The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1893-03-08
PRESIDENT OLEVELAND'S INAUGU.
RAJ ADDRESS,

the sanction Of q 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 complete devotion to the
interests and welfare of those who have
honored me.
deem it fitting on this occasion, while
indicating the opinions hold concerning
public questions of present Importance, 20
also 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.
While every American citizen must con-
template with the utmost pride and enthu-
siasm the growth and expansion Of our
country, the sufficiency of our institutions
to stand against the rudest shocks of yio-
lence, the wonderful thrift and enterprise
of our people aud the demonstrated su-
periority of our free government, it be-
hooves US to constantly watch for every
symptom of insidious in6rmity that
threatens our national vlgor.
The strong man, who, in the confidence
of sturdy health, courts the sternest aotivi-
ties of life and rejoioes in the hsrdihood Of
constant labor, may still have lurking near
his vitals the unheeded disease that dooms
him to sudden collapse.
Il cannot be doubted that our stupendous
achievements as people, and our country's
robust strength, have given rise to heed
lesgness of those laws governing our ma
tional 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 the benefoent
purposes of our government than sound
and stable currency. It's exposure to degra-
dation should at once arouse to activity the
most enlightened craftsmanship; and the
danger of depreciation in the purchasing
power of the wages paid to toll should fur
nish the strongest incentive to prompt and
conservative DreoRution.
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 confession that even these
will not permit Us to defy with impunity
the inexorable laws Of finance and trade.
At the same time in our efforts to adjust
differences of opinion, we should be free
from intolerance of passion, and our judg-
ments should be unmoved by slluring
phrases and unvexed by selfish interests.
I am confident that such an approach TO
the subject will result in prudent and effect
i've remedial legislation. In the meantime,
30 far as the executive branch of the govern
ment can intervene, none of the powers
with which it is invested will be withheld
when this exercise is deemed necessary to
maintain our national credit or avert finan-
cisl disaster.
Closely related>to the exaggerated conf
dence in our oountry's greatness which
tends to disregard of the rules of national
safety, another danger oonfronts US, not less
serious. refer to the prevalence of pOpu- |
lar disposition to expect from the operation
Of the government especial and individual
advantages.
The verdict of our voters which con-
demned the injury of maintaining protec-
tion for protection's sake, enjoins upon the
peoples servants the duty of exposing and |
destroying the brood of kindred evils which |
are the unwholesdme progeny of paternal-
ism. This is the bsne of republican institu-
tions and the constant peril of our