The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-06
The NATIONS NEW RULER.
Continued From First Page.

will should not operate as an injury, but
a benefit. There could be no better time
to put the government upon a 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 will
than the obligation of immediate action.
1t has always seemed to me that the post
ponement Of the meeting of congress until
more than a year after 1t has been chosen
spiration of the popular will and the
country of the corresponding benefits. It
- evident, therefore, that to postpone &C
Etion in the presence of SO great a n~ecessi-
ty would be unwise On the part of the
executive, because unjust to the interests
Of the people.
partisan consideration than If the Ques-
ton of tariff revision was postponed until
the regular session of congress. We are
nearly two years from a congressional
election. and politics can not so greatly
distract us as il such contest was imme-
diately pending. We can approach the
fearing its effect upon an early election.
Our fellow citizens who may disagree
with us upon the character Of this iegis-
lation, prefer to have the question set,
tied now, even against their preconceived
views and perhaps settled SO reasonably,
as 1 trust and believe it will be, as to in
sure great Recommendation to nave
further uncertainty menacing the vast
and varied business interests Of the
United States. Again. whatever action
opportunity for trial before the people
are called to pass judgment upon 1t. and
this I consider a great essential to the
rightful and lasting settlement OF the
question. In view Of these considerations.
I shall deem 1t my duty as president to
convene congress in extraordinary session
on Monday. the fifteenth day of March,
THE COUNTRY REUNITED.
In conclusion, I congratulate the coun-
wy tn0n h frof0rnnV 0niri and n
manifestations of good will every where
so apparent. The recent election not only
most fortunately demonstrated the OBJ
lines, but to some extent also the preju-
dice which for years has distracted out
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
no longer divide on the old lines, but
upon principles and policies: and in this
fact surely every lover Of the country
US rejoice in and cultivate this spirit; it
is e%nnobling and will be both a gain and
a blessing to our beloved country: 1t will
permit nothing to be DONE. that will ar
rest or disturb this growing sentiment Of
unity and co,opsration' this revival ct
mates so many thousands in both the
old antagonistic sections, but I shall
cheerfully do everything possible to pro
peat the words Of the oath administered
by the chief justice, which, In their re-
spheres, so far as applicable, 1
would have all my cOuntrymen observe:
Il will faithfully execute the office of
president Of the United States and will,
to- the best of my ability. preserve. pro-
tect, and defend the constitution Of the
United States" This is the OBLIGATION
have reverently taken before the Lord
Most Highland I shall confidently rely
upon the fOrbearance and assistance of
all the people in the discharge of my
solemn responsibilities.
AS the president left the stand he
was escorted to the senate naval affairs
committee room, the lunch programme
being changed at the last moment. In
stead of going direct to the White
an hour was consumed. and Of
2:20 o'clock President Mckinley came
out of the main entrange of the senate
and entered his carriage, when the
parade moved, amid tumultuous cheers
all along the route. President
ley this time occupying the seat Of hon.
or to the right. The procession.
forced by the numerous civic O~rganiZa-
tons which had been assembled m 40
capitol hill early this morning, re-
formed and marched dOWn the avenue
and past I'll White house, where they
were reviet ed by the president and
his friends rom a special stand erect
ed for that purpos in front of the
edifice.
William Mckinley then formally en-
tered Upon his duties as the chief ex-
ecutive Of a nation of 70, 200, 900 of peo-
pie, and Grover Cleveland retired to his
new home at Princeton, N. j., to re-
sumo the practice of law.