Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-03-07
at In O'Clock. FOLLOWING this, in the

at 1:17 o'clock. Following this, in the
presence of the assembled multitude,
he made his inaugural address. He
spoke briefly and TO the point on all
matters of interest to the people.
Changes in conditions OF the country
during the last four years were dwelt
upon and the general prosperity be-
ing experienced was mentioned. In
the face OF this, however, caution was
still necessary, he said, to prevent the
success already experienced making
the country reckless in the future.
Considerable was said OF the late
war with Spain, how it was unavoid-
ably thrust upon this country. The
result, he said, was honorable to the
government, but it was his fervent
prayer that future differences might
be settled peacefully by arbitration
and the horrors of war spared.
Regarding Cuba the president said
this country must remain friendly and
4 the declarations must be made good.
The peace pledged to the Cubans, he
said must carry with it the guarantees
1 of permanence. In brief, he upheld
/ the administration course thus far in
regard to the island. The Philippine
! question also was touched upon.
Address OF the President
President McKinley's address was
in part as follows:
Looks to the People.
Entrusted by the people for sec
ond time with the Office of president,
l enter upon its administration appre-
ciating the great responsibilities which
| attach to this renewed honor and COM
mission, promising pureserved devo-
ton on my part to their faithful dis
charge and reyerently invoking for my
! guidance the direction and favor Of AL
mighty God. l should shrink from
the duties this day assumed If l did
not feel that in their performance
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 Con-
stitution of the United States and to
care that the laws be faithfully exc
cuted' The national purpose is indi-
Gated through a national election. 1t
is the constitutional method of ascer-
tanning the public will. When once 1t
is registered 1t 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. Sectional
ism has disappeared. Division on pub
lie questions no longer can be traced
by the war maps Of 1861.
Action Toward Cuba.
I'VE face at this moment a most i'm
portant question-that OF the future
relations of the United States with
Cuba. With our near neighbors we
must remain close friends. The dec
laration OF the purposes of this gov
eminent in the resolution Of April 20,
1898, must be made good. Ever since
the evacuation of the island by the
army of Spain the executive with all
practicable speed has been assisting its
people in the successive steps neces-
sary to the establishment of a free
and independent government prepared
to assume and perform the obligations
of international law which now rest
upon the United States under the
treaty of Paris. The convention elect
ed by the people to frame constitu-
ton is approaching the completion OF
its labors. The transfer OF Amer
lean control to the new govern
ment is of such great Importance, In
volving an 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 of the
government deems essential to the best
interests of Cuba and the United
States. The principles which led to our
Intervention require that the funda-
mental law upon which the new gov
eminent rests should be adapted to Sc
cure a government capable OF perform
ing the duties and discharging the
functions of a separate nation, OF OBJ
serving its international obligations.
OF protecting life and property, insur-
ing order, safety and liberty and con-
forming to the established and histor-
ical policy of the United States in its
relation to Cuba.
The peace which We are pledged to
leave to the Cuban people must carry
with it the guarantees Of permanence.
We became sponsors for the pacifica-
ton OF the island, and we remain &C
countable to the Cubans, no less than
to our own country and people, for the
reconstruction OF Cuba as a free COM
monwealth on abiding foundations of
right. justice, liberty and assured or
der. Our enfranchisement OF the peo-
pie will not be completed until free
! Cuba shall 'he n reality not a nana.