Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-03-09
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS.
Cleveland's Inaugural Address from the
Capitol Steps.

as follows:
Ny FELLOW CITIZENS: In obedience
to the mandate of my countrymen, am
about to dedicate myself to their service
under the sanction of solemn oath.
Deeply moved by the expression of conf
dence and personal attachment which has
called me to this service, l am sure my
gratitude can make no better return than
the pledge l now give, before God and
these witnesses, OF unreServed and COM
plete devotion to the interests and welfare
OF those who have hOnOreu me.
l deem it lifting On this occasion, While
indicating the opinions | hold concerning
public questions of present importance, to
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 Sutticlency OF our institutions
to stand against the rudeSt shocks OF Vlo-
lence, the wonderful thrift and enterprise
OF our people, and the demonstrated
superiority of our free government, 1T
benooves us to constantly watch
for every symptom OF inSldlous intirmlty
that threatens our national vigOr. The
Streng man who, in the coincidence OF
sturdy health courts the sternest activities
of Lie and rejoiceS in the hardihOod Of con-
slant labor, may still have lurking near
his vitals the unheeded disease that dooms
him to sudden collapse. 1t cannot be
doubted that our StupenduouS achieve
mentS as people, and our cOuntry'S rO-
bust strength, have gwen rise to heed
leSSneSS 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 the beneticent purposes OF
our government than sound and stable
currency. Its exposure to degradation
should at once arouse to activity the most
OF depreciation in the purchasing power OF
the. wages paid to toll should furnish the
strongest incentive to prompt and con
sentative precauti0n.
In dealing with our present embarraso-
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 efforts
to adjust differences OF opinion, we
passion, and our Judgment should
be unmoved by alluring phrases and
unvexed by selfish interests. l am conf
dent that such an approach to the subject
will result IN prudent and effective RENE
dial legislation. In the meantime, so tar
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 necessary
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 nation
oil of onnfhar
less serious. l refer to the prevalence OF a
popular disposition to expect from the OPP
Grafton OF the government especial and
direct individual advantages. The verdict
OF our voters which condemned the injury
of maintaining protection for projections
sake, enjoins upon the peoples servants
the duty of exposing and destroying
the brood OF kindred evils which are the
unWhOleSOme progeny OF paternallSm.
This is the bane of Republican institutions,
and the constant peril of our government
by the people. 1t degrades to the purposes
established and bequeathed to us as an
object of our love and generation. 1t per-
vertS the patriotic sentiment of our cOun-
trymen. ana temptS them to pltlful cal
culation of the sordid gam to be derived
from their governments maintenance.
1t undermlnes the self-rellance OF
our people, and substitutes Ill its place de-
pendence upon governmental favoritlsm.
it stiles the spirit OF true Amercanism
and stupefieS every ennobling trait of
American citizenship. The lessons OF pa
ternalism ought to be learned and the bet
should periodically and cheerfully sup
port their government, it's func-
ions do not include the support
of the people. The acceptance OF
this principle leads to refusal of
bounties and subsidies which burden the
labor and thrift of a portion of our citi-
zens to aid languishlng enterprises in
which they have no concern. 1t leads also
to challenge of wild and reckless pen
sion expenditure, which overleaps the
bounds of grateful recognition Of patri-
otto service, and prostitutes to vicious uses
the peoples prompt and generous impulse
to aid those disabled in their country's de-
tense.
Every thoughtful American must realize
the importance of checking at its begin
ming any tendency in public or private
station, to regard frugality and economy
as virtues which we may safely outgrow.
The federation OF this idea results in the
waste OF the peoples money by their
chosen servants and encourages prodlgallty
and extravaganza in the home life OF our
countrymen. Under our scheme OF
government waste of public money is
crime against the citizen; and the contempt
of our people for economy and frugallty In
CNo1T pCISOudl dldllS uCplOldUly odpo VIC
strength and sturdlness of our national
character.
1t is a 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 frugality among the people is the best
guaranty OF a contented and strong sup
port of free institutions.
One mode OF the transportation OF
public funds is avoided when appoint
inents to office, instead of being the re-
wards of partisan activity, are awarded to
those whose efficiency promises far
return of work for the compensation paid
to them. TO secure the fitness and COM
potency of appointees to office, and
to remove from political action the
service reform mas found place in our
public policy and laws: The benefits al
ready gained through this lnstrumentaIity,
and the further usefulness it promises. en-
title it to the hearty support and encour-
agement of all who desire to see our public
service we'll performed, or Who hope for
the elevation of political sentiment and the