Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-03-12
SPEECH or THE PRESIDENT.
Mckinley, in His Inaugural, Reviews
Events of Four Years.

Mckinley, in His inaugural, Reviews
Events of Four Years.
President Mckinley, in his inaugural
address, reviewed the events of his adj.
ministration. He said the national yer
dict of 1896 had for the most part been
executed. The result of war with Spain,
which came without warning. had been
signally favorable to American arms, and
in the highest degree honorable to the
government. I'VE are now at peace with
the world. said the President, ''and it is
my feryent prayer that if difficulties arise
between us and other powers they may
be settled by peaceful arbitration and
that hereafter we may be spared the hor-
rors of war" President McKinIey's ad-
dress in part is as follows:
The national verdict of 1896 has for the
most part been executed. Whatever re-
mains unfulflled is continuing obliga-
ton resting with undiminished force up
on the executive and the Congress. But
fortunate as our condition is, its per-
manence can only be assured by sound
business methods and strict economy in
national administration and legislation
We should not permit our great prosper
ity TO lead us to reckless ventures in
business or profigacy in public expendi-
lures.
-Four years ago we stood on the brink
of war without the people knowing it,
and without any preparation. or effort at
preparation for the impending peril. l
did all that in honor could be done to
avert the wal, but without avail. 1t be-
came inevitable; and the Congress at its
first regular session, without party divis-
ion, provided 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 cannot escape, and from which it
would be diSLOnorable to seek to escape.
We are now at peace eth the world, and
it is my fervent prayer that if differences
arise between us and other powers they
may be settled by peaceful arbitration
Entrusted by the people for second
time with the Office of President, enter
upon its administration approaching the
great responsibilities which attach to this
renewed honor and commission, promis-
ing unreseryed devotion ON my part to
their faithful discharge and reverently
invoking for my guidance the direction
and favor of Almighty God. l should
shrink from the duties this day assumed
if l did not feel that in their perform
ance l should have the cooperation of the
wise ana patriotic men of all parties. The
national purpose is indicated through a
national method of ascertaining the pub
lin will IAThN,, &c ooistarnl If iS
a law to us all, and faithful observance
should follow its DEGREES.
Country Is Reunited.
Strong hearts and helpful hands are
needed, and, fortunately, We have them
in every part of our beloved country. We
are reunited Sectionalism has disap-
peared. Division on public questions can
no longer be traced by the war maps of
1861. Existing problems demand the
thought and quicken the conscience of
the country, and the responsibility for
their presence as we'll as for their right
eOus settlement rests upon us all. There
are some national questions in the solu-
ton of which patriotism should exclude
Magnifying their difficult
ties will not take them off our hands nor
facilitate their adjustment. The prophets
of evil were not the buffers of the re-
public, nor in its crises since have they
saved or served it. The faith of the
fathers was a mighty force in its crea-
ton, and the faith of their descendants
has wrought its progress and furnished
its defenders.
AS heretofore, so hereafter will the ma
ton demonstrate its fitness to administer
any new estate which events devolve up
smooth. New things are often found
hard to do. Our fathers found them so.
We find them so. Opposition has con-
frOnted every onward movement of the
republic from its opening hour until now,
but without success. 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 nearly Il century ago.
We are following the course they blazed.
They triumphed.
The pualic events of the last four years
are too near to justify recital. Some of
them were unforeseen; many of them mo-
mentous and far-reaching III their conse-
Quences to ourselves and our relations
with the rest of the world. The part
which the United States bore so honora-
bly, in the thrilling scenes in China, while
new to American life, has been in har-
mony with it's true spirit and best tradi-
tons, and in dealing with the results its
policy will be that of moderation and
fairness.
n