Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-05
TERMS OF THE DISPATCH.
PITTsBURG, TUESDAY, MAR. 5. 1853
BUSIKEss-LIKE ADDRESS.


The inaugural of President Harrison yes
terday well becomes the average public esti-
mate Of the man. 1t is clear and strong.
The new President has not sought to cover
the earth, or the whole scope of the uni
verse, in the preliminary observations which
custom dictates President should address
to the people before settling down to the
everyday work of the position. His Ian
guage is that of man who knows perfectly
what he wants to say, and who stops talking
when he has made himself vigorously intel
ligible to all parties in interest.
Passing over the brief exordium, dignifed
and graceful, in which. in short space, is
compassed comprehensive statement of the
national progress, President Harrison comes
quickly to business. he loses no time in
affirming the protective tariff doctrine to
which he owes his election. His appeal to
the people South to consider their material
interests, is strongly put. Down in Dixie
there will be some to whom slavery days is
yet sore subject, and who may not like
the new rubbing of salt on old wounds; but
it is not as an enemy General Harrison
talks. When he points out the
prosperity of manufactures in the
free States of the North, and hopes for an
instructive illumination of economic ques-
tions through the whole South by every
new mill-fre that in these later days is
started in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia,
he speaks not as sectionalist, but as
friend, who sees with confidence the end of
sectionalism in the beginning of close
community and clear understanding of
business interests.
The personal pronoun occurs often
enough in the inaugural to refute any as
sumption which might at any time have oc-
cupied anybody's mind that Mr.. Harrison's 8
administration is going to be other than
his own. 1t occurs, however, without ego
tism in the narrow sense; but its frequent
presence conveys the strong implication,
throughout, that President Harrison has
been doing his own thinking and means to
continue on that line.
One of the most pertinent suggestions Of
the address is that to the corporations, COM
binations and the moneyed classes. These
he recommends tersely to live within their
legal limitations, so that others less favored
may not be taught to lose respect for laws
unequally observed. AS to foreign matters
the new President desires friendly relations
with the older powers, coupled with "confi-
dence" that these powers will not infringe
either the dignity or rights of the United
States. The source of this confidence is the
rirb4 one which fpr+bar an +ba D-ae;5ant
expresses very clearly when he states that
any such Infringement if attempted, will
not be permitted. In respect to the civil
service he excludes the idea of partisan
work operating as a disqualification, but
dashes ;he hopes of mere spoilsmen by dis
tinctlE declaring that the "eiYil service law
must be carried out fully in all the depart
ments, without evasion" Forthereduction
of the surplus, reduction of the in
ternal revenue is prescribed, the build
ing of warships, and, THE DISPATCH
is particularly glad to note, the establish
ment of steamship lines with South Amer
lea, to extend our trade in that quarter. 1t
munication between the great cities of New
York and Buenos AyreS can only be had to-
day via London or Liverpool, or some other
European port.
The inaugural urges further safeguards
for the ballot, and less bitterness in party
strife. 1t concludes with an eloquent
peroration paying as compact and sensible
tribute to the institutions OF the country and
to the temper of the people as has ever been
penned. On the whole, whatever differ
ences honestly exist in any quarter as to
this or that question of fiscal policy. there is
no right-minded citizen of any party who
will not indorse the inaugural tone and wish
abundant success to an administration that
lives up to its principles.
President Harrison makes a beginning
which augurs we'll.