The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-03-10
'THE INAUGURAL SPEECH
Text Of the Address Delivered by
Mr.. Cleveland Upon Taking
the Oath Of Office.
He Is Deeply Moved by the Elk
preston of Confidence by the
American People.
Warning Against Defying mex
Orable Laws of Finance.
Other Matters.

the complete inaugural address dellv-
cred by Mr.. Cleveland.
MY FELLOW CITIZENS:
| Tn obedience to the mandate OF my
countrymen | am about to dedicate my
self to their service under the sanction OF
a solemn oath. Deeply moved by the ex-
preston of confidence and personal attach
ment which has called ME to this service,
7 am sure nv gratitude can make no bet
ter return than the pledge now give be-
fore God and these witnesses, OF unre-
served and complete devotion to the inter-
ests and welfare of those who have hon
ored me. -,
deem it fitting on this occasion, While
Indicating the opinions [ hold concerning
public questions of present Importance, TO
also briefly refer to the existence OF GER
tain conditions and tendencies among our
people which seem to menace the integrity
and usefulness of their government.
Should Be Constantly Watchful
While every American citizen must con-
template with the utmost pride and en-
thusiasm the growth and expansion OF our
country. the suf1iciency of our institutions
| to stand against the rudest shocks OF vlo-
Ience. the wonderful thrift and enterprise
of our people, and the demonstrated supe-
| riority of our free government, 1T behooVes
us to constantly watch for every symptom
of insidious infirmity that threatens our
national vigor
The strong man. who, in the confidence
of sturdy health, courts life and reJolceS
in the hardihOod of constant labor, may
still have lurking near his Vitals the un
needed disease that dooms him TO sudden
collapse.
The Currency Question.
It cannot be doubted that our stupendous
achievements as a people and our coun-
try's robust strength, have given rise to a
heedlessness of those laws governing our
national health, which we can no more
evade than human life can escape the laws
of God and nature.
Manifestly nothing is more vital to our
supremacy as a nation and to thief bene-
icent purposes of our government than
sound and stable currency Its exposure
to degradation should at once arouse tG
activity the most enlightened statesman
ship, and the danger of depreciation in the
purchasing power of the wages paid to toll
should furnish the strongest incentive to
prompt and conservative caution.
Cannot Defy lneXorable Laws.
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
impunity the memorable laws of finance
and trade At the same time, IN our Ell
forts to adjust differences of opinion We
should be free from intolerance or passion
and our Judgment should be unmoved by
2 alluring phrases and unveNed by selfish in
terestS.
am confident that such an approach tt
the subject will result in prudent ano
effective remedial legislation. In the mean
time so far as the executive branch OF TIT
government can intervene none of thu
r powers with which it is invested will b
; withheld when their exercise is deemed
necessary to maintain our national credi
or avert financial disaster. Closely relatet
n to the exaggerated confidence in our coun
:. try's greatness, which tends to the disre
h gard of the rules of national safety,
;, Another Danger Confronts Us,
not less serious / refer to the prevalence
" of popular disposition to expect from tn
II operation of the government especial ant
,. direct individual advantages.
# The verdict of our voters, which con
/ demned the injustice of maintaining pre-
% lection for projections sake, enjoins upo
the peoples servants the duty of exposing
T. and destroying the brood of kindred evil
J. which are the unwholesOme progeny G
L paternalism This is the bane of Republ
10 can institutions and the constant peril c
"a our government by the people. 1t degrade
ID to the purposes of willy craft the plan {
to rule our fathers established and bequeathe
4 to us an object OF our love and venel
alton. 1t
T. Perverts the Patriotic Sentiment
Il of our countrymen and tempts them to
h. pitiful calculation of the sordid man to
!. derived from their governments mali
y tenance 1t undermines the self relianC
:, of our people and substitutes in its plaC
al dependents upon governmental favoritisn
1t stiles the spirit of true Americanisl
= and stupefies every enrolling trait
American citizenship.
"' Must Not Outgrow FrugalIty.
" Every thoughtful American must reali,
n the Importance of checking at its begil
ne ming any tendency in public or priva
O. station to regard frugality and econon
II as virtues which we may safely outgroy
"A The liberation of this idea results in tt
~ waste of the peoples money by the
~ chosen servants and encourages prodigalit
and extravaganza in the home life of OF
ed countrymen. Under our scheme of go
T. eminent the waste of public money is
v crime against the citizen, and the CO
Is. tempt of our people for economy and fir
nd gality in their personal affairs deplorab
40 saps the strength and sturdiness OF our n
tional character
The Lessons of PaternaIism
T. ought to be unlearned and the better IL
oh son taught that while the people shou
periodically and cheerfully support the
of government it's functions do not inclu,
is the support of the people.
The acceptance of this principle leads
Is refusal of bounties and subsidies, viii,
ai burden the labor and thrift of portion
no our citizens to aid ill-advised or languis
s6 ing enterprises in which they have no co
Germ. 1t leads also to challenge of wi
at and reckless pension expenditure, whi'
overleaps the bounds of grateful reco
ed milton of patriotic service and prostitut
:, to vicious U es the peoples prompt al
Vi generous il pulse to aid aid those disable
in their cou Itry's defense.
ng 1t is plain dictate of honesty and go,
government that public eXpenditur