The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-04-03
M'KINLEYS. INAUGURAL ADDRESS


sembled here OF, the 4th Of March,
1897, there was great anxiety with
regard to our currency ana 'credlt.
None exists now. Then l felt con.
strained to con2ene the Congress I'D
extraordinary session to devise reVen'
ues to pay the ordinary expenses OF the
Government. Now l have the satisfac
tion to announce that the, Congress
Just closed has reduced taxation In the
sum of Sal 100000.
The national verdict Of 1896 has for
the most part been executed. what
ever remains unfulfilled is continu-
ing obligation resting with undimln-
ished force upon the Executive and the
Congress.
Four years ago we stood on the
brink of war without the people know
ing it, and without any preparation or
effort at preparation for the impending
peril. 1 did all that In honor could be
done to avert the war. but without
avail. 1t became inevitable; and the
Congress It its first regular session,
without party division, provided mon
ey in anticipation Of the crisis and IN
preparation to meet 1t. 1t came. Inc
result was signally favorable to Ameri-
can arms and in the highest degree
honorable to tn, Government. 1t lm-
posed upon us obligations from which
we cannot e. ape and from which II
would be dishonorable to seek to es-
cape. We are now at peace With the
world, and it is my fervent prayer tnat
if differences arise between us and 9TH
err powers they may be settled by
peaceful arbitration and that hereafter
we may be spared the horrors Of war.
Existing problems demand the
thought and quicken the conscience OF
the country, and the responsibility 1of
their presence as we'll as for thelr
righteous settlement rests upon us all
no more upon me than upon you.
The American people, intrenched
in freedom at home, take their love FOR
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 ex.
tension, and our sense of justice Will
not abate under tropic suns in distant
seas.
We adhere to the principle Of equal.
ty among ourselves, and by no act It
ours will we assign to ourselves SUBJ
ordinate rank Id the family Of n.
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, and
in dealing with the results its policy
will be that of moderation and fair
ness.
We face at this moment q 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 OF
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 in 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 a constitution is approaching
the completion of it's labors. The trans
fer of American control to the new
government is Of such great import
ance, involving 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 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 q 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 it's relation to
Cuba.
While the treaty of peace with Spain
was ratified on February +, 1899, and
ratifcations were exchanged nearly
two years ago, the Congress has i1idi-
Gated no form of government for the
Philippine Islands. 1t mas, however,
provided an army to 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-
pelago.
The settled purpose, long; ago pro-
claimed, to afford the inhabitants of
the islands self-government as fast as
they were ready for it will be pursued
with earnestness and fidelity.
Our countrymen should not be de-
ceived. We are not waging war against
the inhabitants of the Philippine ISL
ands. A portion Of them are making
war against the United States.
BY far the greater part of the in
habitants recognize American sover-
eighty, and welcome it as guarantee
of order and security for life, property,
liberty, freedom of conscience and the
pursuit Of happiness. 10 them full
protection will be given. They shall
not be abandoned. We will not leave
the destiny of the loyal millions in the
islands to the disloyal thousands who
are in rebellion against the United
States. Order under civil institutions
will come. rs soon as, those who now
break the peace shall keep it. Force
will not be needed or used when those
who maize war against us shall make
it no more. May it end without furth-
er bloodshed and there be uShered in
the reign Of peace to be made per-
manent by government of liberty un'
der law