Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-04
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Presidents Review of Events During
Past Four Years.

Washington, March 4.-Mr. Mckinley
took the oath of office at III and imme-
diately began his inaugural address,
which is as follows:
My fellow citizens: When we assem-
bled here on the 4th 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 sur?
plus instead of a deficit Then I felt
constrained to convene the congress in
extraordinary session to devise reve-
nues to pay the ordinary expenses of
the government. Now I have the sat-
isfaction to announce that the congress
just closed has reduced taxation in the
sum Of forty-one millions of dollars.
Then there was deep solicitude because
of the long depression in our manufac-
turing, mining, agricultural and mer-
camille industries and the consequent
distress of our laboring population. Now
every avenue of production is crowded
with activity; labor is we'll employed
and American products find good mar
kets at home and abroad. Our diver
sified productions. however, are increas-
ing In such unprecedented volume as to
admonish US of the necessity of stlil fur
ther charging our foreign markets by
broader commercial relations. For this
purpose reciprocal trade arrangements
With other nations should. in liberal spir-
it, be carefully cultivated and promoted.
Kept Their Pledges Of 1895.
The national verdict of 1896 has, for
most mart hnan Vho< ~
yer remains unfulflled is continuing
litigation resting with undiminished
torce on the executive and the congress.
;nt, fortunate as our condition is, it's
ermanence can only be assured by
eound business methods and strict econ
only in national administration and leg
islation. We should not permit our
fsreat. prosperity to lead us to reckless
sentures in business or profigacy in
public expenditures. While the congress
determines the objects and sum Of ap-
preparations. the officials Of the execu-
tive departments are responsible for
honest and faithful disbursement and
1t should be their constant care to avoid
waste and extravaganza.
Honesty, capacity and industry are
nowhere more indispensable than in
public employment. These should be
fundamental requisites to original appeal
and the surest guarantees against re-.
moval.
Did Not Favbr War, But Did Will of
the People.
Four years ago we stoo>. on the brink
of war, without the people knowing it
and without any preparation or effort
at preparation for the impending peril
I did all that in honor could be done
to avert the war, but without avail. 1t
became inevitable, and the congress- at
its first regular session, without party
division, provided money in anticipation
ot the crisis and in preparation to meet
il. 1t came. The result was singularly
favorable to American arms and in the
highest degree honorable to the govern
.nent. 1t imposed upon us obligations
from which we cannot escape and from
which it would be dishonorable to seek
10 escape. We are now at peace with the
world and it is my fervent prayer that
l. differences arise between us and other
powers they may be settled by peaceful
arbitration and that hereafter we may
lie spared the horrors of war.
Entrusted by the people for a second
time with the Office of president, 1 enter
upon it's duties. apprecating the great
responsibility which attach to this re-
newed honor and commission. promising
devotion on my part to their faithful
discharge and reverently invoking for
my guidance, the direction and favor of
the Almighty God. I should shrink from
the duties this day assumed if did not
feel that in their performance should
have the cooperation Of the wise and
patriotic men Of all parties. 1t encourage
me for the great task which + now under
take to believe that those who volun-
tarily committed to me the trust impos-
ed upon the chief executive of the re-
public. will give to me generous sup
port in my duties to preserve, protect
and defend the constitution Of the United
States" and to care that the laws be
faithfully executed. The national pur-
pose is indicated through national
election. 1t is the constitutional method
Of ascertaining the public will. When
once it is registered. it is a law to all
ol us and faithful observance should fol-
low it's DEGREES.
Strong hearts and helpful hands are
reeded and, fortunately. we have them
in every part of our beloved country.
Ne are reunited. Sectionalsm has dis
appeared. DIVISION on public questions
can no longer be traced by the war
maps of 1861. These old differences less
and less disturb the judgment. Existing
problems demand the thought and quick
on the conscience as Well for their
liehteous settlement rests upon us all
no more upon me than upon you. There
are some national questions in the soIu-
ton Of which patriotism should exclude
partisanship.
No Time for Pessimism.
Magnifying the difficulties will not
lake them off our hands nor facilitate
their adjustment. Distrust of the ca
racity, integrity and high purposes of
the American people will not be an in
spring theme for future political con-
tests. Dark pictures and gloomy fore
bodings are worse than useless. These
only becloud, they do not help to point
the way OF safety and honor. Hope