The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-03-07
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PRESIDENT M'KINLEY'S 8
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dress in part was as follows
My Fellow Citizens, When we as
sembled 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 inadequate to meet the
current obligations of the government.
Now they are sufficient for all public
needs and we have surplus instead
of deficit. Then I felt constrained
to convene congress in extraordinary
session to devise revenues to pay the
ordinary expenses of the government.
Now have the satisfaction to an
nounce that the congress just closed
has reduced taxation in the sum of
forty-one million dollars.
The national verdict of 1896 has for
the most part been executed.
Whatever remains untitled is a con-
tinuing obligation resting with undi-
minished force upon the executive and
the congress. But fortunate as our
condition 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
proaigacy in public expenditures.
Four years ago we stood on the
brink of war without the people
knowing it and without any prepara-
ton or effort at preparation for the
impending peril. I did all that in
honor could be done to avert the war,
but without avail. It became ine7lta-
BILE, and the congress at it's first regu-
lar session, without party division,
provided money Emancipation 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 gov
ernment. It imposed upon us obliga-
tions from which we cannot escape
and from which it would be dishonor-
able to seek to escape. We are now at
peace with the world and it is my fer
vent prayer that if differences arise
between us 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 the sec
ond time with the Office of president, J.
enter upon it's administration apprecl-
ating the great responsibilities which
attach to this renewed honor and COM
mission; promising unreserved devo-
tion on my part to their faithful dis
charge and reverently invoking for my
guidance the direction and favor of
Almighty God.
Strong hearts and helpful hands are
needed, and fortunately we have them
in every part of our beloved country.
We are reunited. Sectionallsm has
disappeared. Division on public ques-
tions can no longer be traced by the
war maps of 1861. These Old differ
ences less and less disturb the iudg-
ment. Existing problems demand the
thought and quicken the 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:
The American people, entrenched in
freedom at home, take their love for it
with them wherever they 60 and they
reject as mistaken and unworthy the
doctrine that we lose our own liberties
by securing the enduring foundations
of liberty to others. Our institutions
will not deteriorate by extension and
our sense of justice will not abate un-
der tropic suns in distant seas. AS
heretofore, so hereafter will the nation
demonstrate its fitness to administer
any new estate which events de7olve
upon it, and in the fear Of God will
stake occasion by the land and make
the bounds of freedom wider yet"
We face at this moment most I'M
portant question--thato of the future
relations 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, 1893, must
be made good. Ever since the evacu-
alton of the island by the army OF
Spain, the ecutive, with all practl-
cable speed, has been assisting its
people in the successive steps neces-
sary to the establishments of free and
independent government prepared to
assume and perform the obligations OF
international law which now rest upon
the United States under the treaty of
Paris. The convention elected by the
people to frame o constitution is ap-
preaching the completion of it's labors.
The transfer of American control to
the new government is of such great
Importance, involving a. obligation
resulting from our !. vent:on and
the treaty of peace that am g lad to
be advised by the recent act OF con-
gress of the policy which the legisla-
tive branch of the government deems
essential 10 the best interests OF Cuba
and the United States.
"The peace which we are pledged to
leave to the Cuban people must carry
with it the guarantees of permanence.
We become sponsors for the pacihca-
tion of the island and we remain ac-
countable to the Cubans, no less than
to our own country and people, for the
reconstruction of Cuba as free COM
| monwealth on abiding foundations OF
right, justice, liberty and assured or
der. Our enfranchlsement OF the peo-
pie will not be complete until free Gu
ba shall BE- a reality, not a name; a
perfect entity, not hasty experiment
bearing within itself the element OF
| failure"
While the treaty of peace with Spain
was ratified on the 9th of February,
1899, and ratifcations were exchanged
nearly two years ago, the congress has
indicated no form of government for
the Philippine Islands. 1t has, how
i L. Ia 4ha