Evening star., 1897-03-04

places the responsibility of such neglect
upon the executive himself. The condition
of the public treasury, has been indi-
Gated. demands the immediate considera-
ton of Congress. 1t alone has the power
to provide revenues for the government.
Not to convene it under such circum-
stances 1 can view i'm no other sense than
the neglect of a plain duty. 1 do not sym
pathize with the sentiment that Congress
in session Is dangerous to our general bust
ness interests Its members are the agents
of the people, and their presence at the
seat of government in the execution OF the
sovereign will should not operate as an
injury, but a benefit There could he TO
better time to put the government upon
sound financial and economic basis than
now. The people have only recently voted
that this should be done. and nothing is
more binding upon the agents of their viii
than the obligation of immediate action. 1t
has always seemed to me that the post
ponement of the meeting of Congress until
| more than year after it has been chosen
deprived Congress too often of The inspira-
| ton of the popular will and the country
of the corresponding benefits. 1t is evil
dent. therefore, that to postpone action IN
the presence of SO great a necessity would
| be unwise on the part of the executive,
because unjust to the interests of the peo-
| pie. Our actions now Will he freer from
| mere partisan consideration than II the
question Of tariff revision was postponed
until the regular session of Congress We
are nearly two years from congressional
| election, and politics cannot so greatly dis
tract us as If such contest was immediate-
! ly pending. We can approach the problem
| calmly and periodically without fearing
| its effect upon an early election. Our fei-
| low-citizenS who may disagree with US
| upon the character of this legisla ton, pre-
| fer to have the question settled now, even
| against their preconceiyed yiews-and per-
| haps settled so reasonably. as L trust ana
| believe ii will be, as to insure Sfeat per
| manence-ttan to have further uncertainty
| menacing the vast and varied business in
| terests OF the United States. Again. what
| ever action Congress may take Will he given
| a fair opportunity for trial before the peo-
| pie are called to pass judgment upon ~,
| and this / consider a great essential 10
| the rightful and lasting settlement OF the
| question. In view of these considerations,
| l shall deem il my duty as President 10
| convene Congress in extraordinary session
| on Monday. the 18th day of March, lSsi-
The Country COnErntulated.
| In conclusion, 1 congratulate the country
| upon the fraternal spirit of the people
and the manifestation of good will every
| where so apparent. The recent election
| not only most fortunately demonstrated
| the obliteration of sectional or geographl-
| cal lines. but to some extent also the pref
| l.dices which for years have distracted our
| councils and marred our true greatness as
| a nation. The triumph of the people, whose
| verdict is carried into effect today, Is not
| the triumph of one section. nor wholly of
| one party. but of all sections and all the
| people. The north and south no longer
|
| and policies; and in this fact surely every
| lover of the country can find cause for true
| felicitation. Let rejoice in and culti-
vate this spirit: IT is ennoblng and will
| be both a gain and blessing to our beloved
| country. 1t will be my constant aim to do
| nothing, and permit nothing to be done,
that will arrest or disturb this growing
| sentiment of unity and cooperation, this
| revival of esteem and affiliation which
| now animates so many thousands in both
the old antagonistic sections. but 1 shall
cheerfully do everything possible to pro-
mote and increase 1t.
Let me again repeat the words of the
oath administered by the Chief Justice.
which. in their respective spheres. SO far
applicable, L would have all my couu-
trymen observe:
Il will faithfully execute the Office of
President of the United States, and will.
| to the best of my ability, preserve. protect
| and defend the Constitution of the United
| States"
| This is the obligation I have reverently
taken before the Lord Most High. To
I keep it will be my single purpose; my corr
slant prayer-and 1 shall confidently rely
| upon the forbearance and assistance of
all the people in the discharge Of my SOL
| emn responsibilities.
At 2:03. amid the cheers and hurrahs of
the vast multitude, Mr.. Mckinley closed
his inaugural address
Mr.. McKinleys reference to lynching and
declaration that 1T should be done away
with and give place to law, evoked a
chorus of cheers that were taken up with
especial fervor by the colored men, who
| had gained places near the stand
| 1t was ten minutes after 1 o'clock when
the President appeared on the steps Of the
Senate wing of the Capitol. The crowd
| cheered loudly. and hats were removed
from several acres Of heads.
| Mrs. Mckinley was the first of the pres-
| idential party to appear on the stand She
was extremely pale and seemed to be H.
She vas supported by Secretary Porter ard
Mr.. Bell. one on either side. and proceeded
| With apparent feebleness. Immediately be-
hind was the Presidents mother and his
! brother Abner.
The Inauguration I'm Print.
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