The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-05
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Was Delivered in the Face or a
Strong Wind and Blowing
Snow.
Conservative in Tone Through
out, an Admirable Public
Speech.
His Declarations on tho Tariff Question
In Keeping with MIR. CIeveiand's
Well Known Views.

President Cleveland had subsided he deliv-
cred his inaugural address, as follows:
My Fellow Citizens-In obedience to the
mandate of my countrymen. am about to
dedicate myself to their service under the
sanction Of Il solemn oath. Deeply moved
by the exp ession of confidence and per-
sonal attachment which has called me to
this service, am sure my gratitude can
make no better return than the pledge !
now give before God and these witnesses of
unreserved, com plete devotion to the inter
ests and welfare of those who have homo ed
me. ! deem it fitting on this occasion,
while indicating the opinions / hold con-
corning public questions of present i'm.
portance, to also briefly refer to the exist
encs of certain conditions and tendencies
among our people which seem to menace
the integrity and usefulness of their GOV
ernment. While every American citizen
must contemplate with the utmost pride and
enthusiasm the growth and xpansion of our
country, the sufficency of our institutions
to stand against the rudest shocks of vio-
lence, the wonderful thrift and enterp ise
of our people, and the demonstrated superi.
ority OF our free government, it behooyes
us to constantly watch for every sympto
of insdious infrmity that threatens our
national vigor.
The strong man who. IN the confidence OF
sturdy health, courts the sternest activities
of life and reioices in the hardihood of
constant labor may still have lurking neur
his vitals an unheeded disease that dooms
him to sudden collapse. 1t cannot be
doubted that our stupendous achievements
as PEOPLE, and our country's robust
strength. have given rise to 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 US nation, and to
the benehcent purposes of our
government than a sound and stable cur
fency. Its exposure to degradation should
at once arouse to activity the most en-
lightened statesmanship; and the danger of
depreciation in the purchasing power of
wages paid to toll should furnish the
strongest incentive to prompt, conservative
precaution in denling with our present en-
barraslng situation az related to this sub
Ject. We will be wise if we temper our
confidence and faith in our national
strength and resources, with frank con
cession 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 or
passion, and our judgments should be un-
loved by alluring praises and unve1ed by
selfish interests. l am con tident such ap-
proach to the subject will result in D udent,
effective remedial legislation.
In the meantime, as far as the executive
branch of the government can intervene,
none of the powers with which it is in
vested will be withheld. when their exercise
Is deemed necessary to maintain our ma
tional credit or avert financial disaster.
Closely related to the exaggerated conf
dence i'll our country's greatness, which
tends to disregard of rules of national
safety, another danger contronts us not
less serious 1 refer to the prevalence of
popular disposition to expect from the op-
GRAFTON of the government especial and di-
ract individual advantages. The verdict
OF our voters, which condemned the injury
of maintaining protection for protection's
sake, enjolns upon the peoples servants
the duty OF exposing the destroying brood
of kindred evils which are the un whole
some progeny of protection. This is the
bane of republican institutions and the
constant peril of our government by the
people. 1t degrades to purposes of willy
craft the plan of rule our forefathers' es-
tabllshed and bequeathed TO US as the OBJ
ject of our love and veneratlon. IL per
vetts the patriotic sentiment OF our coun-
trrman and tempts them to the pitiful cal
culatlon of sordid gain to be derived from
their governments maintenance. 1t un-
dermines the self reliance of our peo-
pie and substitutes III its place
dependence upon governmental favortism.
1t stiles the spirit OF true Amaricanism,
stupetes every ennoblinR trait of American
citizenship. The lessons of paternalisn
1iD,, a a
taught that while the people should patri-
otically, chee fully support their govern
ment, its functions do not include the sup
port of the people.
Acceptance of this principle leads to the
refusal of bounties and subsidies which
burden the labor and Thrift Of II portion of
our citizens to aid ill-advised or lancuish-
ing enterprises in which they have no con-
cern. 1t leads also to n challenge of the
Wild, reckless, pension expenditure, which
overleaps the bounds of grateful recogn-
ton of patriotic service, und prostitutes to
vicious uses the peoples prompt and gensr-
ous impulse to aid those disabled in their
conntry's defense. Every thoughtful
American must realize the Importance of
checking, at its beginning. any tendency Ia
pubilc or private station to regard frugality
and economy as virtues which we may
safely outrun. federation of this idea re-
suits i'll waste of the peoples money by
Rallty and extravaganza in the home life of
our countrvmen.
Under our scheme of goyernm ent waste
OF public money IL crime against the cit
iHens and tho contempt of our people for
economy and irugalty i'll their personal
affairs deplorably saps the strength and
sturdineHs OF our national character. 1t ia
the plain dictate OF honesty and good gov.
ernment Tint public expenditures should DO
limited by public necessity; that this
should be measured by the rules of strict
economy. and 1t il equally clear that tru-
gRiity among the people is the best guat-
nnty OF a contented, strong support OF free
institutions.
One mode of misrepresentation OF public
funds Is avoided when appointments TO Of
fee, instead of being tho rewards of par
tisan activity, are awarded To those whose
efficiency promises full return of work for
the compensation laid them. 70 secure
htness and competency of appontees to
othco and remove from political action the
demoraliaing madness for spoils, civil ssr-
vice reform has found place in our pub.
lilo poliey and laws Tho benefits already
gained through this instrumsntality, and
the further usefulness 1t PROMISES, entltle 1t
10 the hearty support and encouragement
OF all who desire to aee our public service
we'll performed or who hope for the eleyu-
ton OF political sentiment and purtcat on
of political methods.
Ia t,t.,