Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1897-03-12
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Delivered BY President McKin,
ley Thursday Afternoon.

said in substances:
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 ardu-
Gus and responsible duties OF presi-
dent OF the United States, relying on
the support of my country and inyok-
ing the guidance OF Almighty God.
Our faith teaches that there is no
safer reliance than upon the God oi
our fathers. who has SO singularily
favored the American people in every
national trial, and who will not for
sake us SO long as we obey His com
mandments and walk humbly in His
footsteps.
The responsibilities of the high
trust to which have been called-.al-
ways Of great ilnportance-ar aug
mentea by tho prevailing business
conditions, entailing idleness upon
willing labor aud loss to useful enter
prises. The country is suffering from
Industrial disturbances from which
speedy relief must be had. Our tinan-
cial system needs some revision; our
money is all good now, but it's 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. 1
believe it necessary to devise . system
which without dismissing the circulat-
ing medium, or Offering - preminm
for its contraction, will present {,
remedy for those arrangements, which,
temporary in their nature, might we'll
in the years Of, our prosperity. have
been displaced by wiser provisions.
Most of our financial laws are the out
growth of experience and trial, ana
should not be amended without in
We stigation, and demonstration of the
wisdom of the proposed changes. Ii.
therefore, congress shall deem it ex-
pelient to create q commission to take
under early consideration the revision
OF our coinage, banking and currency
ltws. and give them that exhaustive.
careful and dispassionate examination
that their Importance demands, J
shall cordially concur in such action.
Ii such power is vested in the presi-
dent. it is my purpose to appoint u
commission of prominent, we'll in
formed citizens OF different parties
who will command public confidence
both on account Of their ability and
special fitness for the work.
The question Of International BIZ
metallism will have early and earnest
attention. 1t will be my constant en-
deavor to secure it by corporation
with the other great commercial
powers Of the WORTH
The severest economy must be oh
served in all public expenditures, and
extravaganza stopped wherever in the
future it may be developed. If the
revenues are to remain as now, the
only relief that can come must be from
decreased eXpedltures.
The best way for the government TO
maintain it's credit, is to pay as it
goes-not by resorting to loans, but
keeping out of debt-through an ade-
quate income secured by a system Of
taxation, external or Internal or both.
1t is the settled policy of the govern
ment pursued from the beginning and
practiced by all parties and admin
istrations, to raise the bulk of our
revenue from taxes upon foreign pro-
ductions entering the United States
for sale and consumption and avoid
ing for the most part every form OF
direct taxation, except in time of war.
The people have declared that such
legislation should be had as will give
ample protection and encouragement
to the industries and the DEVELOPMENT
of our country. 1t is, therefore, earn
estly hoped that congress will enact
revenue Legislation that shall be fair,
reasonable, conservative and just,
and which, while supplying sufficient
revenue for public purposes, will still
be beneficial and helpful to every sec
tion, and every enterprise of the peo-
pie.
In the revision of the tariff. especial
attention should be given to the re-
enactment and extension of the re-
ciprocity principle of the law of 1890,
under which SO great a stimulus was
given to our foreign trade in new and
advantageous markets for our surplus
agricultural and manufactured pro-
ducts.
The great essential to our happiness
and prosperity is that we adhere to
the principles upon which the govern
ment was established and insist upon
their faithful observance. Equality of
rights must prevail and our laws be
always and everywhere respected and
obeyed. We may have failed in the
discharge of our full duty as citizens