The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-03-11

Mr. Cleveland delivered his inaugural adj,
| dress as follows:
MY FELLOW C~ITIZESs:-In accordance with
| the mandate Of the people Of nv country ] am
about to dedicate myself To their serrice under
| the sanction of a solemn oath. Deeply moved
| by the expression Of confidence and personal
| attachment which has called me TO this service.
l am SIRE my gratitude can make no better re
turn than the pledge l now give before God and
these witnesses Of unrescrved and complete
| devotion TO the interests and welfare Of those
who have honored me.
/ deem il fitting on this occasion. while indi-
eating the opinions ] hold concerning public
questions Of present importance, to also briefly
refer to the existence " certain conditions and
tendencies among nur people which seem to
menace the integrity and usefulness OF their
government.
While every American citizen must con'em-
plate with the Utmost pride and enthusiasm
the growth and expansion of our country. the
suf1ciency Of our institutions TO stand against
the rudest shocks of violence. the wonderful
thrift and enterprise Of our people. and the
demonstrated superiority of our free govern
nlent, ii behoOvcs us TO constantly watch for
every symptom Of insidious infirmity that
threatens our national yiSor.
| TIL strong man who. in the confidence Of
sturdy health. CourtSthe sterncSt activities OF
life and rcjoirtS in the hartlihOOd Of constant
labor. may still have lurking near his vitals
the UNDECIDED disease that dooms him to sud
den collapse. II can not lie doubted that our
stupendous achievements as n people and our
country $ robust strength have given rise 10 a
htNtllfNNhNTS vi lltNE laws EpNtEtlLB our ma
tional health. which we can no more evade than
human life can escape the laws Of God and ma
ture.
Manifestly nothing is more vital to our su-
premacy as a nation and to the beneicient pur
poses Of our government than a sound and
stable currency. Its exposure to degradation
should at once arouse to activity the most en-
lightened craftsmanship: and the danger OF
depreciation in the purchasing power of the
wages paid TO toll should furnish the strongest
incentive TO prompt and conservative caution.
II aa14- rr.NA 49,
situation. as related to this subject. we will he
wise II We temper our confidence and faith in
our national strength and resources with
the frank concession that even these
impunity the memorable laws Of finance and
trade. At the same time. In our efforts TO ad-
Just the differences OF opinion We should be free
from intolerance or passion. and our judgments
should be unmoved by alluring phrases and I'M
yexed by selfish interests. l am confident that
such an approach TO the subject will result in
prudent and effective remedial legislation. In
the meantime. so far rs the executive branch of
the governments concerned. 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 confidence
In our country S greatness which tends 10 a dis
regard OF the rules OF national safety. another
danger confronts US. not less serious. l refer
TO the prevalence OF a popular disposition 10
expect from the operation OF the government
special and direct individual advantages. The
VI ouA VI IN ApllNitLlltu tut III
justice of maintaining protection for protec-
tion's sake, ~enjoins upon the peoples servants
the duty OF exposing and destroying
the brood OF kindred evils which
are the unwholesome progeny of paternalism.
This is the hane OF republican institutions and
the constant peril Of our government ty the
people. II degradcs TO the purposes Of willy
craft the plan TO rule our fathers established
and bequeathed TO US as an object Of our love
and generation. II pervertS the sentiment OF
our countrymen and tempts them 10 q pitiful
calculation of the sordid gain TO be derived
from their governments maintenance. 1t I'M
dermtnes the self-reliance of our people and
substitutes in 1t, place dependence upon gov
ernmental favoritism. 1t stiles the spirit OF
true Americanism and stupefes every en-
nobling trait Of American citizenship.
The lessons of paternaiism ought TO be un-
learned, and the better lesson taught that while
they periodically and cheerfully support their
government. its support does not include the
support OF the people. The acceptance OF this
principle leads to o refusal OF Counties which
burden the iator and thrift of q portion of our
citizens to aid I'll advised or languish- |
ing enterprises in which they have no
concern II leads also to challenge