Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-03-10

! resonant voice and without the slightest
nervousness or trepidation. At its con-
clusion there was general commendation
and applause. Mf cisveland said:
| My felow-citizens: In obedience to the
mandate of my countrymen, l am about
to dedicate myself to their service under
the sanction Of a solemn oath. Deeply
moved by the expression OF confidence
and personal attachment which has called
me to this service, am sure my gratitude
can make no better return than the
pledge. I now give before God and
these witnesses, of unreserved and CON-
plete devotion to the interests and well
| fare of those vito have honored me.
I deem it fitting on this occasion. while
| indicating the OPINIONS l Hold concerning
public questions of present Importance,
| to also briefly refer to the existence of
certain conditions and tendencies among
our people which seem to menace the
integrity and usefulness of their govern
nfnt.
While every American citizen must
contemplate with the utmost pride and
! enthusiasm the growth and expansion
of our country, the sufflciency Of our In
| stitutions to stand against the rudest
| shocks Of violence, the wonderful thrift
| and enterprise Of cur people, and the
demonstrated superiority of our free
| Government, It behooves us to constantly
watch for every symptom of insidious in
| trinity that threatens cuf national tigor.
| The strong man who. in the confidence
of sturdy health, courts the sternest
activities of life and rejoices in the hardi-
nooj of constant labor may still have
lurking near his vitals the unheeded
| disease that dooms MIN 10 sudden COL
lapse
1t cannot be doubted that our stupen-
dous achievements as q reople and our
country's robust strength have given
rise to a heedlessness Of ttose laws
governing our national health whlch we
can no more eyade than human life can
escape the laws OF God snd nature.
Manifestly nothing is more vital to our
sunremacy as a nation and to the benen-
cent purposes Of our Government than
sound and stable currency. Its exposure
to degradation should at once arouse 10
activity the most enlightened statesman
ship: and the danger of depreciation IN
the purchasing power of the wages paid
toll should furnish the strongest incentive
tn nronpt and conservative precaution.
In dealing with our present embarrassing
situation as related to this subject, we
will be wise if we temper our confidence
and faith In our national strength and
| resources with the frank concession that
a,.en thnse will not permit us to defy with
inonunitv the inexorable laws Of finance
and trade. At the same time, in our ef-
forts to adjust differences of opinion we
should be free from intolerance or pas
sion, and our judgments should be un-
moved by alluring phrases and unvexed
by selfish interests.
7 am confident that such an approach
TO the subject will result in prudent and
ae...t,,o ray,odio1 tAoiqlaff0n In the
meantime. so far as the executive branch
of the Government can intervene, none
of the powers with which II is invested
will be withheld, when their exercise is
deemed necessary to maintain our ma
tional 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 ma
tional safety, another danger confronts us
not less serious. I refer to the prevalence
of a popular disposition to expect from the
operation Of the Government especial and
direct individual advantages.
The verdict of our voters, which con-
demned the injustice of maintaining pro-
lection for protectors sake, enjoins upon
the peoples servants the duty of exposing
and destroying the brood Of kindred evils
which are the unwholesome progeny OF
naternalism This Is the bane OF Republi-
can institutions and the constant peril OF
our Government by the people. It de-
grades to the purposes OF Willy craft the
plan of rule our fathers established and
bequeathed to US as an object OF our love
and veneration. 1t perverts the patrlotlc
sentiment OF our countrymen, and tempts
them to q pitifu calculation Of the sordid
gain to be derived from the Govern
ment's maintenance. 1t undermines the
self-reliance of our people and substitutes
in its place dependence upon government
al fayoritism. It stiles the spirit OF true
Americanism and stupeies every en-
nobling strait Of American citizenship.
The lessons of paternalism ought to be un-
learned and the better lesson taught, that
while the people should patriotically ana
cheerfully support their Government its
functions do not include the support OK
the people.
The acceptance Of this principle LEADS TO
refusal Of bounties and subsidies, Which
burden the labor and thrift OF portlon
of our citizens. to aid ill-advised or IAN
gushing enterprises in which they have
no concern. 1t leads also to challenge
of wild and reckless pension expenditure,
which overlaps the bounds Of gratefui
recognition of patriotic service and pros
titutes to vicious uses the peoples promR
and generous impulse to aid those disabled
In their country's defense.
Every thoughtful American must real
lie the Importance Of checking at It's De-
ginning any tendency in public or private
station to regard frugality and economy
as virtues which we may safely outgrow
The liberation Of this idea results In the
waste Of public money is crime against
chosen servants, and encourages prool-
gality and extravagance in the home lie
of our cOuntrymen
Under our scheme Of government the
waste of public money is srime against
the citizen and the contempt OF our peo-
pie for economy and frugality IN their
personal affairs. deplorably saps the
strength and sturdiness OF our na'lonai
character.
It is a plain dictate of honesty and
good government that public expendl-
lures should be limited by public neces-
sty. and that this should be measured by
the rules of strict economy; and IL Is
equally clear that frugality among the
people is the best guaranty OF con-
tented and strong support or free ihsti-
tutions.
One mode of the misappropriation OF
public funds Is avoided when appoint
ments to office, instead or being tne re-
wards Of partisan activity, are a"arueo
to those whose efficiency promises iair
return Of work for the compensation palo
to them. To secure the fitness and com
pefency of appointees to office, and 10
remove from political action the de-
moralizing madness for spoils, civil SER
vice reform has found place IN our
public policy and laws. The benefits al
ready gained through this instrumental
itv and the further usefulness 1t promi-
sas. entitle it to the hearty support and
encouragement of all who desire to, see
our public service we'll performed or VINO
hone for the elevation of politicai sentI
,r;6ootiOn Of DOlittcal