Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-03-14
PRESIDENT MCKTNLEY'S
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

OWtng Is the text of President McKin-
ley's inaugural address:
Ny Fellow Citizens: When we as
sembled here on March 4, 1897, there
was great anxiety with regard to our
currency and credit. None exists now.
Then our treasury receipts were mad
eQuate to meet the current obligations
Of the government. Now they are suf-
dcient for all public needs and we have
q surplus instead of a deficit. Then
felt constrained to convene the congress
In extraordinary session to devise rev.
enues to pay the ordinary expenses of
the government. Now L have the sat
isfaction to announce that the congress
just closed has reduced taxation IN the
sum of $41, 000 900. Then there was deep
solicitude because of the long depres-
sion in our manufacturing, mining, ag-
rtcultural and mercantile industries and
the consequent distress Of our laboring
population. NOW every avenue OF pro-
duction 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 neces-
sity of still further charging our for
eign markets by broader commercial
relations. For this purpose reciprocal
trade arrangements with other nations
should in liberal spirit be carefully Gull
tiVated and promoted.
The national verdict of 1896 has for
the most part been executed. What
ever remains unfulflled is a continuing
obligation resting with undiminished
force upon the executive and the con-
gress. But fortunate as our condition
Is its permanence can only be assured
by sound business methods and strict
economy in national administration and
Legislation. We should not permit our
great prosperity to lead US to reckless
ventures in business or prohgacy in
our expenditures. While the congress
determines the objects and the sum Of
appropriations the officials of the eX-
ecutiVe departments are responsible for
honest and faithful disbursement and it
should be their constant care to avoid
waste and extravaganza. Honesty, ca
paciEy and industry are nowhere more
necessary than in public employment.
These should be fundamental principles
to appointment and the SureSt guaran-
ties against removal.
-Four years ago we stood on the brink
of war without the people knowing 1t
and without any preparation or effort
at preparation for pending peril. did
all that in honor could be done to avert
the war, but without avail. 1t became
inevitable and the congress at its first
regular session, without party division,
provided money in anticipation of the
crisis and in preparation to meet it.
1t came.
OBLIGATIONS NO TO BE ESCAPED.
American arms and in the highest de-
gree honorable to the government. 1t
IMPOSED upon us obligations from which
we cannot escape and from which 1t
would be dishonorable for us to escape.
We ire now at peace with the world and
1t is my fervent prayer that if differ
enceS arise between US and other pow
erS hey may be settled by peaceful ar
bitr;tion, and that hereafter we may
be sDared the horrors of war.
IT, ,A~,1 ~ fn1~ nd
time with the office of president, enter
upOl it's administration approaching
the great responsibilities which attach
to .enewed honor and commission,
promising unreSerVed devotion on my
parttO their faithful discharge and rev.
srenly invoking for my guidance and
direGiOn the favor of almighty God. l
should shrink from the duties this day
assumed if 1 did not feel that in their
performance 1 should have the coop
eratbn OF the wise and patriotic men
of al parties. 1t encourages me for
the treat task which 1 now undertake
to hlieVe that those who voluntarily
committed to me the trust imposed in
the hief executive of the republic will
giVet to me generous support in my du-
ties to preserve, protect and defend
the constitution of the United States"
and to care that the laws be faithfully
observed.
TIE national purpose is indicated
luICQSn Il national 6IGCllOu II Is Tic
constitutional method of ascertaining
the public will. When once it is regis
terei it is a law to us all and faithful
observance should follow its DEGREES.
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PEOPLE.
Stong hearts and helpful hands are
needed and, fortunately, we have them
In every part of our beloved county. We
are reunited. Sectionalism has disap
peaied Division on public questions
can no longer be traced by the war
maps Of 1861. These old differences less
and Hess disturb the judgment. Exist
ing problems demand the thought and
quicken the conscience of the country
and the responsibility for their pres
ence! as we'll as for their righteous set
Element, rests upon us alI-no more
upon me than upon you. There are
some national questions in the solution |
Of which patriotism should exclude par
tisanship. Magnifying their difficulties
will not take them off our hands nor
facilitate their adjustment. Distrust of
the capacity, integrity and high pur-
poses of the American people will not !
be an inspiring theme for future polit- |
Ical contests. Dark pictures and gloomy |
forebodingS are worse than useless. |
These only beclOud; they do not help |
to point the way of safety and honor.
Hone maketh not ashamed" The |
prophets of evil were not the builders
of the republic, nor in its crises since |
have they served it. The faith of the |
fathers avs a mighty force in its ere |
alton and the faith of their descend |
ants has wrought progress and fur
nished it's defenders. They are OBJ |
structionists who despair and who |
would destroy confidence in the ability |
OF our people to solve wisely and for |
civilization the mighty problems rest
ing upon them.
Fhe American people, entren.hed in |
freedom at home. take their love for it
wherever they go and they reject as
mistaken and unworthy the doctrine
that we lose our own liberties by secur-
ing the enduring foundations of liberty |
to others. Our institutions will not de-
teriorate by extension and our sense Of