The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-03-14
M'hINLtYo INAUGURAL ADDhESS

N3SnlU IlOIr H. -
Kinley's second inaugural address Is
in part. as follows:
NV Fellow Citizens: When we as
sembled here o: the 4th OF Mafcn'
1897. there was great anxiety with
rerard TO our currency and crealt.
None exists now. Then | felt con-
strained to con.ene the Congress I'D
extraordinary session to devise reVen-
ues 10 pay the ordinary expenses Oh the
Government. Now have the SatiSlac-
tion to announce that the Congress
lust closed has reduced taxation III the
sum Of $i1 100000.
The national verdict of 1896 has Tor
he most part been executed: Nnat-
over remains unfuliilled is continu-
ing obligation resting with undlnllh-
ished force upon the Executive anG the
Congress. 49,
-Four years ago we stood Oh the
brink of war without the people know
ing it. and without any preparation OF
effort at preparation for the Impending
neril. | did all that in honor could be
done TO avert the war. but without
avail 1t became inevitable; ana the
Congress. It its first regular session.
without party division. provided ihoh-
ey in anticipation of the crisis anu l'i
preparation to meet it. 1t came. Inc
result was signally favorable to Amefl-
can arms and in the highest degree
honorable to tn Government Ii iin-
posed upon us obligations from which
we cannot e. ape and from Which 1t
would be diShonorable to seek 10 eS-
cape. We are now at peace Win Tue
world and it is my feryent prayer thiI
if differences arise between us ana QUIZ
or mowers they may be settled by
neaceful arbitration and that hereafter
we may be spared the horrors OIL war.
Existing problems demand the
thought and quicken the conscience ol
the country, and the responsibility ior
their presence as well as for their
righteous settlement rests upon us all
no more upon me than upon you.
The American people, intrenched
in freedom at home, take their love Tor
freedom with them wherever they go,
and they reject as mistaken and un-
worthy the doctrine that we lose our
own liberties by securing the enduring
foundations Of liberty to others. our
institutions will not deteriorate by eH-
tension, and our sense of justice Will
not abate under tropic suns in distant
seas.
We adhere to the principle of equali-
ty among ourselves. and by no act
ours will we assign to ourselves SUD-
ordinate rank III the family Of Il
tions.
The part which the United States
bore so honorably in the thrilling
scenes in China, while new to Ameri-
can life, has been in harmony with
it's true spirit and best traditions, ana
in dealing with the results its policy
will be that of moderation and fair
ness.
We face at this moment 4 most I'M
portant Question-that OF future rela-
tions of the United States and Cuba.
With our near neighborS we must re-
main close friends.
The declaration Of the purposes OF
this Government in the resolution or
April 20, 1898, must be made good.
Ever since the evacuation of the ISL
and by the army Of Spain, the EXecu-
tive with all practical speed has been
assisting its people i'll the successive
steps necessary TO the establishment
of a free and independent government,
prepared to assume and perform the
obligations of international law which
now rests upon the United States un-
der the Treaty Of Paris.
The convention elected by the people
to frame Il constitution is approaching
the completion OF its labOrS. The trans
fer of American control TO the new
government is of such great import
ance, involving all obligation resulting
from our Intervention and the treaty
OF peace, that am glad to be advised
by the recent act of Congress of the
policy which the legislative branch or
the Government deems essential to the
best interests Of Cuba and the United
States.
The principles which led to our inter-
vention require that the fundamental
law upon which the new government
rests should be adopted TO secure
Government capable Of performing the
duties, and discharging the functions
of a separate nation. of observing its
International obligations, of protect
ing life and property. insuring order.
safety. and liberty; and conforming to
the established and historical policy
of the United States in its relation TO
Cuba.
While the treaty Of peace with Spain
was ratified on February 6, 1899, and
ratitications We're exchanged nearly
two years ago, the Congress has indl-
Gated no form Of government for the
Philippine Islands 1t mas, however,
provided I'll army 10 enable the EXecu-
tive TO suppress insurrectiOn, restore
peace, give security to the inhabitants
and establish the authority Of the
United States throughout the archi-