over $4,000 votes.
IL is my firm resolve, with Divine help,
so to discharge the duties Of the high
office of governor of Tennessee thai
those who thus honored me may not
have Just cause to regret their action.
1T Is also fitting that here acknowl-
edge my debt OF gratitude. to Gov. Rye
and his estimable family for the many
courtesies extended to the various mem-
bers Of my household. His gracious
words and kindly treatment have made
for him a place of affection in my
heart
TT is indeed a proud distinction to
serve as chief executive OF Tennessee
at any time, but count myself doubly
honored to be privileged to hold this
high station at the very dawn Of a
new era in the worlds history, follow
ing the victorious ending Of the great
est war ever, waged, in which our own
brave sons, by their unselfish patriot.
ism and valorous deeds, gave undoubted
proof that the unconquerable spirit o.
our illustrious ancestors abides with US
yet
within the last four years vast
changes have been. wrought through
| force have been leveled In the dust
and In their stead temples of liberty
and justice have been erected. based
upon the free will of the people, and
new states have sprung into being.
each with a constitution guaranteeing
the inalienable rights of the citizens
Grave dangers lurk along the path
way of all free states. Anarchy, So
cialism and paternalism are urged by
misguided men as panaceas for all gov
ernmental ills. Even in our own free
soil the seeds of Bolshevism have al
ready been sown, soon to germinate
and take root, unless prompt action is
taken to eradicate every vestige of it.
The remedy for these ills Is the abso-
lutte guaranty Of equality of opportu-
and the nation, and the maintenance OF
system of laws that insure justice to
every man. and the full protection OF