The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-08

$500
good markets at home and abroad
Our diversified. productions, howev-
er, are increasing in such unpreced-
ented volume as to admonish US of the
necessity of still further enlarging our
foreign markets by broader CONNER
cial relations. For this purpose recip-
rocal trade arrangements with other
nations should in liberal spirit be care
fully cultivated and promoted.
The national verdict of 1896 has for
the most part been executed. What
ever remains unfulhlled is a c%ontinu-
ing obligation resting with undimin-
| ished force upon the executive n the
| congress-. But fortunate as our con-
dition is, its permanence can only be
| assured by sound business methods
and strict economy in national admin
istration and legislation. We should
not permit our great prosperity to lead
us to reckless ventures in business or
p~rofiigacy in public expenditures.
While the congress determines the OBJ
jects and the sum of appropriations,
the officials of the executive depart
ments are responsible for honest and
faithful disbursement, and it should
be their constant care to vol waste
and extravaganza.
Honesty, capacity, n industy are
nowhere more indispensable tina in
l public employment. These should be
fundamental requisites to original APP
pointment and the surest guarantees
against removal.
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 impend-
ing peril. did all that in honor
could be done to avert the war, but
without avail. 1t became inevitable;
and the congress at it's first regular
session, without party division, provid-
ed money in anticipation of the crisis
and in preparation to meet it. 1t came.
The result was signally favorable to
American arms and in the highest de-
gree honorable to the government. 1t
imposed upon US obligations from
| which we can not escape and from
which it would be dishonorable to seek
to escape. We are now at peace with
the world, and it is my fervent prayer
that if differences arise between us
n other powers they may be settled
by peaceful arbitration and that here
after We may be spared the horrors
of war.
Entrusted by the people for a sec
ond time with the office of president,
/ enter upon it's administration appre-
ciating the great responsibilities which
attach to this renewed honor and COM
mission, promising unreServed devo-
ton on my part to their faithful dis
charge and r~everently invoking for
AAJ AAoA LIN ~N
of Almighty God. 1 should shrink
from the duties this day assumed if L
did not feel that in their performance
l should have the cooperation of the
wise n patriotic men of all parties.
1t encourages me for the great task
which 1 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 in
Dictated through a national election.
1t is the constitutional method of as
certaining the public will. When nee
it is registered it is a law to us all, n
faithful observance should follow it's
DEGREES.
Strong hearts and helpful hands are
needed, and, fortunately, we have them
in every part of our beloved country.
We are reunited. Sectionalism has
disappeared. Division or public ques-
lions 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 quicken he conscience of the
country, and the responsibility for their
presence as we'll as for their righteous
settlement rests upon us all-no more
upon me than upon you. There are
some national questions in the solu-
ton of which patriotism should eX-
clude partisanship. Magnifying their
difficulties will not take them off our
hands nor facilitate their adjustment.
Distrust of the capacity, integrity, and
high purposes of the American people
will not be an inspiring theme for
future political contests. Dark pic
lures and gloomy f~orebodings are
r-0--o +hno ,trn1nrr Those nn1xr hn-
cloud. they do not help to point, the
way of safety and honor. Hope max
eth not ashamed" The prophets of
evil were not the builders of the repub-
lie, nor in it's crises since have they
saved or served it. The faith of the
fathers was a mighty force in it's Gre
alton, and the faith of their descend
ants has wrought it's progress and
furnished it's defenders. They are OBJ
StructionistS who despair n who
would destroy confidence in the ability
of our people to solve wisely and for
civilization the mighty problems rest
ing upon them. The American people,
i~ntrenched in freedom at home. take
their love for it with them wherever
they go, and they reject as mistaken
and unworthy the doctrine that We lose
our own liberties by securing the en-
during foundations of liberty TO 9TH
ers. Our Institutions will not deter
-
justice will not abate under tropic suns
in distant seas. AS heretofore, so
hereafter will the nation demonstrate
its fitness to administer n new estate
which events devolve upon ii, and in
the fear of God will take occasion by
the hand and make the bounds OF
freedom wider yet" If there are those
among us who would make our way
more difficult. we must not be dis
heartened, but the more earnestly ded-
icate ourselves to the task upon which
we have rightly entered. The path of
progress is seldom smooth. New
things are often found hard to do. Our
fathers found them so. We find them
so. They are inconvenient. They cost
us something. But are we not made
better for the effort and sacrifice, and
are not those we serve lifted up and
blessed?
We will be consoled, too, with the
fact that opposition has confronted
every onward movement of the repub
lie from it's opening hour until now,