Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-03-08
The Tnaug,.ral Address.

Mr.. Cleveland in his inaugural address
said
"Afy Fsllo,o- CftiseRs-In obedience to the
mandate of my countrymen | am about 70
dedicate myself to their service under tns
sanction of solemn oath. Deeply moved
by the expression of confidence and person
al attachment which has called me to this
service, am sure my gratitude can make
no better return than the pledge now give
before God and these witnesses OF unreserv-
ed and complete devotion to the Interests
and welfare of those who have honored me.
az deem it fitting on this occasion, while
indicating the opinions l hold concerning
public questions of present Importance, also
to briefly refer to the existence of certain
conditions and tendencies among our peo-
pie which seem to menace the integrity and
usefulness of their government. Whlle
every American citizen must contemplate
with the utmost pride and enthusiasm the
growth and expansion of our country, the
sufficiency of our institutions to stand
against the rudest shocks of violence, the
wonderful thrift and enterprise of our peo-
pie, and the demonstrated superiority OF
our free government, it behOoves US to con-
stantly watch for every symptom of insIdl,
Gus infrmity that threatens our national
yigOr.
SsThe strong man who in the confidence
of sturdy health courts the sternest activi-
ties of life and rejoices in the hardihood OF
constant labor may still have lurking near
his vitals the unheeded disease that dooms
him to sudden collapse 1t cannot be
doubted that our stupendous achievements
as a people and our country's robust
strength have given rise to a heedlessness
of those laws governing our national health,
which we can no more eyade than human
life can escape the laws Of God and nature.
"Manifestly nothing is more vital to cur
supremacy as nation and to the bench
cent purposes of our government than a
sound and stable currency. Its exposure to
degradation should at once arouse to actiy-
ity the most enlightened craftsmanship, and
the danger of depreciation in the purchas-
ing power of the wages paid to toll should
furnish the strongest incentive to prompt
and conservative precautiOn.
'In dealing with our present embarrass-
| ing situation as related to this subject we
will be wise if we temper our confidence
and faith in our national strength and re-
sources with the frank concession that even
these will not permit us to defy with lmpu-
nifty the memorable laws of finance and
trade At the same time, in our efforts to
adjust differences of opinion, we should
be free from intolerance ana passion and
our Judgment should be unmoved by al
Turing phrases and unvexed by selfish in
terests. / am confident that such an APP
proach to the subject will result in prudent
and effective remedial legislation. In the
meantime, so far as the executive branch OF
the government can intervene, none of the
powers with which it is invested will be
withheld when their exercise is deemed ne
cessary to maintain our national credit or
avert financial disaster.
"ClOsely related to the exaggerated conf
dence in our cOuntry's greatness which
tends to a disregard of the rules of national
safety, another danger cOnfronts us not less
serious. | refer to the prevalence OF pop
ular disposition to expect from the opera
ton of the government especial and direct
individual advantages. The verdict of our
voters which condemns the injustice OF
maintaining protection for projections
sake, enioins pom the peoples servants the
duty of exposing and destroying the brood
of kindred evils which are tue unwholesome
progeny of paternalism
tions and the constant peril OF our govern
ment by the people. 1t degrades for the
purposes OF willy craft the plan OF rule our
fathers established aud bequeathed to US an
object of our love and veneratiOn. IL per
verts the patriotic sentiment of our cOun-
trvmen aud tempts them to pitilul calcu-
Z a.. 4 I, La vol
their governments maintenance. 1t under
mines the selt-reliance of our people and
substitutes in its place dependence upon
governmental fayOritism II STILES the
spirit Of true AmericsniSm and stupefies
every ennObing trait of American citizen
ship.
The lessons OF palernalism ought to be
unearned and the better lesson taught, that
while the people should periodically and
cheeriuily support their government It's
function, do NOT include the support OF the
people. The acceptance OF this principle
leads to a refusal of bOunties and subsidies
which burden the labor and thrift of q por-
ton OF our citizens to aid i'll advised or lam
gushing enterprises in which they have no
concern. 1t leads also to a challenge of
wild and reckless pension expenditure,
which overleaps the bounds of grateful rec
OgnitiOn Of patriotic service, and prostitutes
to vicious uses the peoples prompt and gen.
erous impulse to aid those disabled in their
country's defense. Every thoughtful Amer
lean must realize the Importance of check
ing, at its beginning, any tendency in pub
lie or private station to regard frugality
and economy as virtues which we may safe
ly outgrow. The federation of this idea
results in the waste of the peoples money
BY their chosen servants aud encourages
prodigality and extravaganza in the home
life of our cOuntrymen.
Under our scheme of government the
waste of public money is a crime against
the citizens and the contempt of our peo-
pie for economy and frugality in their per-
sonal affairs deplorably saps the strength |
and sturdiness Of our national character
1t is q plain dictate of honesty and good |
government that public expenditures should |
be limited by public necessity, and that
this should be measured by the rules of
strict economy; and it is equally clear that
frugaHty among the people is the best guar
antee of h cOutented aud strong support of |
free Institutions.
cone mode of the misappropriation of
public funds is avoided when appointments
to office, instead of being the rewards of
partisan activity, are awarded to those
whose efficiency promises fair return of
work for the compensation paid to them
To secure the fitness and cOmnetencv Of an |