Omaha daily bee., 1889-03-05
THE INAUorRAL ADDRESS

TGltTBUNe IO J06 century vi
constitutional government which the
United States has passed. He
contrasts in general way the condi-
tons at the outset OF the great expert
mcnt in republican government with
those OF the present, and to the policy
early adopted OF making the people of
the country self-dependent ascribes the
material and moral progress OF the ma
ton. The revival of the same patriotic
interest in the preservation and devel-
opmeut of domestic industries and the
defense OF labor against injurious for
eign competition is regarded as an
| incident worthy Of attention, and Presi-
dent Harrison plainly states his position
| on the question OF protection in this
language "I look hopefully to the
| continuance OF our protective system,
and to the consequent development OF
manufacturing and mining enterprises
| in states hitherto wholly given to agri-
| culture, as a potent influence in the per-
| feet unifcation Of our people," He
| takes occasion in connection with the
discussion OF this theme to suggest that
| the men OF the south who are promoting
| mining and manufacturing enterprises
| may yet fnd that the free ballot OF the
| workingman, without distinction of race,
| is needed for their defense as well as
| for his own.
Those who had expected or hoped for
| distinct southern policy from the next
administration will be disappointed in
| the assurance given by President Harri-
son that there will be no special execu
tive policy for any section OF the coun-
| try. But his views OF the constitutional
duty of the president, which is limited
to administering and enforcing the
laws enacted by congress, will be ap-
proved by all good citizens. The OBJ
| legation OF all to give full and faith
full obedience to the laws, and
the necessity to social order and pros
| perity OF such obedience, are urged in
| clear and positive terms. This sem
tence is significant: ''If our great cor
porations would more scrupuiously OBJ
serve their legal limitations and duties,
they would have less cause to complain
of the unlawful limitations of their
rights, of violent interference with their
| operations. The president plainly indi
Gates that he has no sympathy with
those whose selfshness or prejudice
| lead them to nullify the laws, and de-
clares that permitting them to do SO is
| full of danger to the nation.
The president is in favor of the nat
| uralization laws so that the high
| privileges of American citizenship shall
| be conferred only upon those fitted for
| them, and while we should continue to
be hospitable to immigration we should
| not be careless as to the character of it.
| Regarding our relations with European
powers the position of the president is
| in full harmony with the traditional
| larly with respect to political
interference by any of these pow
ers with the affairs or governments
| OF this hemispere. A straightforward,
| just and firm course in ourinternational
relations, respecting the rights of other
nations and insisting upon our own, is
| what is promised by the new admins
| tration.
What President Harrison says regard
| lhS w PiDiiO oihSC anu
the obligations of public officers will
oe generally approved. He will expect
| a faithful enforcement of the civil serv-
| ice law and will endeavor to advance
| reform OF the civil service, but he does
| not promise to attain perfection, nor
does he propose to disregard the claims
| OF honorable party service when
| these can receive consideration without
conflicting with the policy of reform.
The evil of a surplus in the treasury is
conceded, but the president does not re-
gard it as the greatest evil. While
| economy IN public expenditures should
| be always observed, the president
thinks there is nothing In the condi-
tion of our country or our people to sug-
gest that anything at present necessary
to public prosperity, security or honor
should be unduly postponed. When
these extraordinary demands, some
of which are indicated, have
been wisely estimated and added
to our ordinary expenditures, the
president thinks the necessary reduc-
| tion in revenue may be effected without
breaking down the tariff or seriously
injuring any domestic industry.
The president thinks the pension
laws should give more adequate and dis
criminating relief, refers to the pros
pective admission of four states as a
subject of congratulation, alludes to the
general interest in reform of election
laws as gratifying, and concludes his
address with an appeal to exalt patriot
| ism and moderate party contentious.
| The address is elevated in tone and
spirit, is free from partisan allusion, is
thoroughly American in sentiment, and
will strengthen the new president in
| the respect ana confidence of the peo-
pie. -.--
KEEP APPROPRIATIONS DOWN.
The closing days of every legislature
| are the. most costly to the people. Hun