The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-03-11
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
President Mckinley Outlines the Policy of
His Observation-Disclosures a Firm
Foreign Policy and Opposes

Deficits.
The inaugural address of President
Mckinley is as follows:
FELLOW CITIZENSHIP obedience to
the will of the people and in their
presence, by the authority vested in
me by this oath, assume the arduous
and responsible duties of President of
the United States, relying on the sup
port OF my countrymen and invoking
the guidance of Almighty God Our
faith teaches that there is no safer re-
lance than upon the God of our
fathers, who has so singularly favored
the American people in every national
trial, and who will not fOrsake us so
long as we obey His commandments
and walk humbly in his footsteps.
The responsibilities of the high
trust to which | have been called-al-
ways OF grave impOrtance-are aug
mented by the prevailing business
conditions, entailing idleness upon
willing labor and loss to useful enter
prises. The country is suffering from
industrial disturbances from which
speedy relief must be had. Our finan-
cial 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
It's stability to doubt or dispute. Our
currency should continue under the
supervision of the government. The
several forms our paper money offer,
IN my Judgment, a constant embar
rassment to the government and a
sure balance in the treasury. There
fore, believe it necessary to devise a
system which, without diminishing
the circulating medium or Offering a
premium for its construction, will
present a remedy for those arrange
ments, which, temporary in their ma
ture, might we'll in the years of our
prosperity have been displaced by
wiser provisions.
with adequate revenue secured, but
not until then, we can enter upon
such changes in our fiscal laws as
will, while insurinG safety and volume
to our money, no longer impose upon
the government the necessity OF main
tanning so large a gold reserve, with
its attendant and inevitable tempta-
lions to speculation. Most of our
financial laws are the OutgrOwth Of
experience and trial, and should not
be amended without investigation,
and demonstration of the wisdom of
the proposed changes. We must be
both sure we are right and make
haste slowly" If, therefore, Con
gress in its wisdom shall deem it ex-
pedlent to create a commission to
take under early consideration the re
vision of our coinage, banking and
currency laws, and give them that eX-
haustive, careful and dispassiOnate
examination that their Importance
demands, | shall certainly concur in
such action. If such power is vested
in the President, it is my purpose to
appoint committee of prominent,
well-infOrmed citizens of different
parties, who will command public
confidence both on account of their
ability and special fitness for the
work. Business experience and pub
lie training may thus be combined,
and the patriotic zeal of the friends
of the country be so directed that
such report will be made as to re
ceive the support of all parties, and
our finances cease to be the subject
OF mere partisan contention. The eX-
pertinent is, at all events, worth q
trial, and, in my opinion, it can but
prove beneficial to the entire country.
The question Of international bimet-
allism will have early and earnest at
tention. 1t will be my constant en-
denvOr to secure it by corporation
with the other great commercial pow
ers of the world. Until that cOndi-
ton is realized when the parity be
tween our gold and silver money
springs from and is supported by the
relative value of the two metals the
value of the silver already coined, and
of that which may hereafter be coined,
must be kept constantly at par with
gold by every resource at our com
mand. The credit Of the government,
the integrity of its currency and the
inViOlability of its obligations must
be preserved. This was the command
ing verdict Of the people and it will
not be unheeded.
Economy is demanded in every
branch Of the government at all times,
but especially in periods like the pres
ent Of depression in business and dis
tress among the people. The severest
economy must be observed in all pub
lie expenditures, and extravaganza
stopped wherever it is found, and
prevented 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
expenditures. But the present must
not become the permanent condition
of the government. 1t has been our
uniform practice to retire, not IL
crease. our outstanding obligations,
and this policy must again be re
sumed and vigorously enforced. Our
revenues should always be large
enough t0meet with ease and prompt
ness not only cur current needs and
the principal and interest Of the pub
lie debt, but to make proper and lib
eraI provision for that most deserving
body of public creditors, the soldiers
and sailors and the widows and or
phans who are the pensioners Of the
United States.
The government should not be per
mitted TO run behind, or increase its
debt, in times like the present. Suit
ably to provide against this is the
mandate of duty; the certain and
easy remedy for most of our
financial difficulties A deficiency is
inevitable 50 long as the expenditures
of the government exceed its receipts.
1t can only be met by loans, or an
increased revenue. While a large an
nual surplus of revenue may invite
waste and extravaganza, inadequate