The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13
President Mckinley Sworn In.

This ceremony completed, both houses OF con-
gress and many Of the more-prlvileged specta-
tors adjourned to the eastern portico. There in
the presence of an immense throng Chief-Jus-
tice Fuller administered to President Mckinley
the brief obligation prescribed to maintain the
constitution and enforce the laws OF the United
States, and President Mckinley delivered his
inaugural address.
President McKInley's Inaugural Address.
FELLow-CITIzENs: In obedience to the will
Of the people, and on their presence by the au-
thority vested in me by this oath, 1 assume the
arduouS and responsible duties Of president OF
the United States, relying on the support of my
countryDen and invoking the guidance OF Al
mighty God. Our faith teaches that there Is no
safer reliance than upon the God OF our fathers
who has so slngularly favored the American
people in every national trial, and who will not
forSake US so long as we obey His
ments and walk humbly in His footsteps.
The responsibility Of the high trust to which
I have been called-alwayS Of grave Importance
are augmented by the prevailing business con-
ditions, entailing idleneSS upon willing labor
and loss to useful enterprises. The country is
suffering from industrial disturbances from
which speedy relief must be had. Our financial
system needs some revision; our money is all
good now, but It's value must not further be
threatened. 1t should all be put on an endur-
ing basis, not subject to easy attack, nor its
stability open to doubt or dispute. Our cur
rency should continue under the supervision OF
the government. The several forms of our pa
per llOuCS JIG IL Lg AAtAlt, q NyAAoAo1e
embarrassment to the government and a safe
balance in the treasury. Therefore, !
believe it necessary to devise a system which,
without diminishing the circulating medium or
Offering a premium for its contraction, will pre-
sent a remedy for those arrangements which,
temporary in their 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 fiscal laws as will, while
ensuring safety and volume to our money, nc
longer impose upon the government the necesSt-
ty OF maintaining so large a gold reserve, with
its attendant and inevitable temptations "a
speculation. Most OF our financial laws are the
outgrowth OF experience and trial, and should
demonstrations Of the wisdom OF
the proposed changes. We must
be both Sure we are right" and
make haste slowly. IF, therefore, congress in
its wisdom shall deem it eXpedient to Great q
| commission to take under early consideration
the revision of our coinage, banking and cur
| rency laws, and give them that exhaustive, care
tul and dispaSSionate examination that their
importance demands, 1 shall cordially concur in
| such action. II such power is vested in the
| president, it is my purpose TO appoint a commits
sion OF prominent, well-informed citizens OF
different parties, who will public con-
fdence both on account OF their ability and spe-
cial fitness for the work. Business experience
and public training may thus be combined, and
! the patriotic zeal of the friends OF the country
| be so directed that such a report will be made
| finances cease to be the subject OF mere partisan
contention. The experiment is, at all events
worth a trial, and in my opinion team but prove
beneficial to the entire country.
| The question OF international oimetallisn
viii have early and earnest attention It viii