Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-03-06

| august and powerful legislative body over
which l have been called to preside. Mos;
deeply do l appreciate the privilege of my
| position; for high indeed is the honor of
| presiding over the American senate at the
| outset of the twentieth century,
President Takes the Oath
At noon the oath of office was admin
istered to President Mckinley by Chief
| Justice Fuller in front of the main
entrance to the capitol, where a stand
| for this purpose had been constructed
| The capitol grounds in front of the
stand were packed by multitude of
people from all sections of the country
who had come to Washington to wit
ness the ceremony.
The Inaugural address.
Following is the inaugural address
of President Mckinley:
My Fellow Citizens: When we as
sembled here on the fourth of March, 1897
there was great anxiety with regard to our
currency and credit. None exists now
Then our treasury receipts were made
quate to meet the current obligations of
the government. Now they are sufficient
| for all public needs, and we have a surplus
instead of a deficit. Then felt constrained
| to convene the congress in extra ordinary
!
ordinary expenses of the government
| Now l have the satisfaction to announce
| that the congress just closed has reduced
| taxation in the sum of SAL ,000 900. Then
! there was deep solicitude because of the
| long depression in our manufacturing
mining, agricultural and mercantile in
| 0ustries and the consequent distress of our
! laboring population. Now every avenue of
| production is crowded with activity, abor
is well employed, and American products
| find good markets at home and abroad.
Should Promote Reciprocity.
"Our diversified productions however,
| are increasing in such unprecedented vol
ume as to admonish US of the necessity of
! still further charging our foreign mar
| kets by broader commercial relations. For
| this purpose reciprocal trade arrange
ments with other nations should in liberal
spirit be carefully cultivated and pro-
! NOTED.
| Verdict of 90 Executed
''The national verdict of 1896 has for the
| most part been executed. Whatever re-
mains unfulfilled is a continuing obligation
! resting with undinIinished force upon the
| executive and congress. 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 reck-
| less ventures in business or profigacy in
| public expenditures. While the congress
| determines the objects and the sum of ap-
! preparations, the officials of the executive
| departments are responsible for honest
| ard faithful disbursement, and it should
| be their constant care to avoid waste and
| extravaganza. Honesty, capacity and in
| dustry are nowhere more indispensable
| than in public employment. These should
| be fundamental requisites to original ap-
pointment and the surest guarantees
against removal.
At Peace with the World
"Four years ago we stood on the brink
of war without the people knowing it ard
without any preparation or effort at prepa.
ration for the impending peril. l did all
that in honor could be done to avert war
but without avail. 1t became inevitable;
and the congress at its first regular session
without party division, provided money ir
anticipation of the crisis and in prepara-
ton to meet it. 1t came. The result was
signally' favorable to American arms and
il the highest degree honorable to the gov
eminent. 1t imposed upon us Obligations
from which we cannot escape, and from
which it would be dishonorable to seek to
escape. We are now a peace with the
world, and it is my fervent prayer that If
differences arise between US and other
powers they may be settled by peaceful ar
bitraton, and that hereafter we may be
spared the horrors of war.
Entrusted by the people for a second
time with the office of president, 1 enter
upon its administration approaching the
great responsibilities which attach to this
renewed honor and commission, promising
unreserved devotion on my part to their
faithful discharge, and reverently invok-
ing for my guidance the direction and the
favor of Almighty God 1 should shrink
from the duties this day assumed if 1 die
not feel that in their performance l should
have the cooperation of the wise and patri-
otto men of all parties. 1t encourages me
for the great task which 1 now undertake
TO believe that those who voluntarily com
mitted 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 consti-
tuition of the United States and to care
that the laws be faithfully executed The
national purpose is indicated through a
national election. 1t is the constitutional
method of ascertaining the public will
When once it is registered it is a law to
US ALL and faithful observance should fol-
low its DEGREES.
Strong hearts and helpful hands are
needed, and, fortunately, we have them in
every part of our beloved country. We
are reunited. Sectioralism has disap-
peared. Division on public questions can
no longer be traced by the war maps of
1861. These old differences less and less
demand the thought and quicken the con-
science Of the country, and the RESPONSE
biIlty for their presence as we'll as for their
righteous settlement rests upon US all--no
more upon me than upon you.
riotism Excludes Partisanship.
There are some national questions in
the solution Of which patriotism should
exclude partisanship. 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 political con-
tests. Dark pictures and gloomy forebod-
ings are worse than useless. These only
becloud, they do not help to point the
way Of safety and honor Hope make tn
not ashamed The prophets of evil were
not the builders of the republic, nor in its
crisis since have they saved or served it.
The faith Of the fathers was a mighty
force in it's creation, and the faith of their
descendants has wrought it's progress and
furnished its defenders. There 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 resting upon them.
The American people, intrenched in free
dom at home, take their love for it with
them wherever they go, and they reject as
a and hxvt no twin hot