Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-03-08
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS.
Clevcland's Inaugural Address from the
Capitol Steps.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 4-The
inaugural address of Mr.. Cleveland was
as follows:
MY FELLOW 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 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, Oh unreSerVed and com
plete devotion to the interests and welfare
of those who have hOnOreG me.
l 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 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 Sut1iclency OF our institutions
to stand against the rudeSt shocks of viO-
lence, the wonderful thrift and enterprise
of our people, and the demonstrated
superiority of our free government, 1T
behOoVeS us TO constantly watch
for every symptom OF inSldiouS infirmlty
that threatens our national vlgOr. The
sturdy health courts the sternest activities
Of life and rejoices in the hardihO0d Of con-
slant labor, may still have lurking near
his vitalS the unheeded disease that d0OmS
him to sudden collapse. 1t cannot be
doubted that our StupenduouS achieve
mentS as people, and our GountryS rO-
bust strength, have gwen rise TO a 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. ManlfeStly
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
enlightened craftsmanship; and the danger
OF depreciation In the purchasing power OF
the wages paid to toll should furnish the
strongest incentive to prompt and con-
SerVatiVe precautl0n.
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
lmpunlty the memorable laws Of finance
and trade. At the same time, in our efforts
10 adjust differences of opinion, we
should be tree from intolerance or
passion, and our Judgment should
be unmoVed by allurlng phrases and
unveXed by selfish interests. | am conf
dent that such an approach to the subject
will result IN prudent and effective rene
dial legislation. In the meantime, so far
as the executive branch of the government
can intervene, none OF the powers with
which it is invested will he 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
al safety, another danger cOntrOntS us not
less serious. | refer to the prevalence of
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
OF willy craft the plan of rule our fathers
established and bequeathed to lis as an
object of our love and generation. 1t per-
VertS the patriotic sentiment Of our cOun-
trymen, ana temptS them to pItlful cal
culatiOn Of the SOrdid gain to be derived
from their governments maintenance.
1t undermineS the Self-reliance Of
our people, and substitutes III it's place de-
1t STILES the spirit OF true AmericanlSm
and StupetieS every ennObliDg trait OF
American citizenship. l he lessons OF pa
tcrnalism ought to be learned and the bet
ter lesson taught, that while the people
should periodically and cheerfully sup
lions do not include the support
of the people. The acceptance Of
this principle leads to a refusal of
bountieS and subsidies which burden the
lol@ hrif e Of oft
ZenS to aid languiShlng enterprises in
which they have no concern. 1t leads also
to a challenge of wild and reckless pen
sion expenditure, which oyerleapS the
bounds of grateful recognition OF patr-
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 i'll the
waste OF the peoples money by their
chosen servants and encourages prOdigallty
and extravaganza in the home life OF our
countrymen. Under our scheme of
government waste of public money is a
crime against the citizen; and the contempt
Of our people for economy and frugaity IN
their personal affairs deplOrably SapS the
strength and SturdlneSs OF our national
character.
1t is 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 cOntented and strong sup
port of free institutions.
One mode Of the misrepresentation OF
public funds is avoided when appoint
mentS to office, instead of being the re-
wards of partisan activity, are awarded to
those whose efficiency promises fair
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
demoralizing madness for spOils, civil
service reform mas found a place in our
public policy and laws. The benefits al
ready gained through this lnstrumentality,
and the further usefulness it promises, en-
title it to the hearty support and encour-
agement of all who desireto see our public
service we'll performed, or Who hope for
the elevation of political sentiment and the
publication of political methods.
The existence of immense aggregationS
of kindred enterprises and combinations