The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-03-12

There, III the presence of an immens
throng Chief Justice Fuller admins
tered to President Mckinley the brie
obligation prescribed to maintain thu
Constitution and enforce the laws of thu
United States, and President McKinle!
delivered his inaugural address.
Presidents Inaugural.
Fellow Citizens: In obedience to the
will of the people, and in their presence
by the authority vested in me by this
OATH l assume the arduous and respon
sible duties of President of the United
States, relying on the support of my
countrymen and invoking the guidance
of Almighty God. Our faith teaches us
that there is no safer reliance than upon
the God of our fathers who has so singu-
larly favored the American people in ev-
cry national trial, and who will not for
sake US so long as we obey his command
ments and walk humbly in his footsteps.
| The responsibilities of the high trust
to which l have been called-alWays OF
grave impOrtance-are augmented by
the prevailing business conditions, en-
failing idleness upon willing labor and
loss to useful enterprises. The country
is suffering from industrial disturb
ances from which speedy relief must be
had. Our financial system needs some
revision; our money is all good now, but
its value must not further be threatened.
1t should all be put upon an enduring
basis, not subject to easy attack, nor Its
stability to doubt or dispute. Our cur
rency should continue under the super
vision of the government. The several
forms of our paper money offer, in my
judgment, constant emba rrassment to
the government, and to a safe balance
in the treasury. Therefore, l believe it
necessary to devise a system which,
without diminishing the circulating me-
dunn or offering a premium for it's con-
ira elton, will present a remedy for these
arrangements, which, temporary in theil
nature, might well, in the years of our
prosperity. have been displaced by wiser
provisions. With adequate revenue Sc
cured, but not until then, we can enter
upon such changes in our finance laws
as WILL while insuring safety and volume
to our money no longer impose upon the
necessity of maintaining so large a gold
reserve, with it's attendant and inevita-
BILE temptations to speculation. Most OF
our financial laws are the outgrowth of
amended without investigation and dem
onstration of the wisdom of the pro-
posed changes. We must "be sure we
are right" and make haste slowly
IF, therefore, congress, in it's wisdom
shall deem 1t expedient to create com
mission to take under early considera-
tion the revision of our coinage bank
ing and currency laws, and give their
Iot yI,,,, -ti Il
ate examine ton that their choice de-
nands, I shall cordially concur in such
action If such power is vested in the
president it is my purpose to appoint
a commission of prominent, well-in.
formed citizens of different parties, who |
will command public confidence both or
account of their ability and special fit, .
ness for the work. business experience
and public training may thus be COM
Oined, and the patriotic zeal of the
friends of the country be so directed that
such a report will be made as to receive
the support of all parties, and our finan-
ces cease to be the subject of mere par
tisan contention. The experiment is, at
all events, worth trial, and. in my opin-
lon it can but prove beneficial to the en-
tire country.
The question of international bimetal-
ism will nave early and earnest atten-
ton. 1t VIII be my constant endeavoI
to secure it by cooperation with the
other great commercial powers of the
world. Until that condition is realized
when the parity between our gold and
silver money springs from, and is sup
ported by the relative value of the two
netals, the value of the silver already
coined, and of that which may hereafter
De coined, must be kept constantly at
3ar with gold by every resource at our
command The credit of the govern.
nent, the integrity of it's currency and
he inviolability of its obligation mus;
oe preserved. This was the command
ng verdict of the people, and it will not
la I'm hooded