Birmingham state herald., 1897-03-05

We can approach the problem calmly and patrioticaiiy without fearing It's ef- feet upon an early election. Our fellow citizens, who may disagree with us upon the character Of this legislation, prefer to have the question settled now, even against their preeonceived views and perhaps settled so reasonably, as trust and believe it will be, as to insure great permanence-than to have further than uncertainty menaced the vast and varied business interests of the United States. Again whatever action congress may take will be given fair opportunity for trial before the people are called to pass judgment upon 1t. and this, consider d great essential to the rightful, and last ing settlement of the question. In view of these considerations 1 shall deem It my duty, as president, to convene con gross in extraordinary session on Mon- day, the fifteenth day of March, 1897.
 In conclusion I congratulate the coun- try upon the fraternal spirit of the peo- pie and the manifestations of good will everywhere, so apparent. The recent election.not only most fortunately demcn- strated oblteration of sectional or geo. graphical lines. but to some extent also the prejudtce5 which for years have dlS- tracted our councils and marred our true greatness as a nation. The triumph or 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 the south no longer divide on the old lines, but unon principles and policies and in this fact surely every lover of the country Can find cause for true fellcita- ton. Let us rejoice in and cultivate this spirit; it is ennobling and will be both gain and blessing to cur beloved country If will be my constant aim to dos nothing and permit nothing to be done that will arrest or disturb this growing sentiment of unity and cooper alton, this revival of esteem and afIiLa- tfon which now awaits so many thouS- ands in both the old antagonistic sec tfonS, but I shall cheerfully do every thing possible to promote and increase it. Let me again repeat the words of the oath administered by the chief justice which in their respective spheres. so far as applicable, I would have all my countrymen observe:
 ''I 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 obliga ton have reverent- 1y taken before the Lord, most high. To keep it will be my single purpose, my constant prayer, and shall confident ly rely upon the fcf'beara.nee and assist ance of all the people in the discharge of my solemn responsibilities.
 Immediately after the close of his ad- dress President Mckinley and ex-Presi- dent Cleveland re-entered their carriages and were driven to the White House, amid tumuhous cheers along the route, President Mckinley this time occupying the seat of honor on the right. The pro- cessicn, re-enforced by the numerous civic orgs gsnizations which had been as- senbled on the Capitol Hill early this morning, reformed and marched down the avenue and past the White House where they were reviewed by the presi- dent and his friends from a. special stand erected for that purpose in front of the edifice
 William Mckinley then formally enter ed upon his duties as chief executive of a na ton of seventy millions of people and Grover Cleveland retired to his new home at Princeton, N. J., to resume the prac tice of law.