The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-05
SUNDAY. MARCH 8. 1898.
MR.. CLEvELAND's INAUGURAL AD'
DRESS.


AS might have been expected from the
well-known character OF the man, Mr..
Cieveland's inaugural address was brief
and pointed.
Democratic party in its best estate upon
the currency, the tariff and pensions-the
three burning questions Of the day-and
to the welfare Of the people he pledged
himself before God and his witnesses
in an unreserved and complete devotion"
This vow, we believe. he will most
surely keep and perform.
On the currency question he could not
have been clearer or stronger. Laborer
and capitalist alike must feel comforted
and treasured to hear him say that
''manifestly nothing is more vital to our
supremacy as a nation and to the beneh-
cent purposes Of our Government than
q sound and stable currency" and follows
that up by declaring that 80 far as the
executive branch Of the Government can
intervene, none of the powers with which
1t is invested will be withheld when their
exercise Is deemed necessary to maintain
our national credit or avert financial
disaster"
He described the feelings Of thousands
OF Americans, when. IN speaking OF the
underlying principle of the protective
tariff, he said: ut undermines the self
reliance OF our people and substitutes
IN its place dependence upon Government
favoritism. 1t STILES the spirit OF true
Americanism and stupefies every emo
bling trait Of American citizenship"
The rejection OF the paternalism or the
protective theory of government directly
'leads also TO a challenge Of wild and
reckless pension expenditure. which over
leaps the bounds Of grateful recognition
OF patriotic service and prostitutes to
vicious uses the peoples prompt and
generous impulse to aid those disabled
in their country's defense"
So far so good-and very good-but we
DO not at all agree with Mr.. Clevelands
attack upon industrial combinations; for
he says:
"The existence Of the immease aggrega-
lions OF kindred enterprises and combina-
tons OF business interests. formed for the
purposes OF limiting production and fixing
prices. Is inconsistent with fair field,
which ought to be open to every indie
pendent activity"
The President is in deep water Just
here-no man has yet fathomed it--per-
haps no man ever will. Where competi-
ton ceases to be beneficial. and where
combination becomes better can only
BE- determined by experiment. There IS
ABSOLUTELY no fixed laws about 1t as In
Kepler's laws of motion.
But there Is a great Democrats prfn-
ciple involved, which so good q Demo-
Graf as Mr.. Cleveland should not have
overlooked. and that is for the Govern
ment TO let people alone and not inter
fsre in their business SO long as they
keep the peace and do not cheat or steal
from each other. What would have been
considered by our fathers Immense az
gregaions Of kindred enterprises" are
now carried on by single firm.
We have more faith In the gradual
evolution Of the truth In this matter
than In the Eek cathedra" declaration
OF even such a man as Grover Cleve-
land
He was, however, but just and moderate
when he declared In respect to the al
terations OF the tariff that while there
should be no surrender OF principle, our
task must be undertaken wisely and with
out vindicuveness. Our mission Is not
punishment. but rectifcation OF wrongs.
II in lifting burdens from the daily life
OF our people we reduce inordlnate and
unequal advantages too long enjoyed.
this Is but a necessary incident Of our
return to right and Justice"
Altogether the address Will give the
same comfort and assurance to loyal De-
mocratic hearts that devout church.
Eosrs have In hearing well-known and
favorite passages of Scripture read by a
beloved pastor.
Nothing novel. but plain, simple truth.
nrmly and clearly stated by a man who
means what he says.