New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-05
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Mr.. CLEVELAND OUTLINES HIS POLICY. I
HE DENOUNCEs PROTECTION. BoUNTES. SUI
SIDES AND TRUSTS. AND DECLARES FOR
SOUND MONEY. TARIFF REVISION

SOUND MONEY. TARIFF REVISION
AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Washington. March 4.-President Cleveland's In
augural address was as follows
My Fellow Citizens: In obedience to the man
date Of my countrymen, am about to dedicate
myself to their service under the sanction OF
solemn oath. Deeply moved by the expression Of
confidence and personal attachment which has
called me to this service, I am sure my gratitude
can make no better return than the pledge I now
give before God and these witnesses of unreserved
and complete devotion tc the interests and welfare
of those who have hOnorcd me-
I deem it fitting on this occasion. while indt-
eating the opinions hold concerning public ques.
tOns of present Importance, to also briefly refer
to the existence of certain conditions and ten.
dencies among our people which seem to menace
the integrity and usefulness Of their Government.
While every American citizen must contemplate
with the utmost pride and enthusiasm the growth
and expansion of our country, the sufliclency or
our institutions to stand against the rudest shocks
Of violence the wonderful thrift and enterprise OF
our people, and the demonstrated superiority OF
free government, it behooves us to constantly
watch for every symptom Of 'insidious infirmity
that threatens National vigOr.
The strong man who, in the confidence Of
sturdy health, courts the sternest activities OF
life and rejoices in the hardihood of constant
labor may still have lurking near his vitals the
unheedcd disease that dooms him to sudden
collapse. 1t cannot be doubted that our
stupendous achievements a people and our
country's robust strength have given rise to
heedlessncss of those laws governing our National
health, which we can no more evade than human
life can escape the laws of God and nature.
pofhipp is vital IN
premacy as Nation and to the benefcent pur.
poses of our Government than sound and stable
currency. It's 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 conservative precautiOn. In dealing
with our present embarrassing situation as related
to this subject, we will be wise if We temper cur
confidence and faith in National strength and
resources with the frank concession that even these
will not permit US to defy with impunity the IN
eXorabla laws Of finance and trade. AT the same
time in our efforts TO adjust differences Of opinion
we should be free from intolerance and passion
and our judgments should he unmOved by ale
Turing phrases and unvexed by selfish interests.
] am confden. that such approach to the sub
ject will result in prudent and effective remedial
eeslation. In the mean time, so far as tne
executive branch of the Government can intervene,
none of the powers with which it is invested will
be withheld when their exercise is deemed neces-
sary to maintain our National credit or avert
financial disaster.
Closely related to the exaggerated confidence 10
our country's greatness which tends to a disrc.
gard of the rules Of National safety, another
danger confronts u.s. nor less serious. / refer to
~. Of ponuar 1isp0StiOn TO eXDeCy
from the operation of the Government especial
and direct individual advantages. The verdict
of our voters, which condemned the injustice OF
maintaining Protection for Projections sake,
enioins upon the peoples servants the duty OF
exposing and destroying the brood Of kindred
evils which are the unwholesome progeny OF
paternalisin This is the bane OF republican ln'
stitutions. and the constant peril OF our govern
ment by the people. II degrades 10 the purposs
Of willy craft the plan of rule our fathers es'a"
lshed and bequeathed TO us as an opJect OF ou'
love and veneration. IL perverts the patrlotic
sentiment of our cOnntrymen, and temptS them ="
n ntiful calculation of the sordid gain to be
derived from their Governments maintenance
II undermines the sclf-reiancc of our people, ano
substitutes in its place dependence upon Govern
mental favoritism. 1t stiles the spirit OF true
Americanism and stupefes every cnnoolIng tral'
Of American citizenship. The lessons OF pater'
nalism ought to he nnearncd and the better
lesson taught that while the people should
patriotically and cheerfuy support their Govern
mont its functions do not include the support
of the people.
OBJECTIONS TO BOCNTIES AND SUBSIDIES.
The acceptance of this principle leads to
refusal of bounties and subsidies which burden
the labor and thrift of a portion of our citizens
10 aid ill-adviscd anguishing enterprises IN
which they have no concern 1t leads also to o
challenge of wild and reckless pension eXpendi'
turcs which overleaps the bounds Of grateful
recognition of patriotic service and prostitutes to
vicious uses the peoples prompt and generous inn
mise 10 aid those disabled in their countrys de.
fence Every thoughtful American must realize
the importance Of checking at its beginning any
tendency in public or private station to regard
fruCality and economy virtues which we may
safely outgrow. The tOleration OF this idea re-
suits in the waste of the peoples money by their
chosen servants, and encourages prodigality ana
extravaganza in the home life OF our countrymen.
Under our scheme of Government the waste OF pub
lic money is a crime against the citizen: and the
contempt of our people for economy and frugality
in their personal affairs deploraby saps the
strength and sturdiness Of our National chaxs
acter.
It is a plain dictate Of honesty and good gov.
crnment that public expenditures should he limited
by public necessity, and that this should he
measured by the rules of strict economy; and
it is equally clear that frugality among the
people is the hest guarantee of a contented and
strong support of free institutions.
ADHERNG TO CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
One mode of the misappropriation Of public
funds is avoided when appointments to office. ii'
stead of being the rewards 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 competency OF
appontees to Office. and to remove from po-
litical action the demorahzing madness for spoils,
civil service reform has found place in our pub