The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-05

tnere WAS great anXietx with regard TO
our currency and credit None eS-
lists now. Then our Treasury receipts
We're Inadequate to meet the current
obligations OF the Government. Now
they are sufficient for all public needs.
ana We nave surplus instead OF a
deficit. Then | felt constrained to con-
Nene Congress in extraordinary ses-
sion 10 devise revenues to pay the or
binary expenses of the Government.
Now | have the satisfaction to an
nounce that the Congress just closed
mas reduced taxation in the sum OF
fortN-one millions of dollars. Then
there was deep solicitude because of
the long depression in our manufact-
uTlng, mining, agricultural, and mer-
camille Industries and the consequent
distress of our laboring population.
Now every avenue of production IS
crowded with activity. labor is well
employed. and American products find
good markets at home and abroad.
our diversified productions, however.
are increasing in such unprecedented
volume as to admonish us of the ne
cessity of still further enlarginS our
foreign markets by broader CONNER
clal relations. For this purpose recip-
rocal trade arrangements with other
nations should in liberal spirit be care
fully cultivated and promoted
The national verdict of 1896 has for
the most part been executed. What
ever remains unfulfilled is a continuing
obligation resting with undiminished
force upon the Executive and the
Congress. But fortunate as our con-
clifton is its perman ence can only be
assured by sound business methods
and strict economy in national admin
Istration and legislation. We should
not permit our great prosperity to
lead us to reckless ventures in bust
ness or profligacy in public eXpend-
lures While the Congress determines
the objects and the sum of appropria-
tons. the officials of the executive de-
partments are responsible for honest
and faithful disbursement, and it
should be their constant care to avoid
waste and extravaganza.
Honesty. capacity. and industry. are
nowhere more Indispensable than in
public employment These should he
fundamental requisites to original
appointment and the surest guarantees
against removal.
Four years ago we stood on the
brink of war without the people
knowing it and without any prepar-
alton or effort at preparation for the
impending peril. | did all that in
honor could be done to avert the war,
but without avail. 1t became inevi-
table; and the Congress at its first
regular session, without party divis-
ion, provided money in anticipation
of the crisis and in preparation to
meet it. 1t came. The result was sig
nally favorable to American arms and
in the highest degree honorable to the
Government. 1t imposed upon us OBJ
legations from which we cannot es-
cape and from which it would be dis
honorable to seek to escape. We are
now at peace with the world. and it is
my fervent prayer that if differences
arise between us and other Powers
they may be settled ~ peaceful arhi-
tration and that hereafter We may be
spared the horrors OF war
Entrusted by the people for a second
time with the office of President, / en-
ter upon its administration appreciat-
ing the great responsibilities which at
tach to this renewed honor and COM
mission, promising unreserved devo-
ton on my part to their faithful dis
charge and reverently invoking for my
guidance the direction and favor of
Almighty God. / should shrink from
the duties this day assumed If / did
not feel that in their performance l
should have the cooperation of the
wise and patriotic men of all parties.
1t encourages me for the great task
which | now undertake to believe that
those who voluntarily committed to
me the trust imposed upon the Chief
Executive Of the Republic will give to
me generous support in my duties to
preserve, protect. and defend the
Constitution of the United States,
and to care that the laws be faith .
fully executed" The national purpose q
is indicated through a national eiee-
ton. 1t Is the constitutional method
of ascertaining the public with When
once 1t is registered IL is law to us
all. and faithful observance should
follow its DEGREES.
Strong hearts and helpful hands are
needed. and. fortunately, we have
them in every part of our beloved
country. We are reunited. Section.
alism has disappeared. Division on
traced by the war maps of 1861. These
old differences less and less disturb
the Judgment. Existing problems de-
nIand the thought and quicken the
conscience Of the country, and the re-
spOnsibility for their presence as well
as for their righteous settlement rests
upon us all-no more upon me than
upon you. There are some national
questions in the solution of which pa
triotiSm should exclude craftsmanship.
take them off our hands nor facilitate
their adjustment. Distrust of the ca
pacity, integrity. and high purposes of
the American people will not be an in
spring theme for future political con-
tests. Dark pictures and gloomy fcre-
bodings are worse than useless. These
only becloud, they do not help to point
the way of safety and honor Hope
makeih not ashamed. The prophets
of evil were not the builders of the
Republic, nor in its crises since have
they saved or served it The faith Of
the fathers was a mighty force in its
creation. and the faith of their de-
scendants has wrought its progress
and furnished its defenders. They are
obstructionlsts who despair and who
would destroy confidence in the ability
of our people to solve wisely and for
civilization the mighty problems r,st-
ing upon them. The American people,
entrenched in freedom at home. take
their love for it with them wherever
they go, and they reject as mistaken
and unworthy the doctrine that We lose
our own liberties by securing the en-
during foundations of liberty to 9TH
ers. our institutions will not deterior-
ate by extension. and our sense of JUS
tice r'ill not abate under troDic suns in
distant seas. As heretofore. 80 here
after will the nation demonstrate it's
fitness to administer any new estate
which events deYOlVe upon il, and in
the fear of God will take occasion by
the hand and make the bounds of free
dom wider vet" If there are those
amoag us who would make our way
more difficult, We must not he dis
but the more earnestly dcd-
icate ourselves to the task upon which
we have rightly entered. The path of
progress Is seldom smooth. New things
r. often found hard to do. Our faith
ers found them so. We ind them so.
They are inconveuient. They cost US
somsthing. But are we not made bet
ter for the effort and sacrifice. and are
not those we serve lifted up and
blessed
we will be consoled. too, with the
fact that opposition has confronted
every onward movement of the Re
public from its opening hour until now,