The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-06
McKINLEY'S SPEECH
Al His Second Inauguration as Presi
dent OF the United States.


dent OF the United States.
senate chamber to the platform on the east
side OF the capital, where the president
delivered his inaugural address.
my fellow cltizens; -, -,
March, 1898, there was great anxiety with
regard 10 our currency and our credit. None
Then the treasury receipts were made.
auate to meet the current obligations OF the
government, now they are sufficient for all
the public net ds.' and we have surplus.
instead of q deficit.
"Then I felt constrained to convene con-
Rress IN. an extraordinary session 10 devise
revenues TO pay the ordinary expenses OF the
government. Now l have great satisfaction
in announcing that the cojgress Just closed
has reduced taxation TO the sum OF forty -one
"Then there was deep solisltude because OF
long depression in manu- featuring, mining,
agriculture and mercantile industries ana Inc
consequent distress OF the laborlpg people.
with activity, labor ia we'll employed, and
American products find good markets at
home and abroad.
"Our diversife ed productions. however. are
admonish us of the necessity OF still further
enlarginR our foreign markets by broader
commercial relations. For this purpose, our
recipI ocal trade arrangements with the other
nations should, In beralspirit. be carefully
cultivated and promoted, The national ver-
dict Of 1898 has. for the most part. been e4'
ecuted. Whatever remains untulhiled is q
continuance of our obligations, with un.
diminished force. upon the executive and
congress. But. fortunate as the condition IL,
It's permanency can be assured only by SOUND
business methods and by strict economy In
the national administration and legislation.
We should not permit our great prosperity 10
lead us 10 reckless ventures In business or
prof gacy In the purpose OF expenditures.
"While congress determines the Object and
sum Of the appropriations. the officials OF The
legislative department are responsible for
their honest and faithful disbursement, and
IL should be their constant care TO avoid any
waste and extravaganza. honesty. capacity
and Industry are now here more ipdlspensi6le
Than in public employment. These should
be the fundsmeu 20 tai requisites TO the original
appointment, and are the surest guarantees
"Four wears ago we stood on the brink OF q
war. without the people knowing OF u. ana
without any preparation, or any effort at pre-
paration tor the impending peril.
az did all that honor could do TO avert the
war. but without avail. 1t became inevit'
able. and congress, at It's first regular session.
Without party division, provided money IN
ticipation OF the crisis and In preparation
10 meet II.
"The result was signally favorable to
American arms, and In the highest degree
honorable 10 our government. II imposed
escape, and from which It would be dishonor.
able 10 seek to escape. We are now at peace
with the world and 1t is my fervent prayer
that. II difference. arise between us ana el Otnef
arbitration, and that hereafter we may be
spared the horrors OF war.
"Entrusted by the people. for second time,
with Office OF president, enter upon lls ad-
miniatration appI eoating the great resnonsi-
bilities which attach to the renewed honor
and comm iss ion. promisi ng unreserved devo.
tion on my part to their faithful di,charge
and reverently invoking for my guidance,
the direction and favor OF the Almighty God.
"I should shrink from duties. this day
assumed, If I did not feel that IN thelr per-
formance should have the cooperation OF
the wise and patriotic men Of all parties. II
encourages me for the great task. which /
now undertake, 10 believe that those VINO
voluntarily committed TO me the trust 'ltn-
posed upon the chief executive OF This re-
public give to me their generous snnpoIt 10
my duties TO preserve, prot ect and defend the
constitution OF the United States and TO see
that tue laws be faithfully executed
'Strong hearts and helpful hands are need
ed, and, fortunately. we have them In every
part OF our beloved country. We are re.
united. Sectionalism has disappeared. The
division on public questions can no longer De
traced by the war maps S sc
The existing problems demand the thouRnt
and quicken the conscience OF our country
and the responsibility for their presence, as
upon us all-no more upon me than upon you
There are some national questions. In the
solution of which patriotism should exclude
MarnIfying their difficulties SI,
tate their adjustment. Distrust OF The
ca pacty. integrity and high purposes OF the
A merican people will not be an inspiring
theme for future political contest; Il DARK
Than useless These only becoud, they do not
help to point the way of safety and honor.
Hope maketh not ashamed
prophets of evil were not the builders OF
this republic, nor In Its crises since have tbeyl
saved or served 1t. The faith OF our fathers
was mighty force In the creation, and the
progress and furnished It's defenders. They
are obstructlonists who despair and who would
destroy confidence in the ability OF our peo- |
pie to solve Wisely the mighty problems rest. |
ing upon them. Our institutions will not
deie-io ate by extension, and our sense OF
Justice will not abate under the tropit suns,
or In distant sees. AS heretofore, 50 here.
after, will the nation demonstrate its fitness
10 administer any new estate which events
devolve upon It, and, In the fear OF God, Will
take occasion by the hand and make bounds
of freedom wider yet.
"If there are those among us who would
make our way more difficult, we must not De
hut more earnestly dedicate our
selves TO the taRk upon which we have right
ly entered. We will he cnnsoltd with the fact
that The opposition has confrnntea every on
ward movement Of The republic from It's open-
Ing hour unt til now, hut without success. The
republic has marched on and on, and Its
every slep has exalted freedom and humani
ty. We are undergoing The same ordeal as
did our predecessors nearly q century ago.
We are following the course they blazed
They triumphed. Will the successors
faIter and plead organic impotency in the ma.
iion? We adhere 10 the principle OF equality
among Ourselves and by no act Of ours will
we assign to ourselves subordinate rank In
the family OF the nations.
"My fellow citizens, the public events OF the
past four years have gone into history. The