Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-03-08

strained to convene the congress In ex-
traordinary session to devise revenues to
pay the ordinary expenses of the gov
eminent. Now have the satisfaction to
announce that the congress just closed
has reduced taxation in the sum of $40,-
600, 000 Then there was deep soHcitude
because of the long depression in our
manufacturing, mining, agricultural and
mercantile industries and the consequent
distress of our laboring population. Now
every avenue of production Is crowded
with activity labor is well employed and
American products find good markets at
home and abroad. Our diversified pro-
auctions, however, are increasing In such
unprecedented volume as to admon1sh us
of the necessity of still further enlarg-
ing our foreign markets by broader COM
mercia1 relations For this purpose recip-
rocal trade arrangements with other ma
lions should in liberal spirit be carefully
cultivated and promoted.
The national verdict of 1896 has for the
most part been executed. Whatever re-
mains unfuldlled is continuing obliga-
ton resting with undiminished force up
on the executive and the congress. But
fortunate our condition is, its perma-
hence can only be assured by sound bust
ness methods and strict economy in
tional administration and legislation. We
should not permit our great prosperity
to lead US to reckless ventures in BUSH
ness or profiigacy in public expenditures.
While the congress determines the OBJ
jects and the sum of appropriations, the
officials Of the executive departments are
responsible for honest and faithful dis
bursement and 1t should be their con-
slant care to avoid waste and extrava-
gance.
Honesty, capacity and industry are now
here more Indispensable In public en-
ployment. These should be fundamental
requisites to original appointment and
the surest guarantees against removal.
Four years ago we stood on the brink
of war without the people knowing it and
without any preparation or effort at
ration for the innnending nQril +
did all that in honor could be done to
avert the war but without avail. It be-
came inevitable, and the congress at it's
first regular session, without party divi-
sion, provided money in anticipation Of
the crisis and in preparation to meet it.
1t came. The result was signally favor
able to American arms and in the highest
degree honorable to the government.
1t imposed upon obligations from
which we cannot escape and from which
1t 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 and
other powers they may be settled by
peaceful arbitration and that hereafter
we may be spared the horrors of war
| Entrusted by the people for a second
| time with the Office of president, I enter
! upon it's administration approaching the
/ great respOn SibilitieS which attach to this
| renewed honor and commission, prom1s-
! ing unreserved devotion on my part to
| their faithful discharge and reverently
| invoking for my guidance the direction
and favor of Almighty God. I should
! shrink from the duties this day assumed
| If did not feel that in their performance
| I should have the cooperation of the wise
| and patriotic men of all parties. It en-
| courages me for the great task which
| now undertake to believe that those who
| voluntarily committed to the trust
| imposed upon the chief executive Of the
| in my duties to preserve, protect and de-
fend the constitution of the United
States and to "care that the laws be
faithfully executed" The national pur-
pose is indicated through a national cleo
| ton. 1t is the constitutional method of
| ascertaining the public will. When once
| it is registered it is a law to us all and
! faithful observance should follow its de-
| crees.
Strong hearts and helpful hands are
| needed and. fortunately we have them in
F. every part of our beloved country. We
| are reunited. Sectionalism has disap-
| peared. Division public questions can
no longer be traced by the war maps Of
! 1861. These Old differences less and less
disturb the judgment. Existing prob
lens demand the thought and quicken
! the conscience of the country and the re-
sponsibility 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
! solution of which patriotism should ex-
| clude partiSanShip.
Magnifying their difficulties will not
their adjustment. Distrust of the capac-
| ity. integrity and high purposes of the
American people will not be an inspiring
theme for future political contests. Dark
| pictures and gloomy forebodings are
| worse than useless. These only becloud
they do not help to point the way of
| safety and honor. 'Hope maketh not
ashamed" The prophets of evil were not
the builders of the republic nor in it's
crisis since have they saved or served it.
The faith of the fathers was mighty
force in its creation and the faith Of their
descendants has wrought US progress and
furnished it's defenders. They are OBJ
structionists who despair and who would
destroy confidence in the ability of our
people to solve wisely and for civiliza-
ton the mighty problems resting upon
Them The American people, intrenched
In freedom at home. take their love for
1t with them wherever they go and they
| reject as mistaken and unworthy the doc
| trine that we lose our own liberties by Sc
| curing the enduring foundations of lib
erty to others. Our institutions will not
deterioriate by extension and our sense
of justice will not abate under tropic suns
! in distant seas. AS heretofore. so here
after will the nation demonstrate it's fit
ness to administer any new estate which
| events devolve upon it, and in the fear of
make the bounds of freedom wider yet
| If there are those among US who would
make our way more difficult we must not
be disheartened, but the more earnestly
dedicate ourselves to the task which we
| have rightly entered. The path of prog
ress 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 some
thing. But are we not made better for
the effort and sacrifice and are not those
we serve lifted up and blessed?
We will be eonsoled. too with the fact
that opposition has confronted every on
ward movement of the republic from its
opening hour until now but without sue
cess. The republic has marched on and
on and its every step has exalted freedom
and humanity. We are undergoing the
same ordeal as did our predecessors near
ly a century ago. We are following the