The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1901-03-09
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESSES.

President Mckinley, on taking the
oath of Office, delivered his inaugural
address as follows.
Ny Fellow CitIzens-When we assembled
here on the fourth OF March, 1897, there
rency and credit. None exists now. Then
our treasury receipts were inadequate TO
meet the current obligations OF the gov
eminent. Now they are sufficient for all
public needs, and we have a surplus in
stead Of deficit Then felt constrained
20 convene the congress In extraordinary
session to devise revenues to pay the or
binary expenses Of the government, Now,
] have the satisfaction to announce that
the congress just closed has reduced tax.
alton in tho sum Of forty-one millions of
dollars Then there was deep solicitude
because Of the long depression In our
manufacturing, lining. agricultural and
mercantile industries, and the consequent
distress OF our laboring population. Now
every avenue OF production Is crowded
with activity labor IL well employed and
American products mud good markets at
home and abroad, Our diversified produce
lions, however, are increasing In such In-
precedented volume az to admonish us OF
the necessity OF still further charging our
foreign markets by broader commercial
relations. For this purpose reciprocal
should In liberal spirit be carefully cultl-
waited and promoted,
The national verdict Of 1896 has for the
most part boon executed. Whatever remains
unfuiliied Is a continuing obligation rest
ing with undimnishsd force upon the exc
cutlve and the congress. But, fortunate
a. our condition IL, Its permanence can
only be assured by sound business meth.
eds and strict economy In national al.
minstration and Legislation. We should
not permit our great prosperity to lead
w to reckless Ventures In business or
profigacy In public expenditures, While
the congress determines the objects and
the sum OF appropriations, tho officials VI
tho executive departments are responsible
for honest and faithful disbursement, and
Il should be their constant care to avoid
waste and extravaeance
Honesty, capacity und Industry are no.
where more Indispensable than In public
employment, These should be fundamen-
tai requisites to original appointment, and
the surest guarantees against removal,
wa w Sso SS nSDa on tSs brink
and without any. preparation or effort ~
preparation for the impending, peril did
all that IN honor could be done to avert
tho war; but without avail. II became
Inevitable. ana the congress ut Its first
regular session, without party division,
provided money IN NJ ticlpation OF the
crisis, ano In preparation to meet It. II
came, The result was slgnally favorable
gree honorable to the government, II Inn
posed upon VA obligations from which we
can not escape, and from which 1. would
be dishonorable TO seek TO escape. We are
now mt peace with the world, and Il IN my
fervent prayer that II differences arise 90.
tween us and other powers they may he
settled by peaceful arbitration, and hat
hereafter we may be spared the horrors
Instructed by tho people for a second
time with the Office az president, | ehtor
upon Its administration apprcoiOting Tho
great responsibilities which attach TO THIS
renewed honor and commission, promising
unreservod devotion on my part to their
faithful discharge md revercntly invok.
Ing for my guidance the direction and fa.
vor OF Almighty God. | should shrink
from the duties this day assumed II | did
not feel that, In their performance
should have the cooperation OF the whpe
and patriotic men OF all parties. II on
courages me. for the great task which !
now undertake, 70 believe that those who
posed upon the chief executive OF tho
republic, VIII awe TO me generous sup.
port IN my duties % preserve, protoc,
and defend the constitution Of. the United
faithfully executed" Tho national ali aTs pu re-
pose IL Indicated through national clsc.
ton. II IN the constitutional method Of
nscertaining the public, will Whom once
faithful observance should follow liz do.
crces.
strong hearts and helpful hands ara
needed. and, fortunately we have them In
every part OF our beloved country, No
are reunited, soctlonnllsm has dlsap-
pcared, Division On public question: oI,n
no longer be traced by the war mapa Of
lsel, These old differences less and less
disturb the judgment, Existing problems
demand the thought and quicken the con.
science or tho country, and the reaponAi-
hility Tor their presence aH well IA Tor
their righteous settlement rests upon US
hl-no more upon me than upon YOU
There are some national questions In the
solution OF which Patriotism should exc
cludo parlennshlp Mugnlfylng their dil-
houltles VIII not take them on our hands,
nor facilitate their adjustment, DIatruit
OF the capacity integrity and high pur.
poses or the American people Will not DO
an inspiring theme for future political
contests Dark pictures, aud gloomy fore
emily becloud, they do not help to point
the way OF safety and honor. Hope
meketh not ashamed" The prophets OF
evil were not the builders OF the republic,
nor In Its criaer since have they saved Of
served II, The faith Of the fathers was u
mighty force IN It's creation, ana the faith
uf their descendants has wrought It's prog
ross and furnished ita defenders, They
are obstiuctionIrts who despair, and who
would destroy confidence IN the ability
q .our. people 10 solve wisely, and for
oivlilsation, ths mighty problems resting
upon ,,as !her r. Ths american people, n.
love icr Il Win Them - wSsrsver hey ' 10,
ana they reject as mistaken and IN.
wnrthy the doctrine that We lose our ,wn
llbertien by. securing tho enduring founda.
0ets Of liberty 10 others, Our tnstitu.