Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1901 — SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT. [ARTICLE]

SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT.

McKinley, in Hit Inangurat, Reviews Events of Four Years. President McKinley, in his inaugural address, reviewed the events of his administration. He said the national verdict of 18!)(J had for the most part been executed. The result of war with Spain, which came without warning, had been •ignally favorable to American arms, and in the highest degree honorable to the government. “We are now at peace with the world,” said the President, “and it ia my ferveut prayer that if difficulties arise between ua and other powers they may be settled by peaceful arbitration and that hereafter we may be spared the horrors of war.” President McKinley’s address in part is as follows: Intrusted by the people for a second time with the office of President, I enter upon its administration appreciating the great responsibilities which attach to this renewed honor and commission, promising unreserved devotion ou my part to their faithful discharge and reverently invoking for my guidance the direction and favor of Almighty God. I should shrink from Fie duties this day assumed if I did not feel that in their performance I should have the co-operation of the wise and patriotic men of all pnrties. The natiou.-U purpose is indicated through a national method of ascertaining the public will. When once it is registered it is a law to trs alt, and faithful observance should follow its decrees. lountry 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 disappeared. Division ou public questions can no longer l>e traced by the war maps of 1801.- Existing problems demand the thought and quicken the conscience of the country; and the responsibility for their presence as well as for their righteous settlement rests upon us all. There nre some national questions in the solution of which patriotism should exclude partisanship. Magnifying their difficult tlea will not fake them off our hands nor facilitate the t ir adjustment. The prophets of evil were not the builders of the republic, nor iu its crises since have they saved or served it. The faith of the fathers was a mighty force in its creation, and the faith of their descendants has wrought its progress end furnished its defenders. As heretofore, so hereafter will the nation demonstrate its fitness to administer any new estate which events devolve upon it. The path of progress is seldom smooth. New things are often found' hard to do. Our fathers found them so. We find them so. Opposition has confronted every onward movement of the republic from its opening hour until now, but without success. The republic has murchcd on and on and its every step has exalted freedom aud humanity. We are undergoing the same ordeal ns did our predecessors nearly a century ago,. We are following the course they blazed. They triumphed. The public events of the Inst four’years are too near to justify recital. Some of them were unforeseen; many of them momentous and far-reaching in their consequences to ourselves aud our relations with the rest of the world. The part which the United States bore so honorably in the thiAUing scenes in China, while new to American life, has been iu harmony with its true spirit and best traditions, ,and in dealing with the results its policy will be that of moderation and fairness. Free Government lor Cuba. We face at this moment a most important question—that of the future relations of the United States and Cuba. With our near neighbors we must remain dose friends. The declaration of the purposes of this government iu the resolution of April 20, 1898, must be made good. Ever since the evacuation of the island by the army of Spain the executive, with all practicable speed has been assisting its people in the successive steps necessary to the establishment of a 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 n constitution is approaching the completion of its labors. The transfer of American control to the new government is of such importance, involving an obligation resulting from our intervention nnd the treaty of peace, that I am glad to be advised by the recent net of Congress of the policy which the legislative branch of the government deems essential to the best interests of Cuba nnd the United States. The peace which we are pledged to leave to the Cuban people .must carry with it the guaranties of permanence. Our enfranchisement of the people will not be completed until free Cuba shall be a reality, not a name; a perfect entity, not a hasty. experiment hearing within itself the elements of failure. Ifestor ng Peace in Philippines. Congress has indicated no form of government for the Philippine Islands. It has, however, provided an army to eusble the executive to suppress insurrection, restore peace, give security to the inhabitants and establish the authority of the United States throughout the archipelago. The Congress hnving added the sanction of Its authority to the powers already possessed and exercised by the executive tinder the constitution, thereby leaving with the executive the responsibility for tbo government of the Philippines, I shall continue the efforts already begun until order shall he restored throughout the islands, nnd as fast ns conditions permit will establish local governments. Tbe settled purpose long ago prevailed to afford the inhabitant! of the islands self'government as fast ns they were ready for it will he pursued with enrnestness and fidelity. Our countrymen should not be received. We nre not waging war against the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands. A portion of them are making war against the United States. Most of the inhabitants recognize our sovereignty and welcome it as a guaranty of order and of security for life, property, liberty, freedom of conscience and the pursuit of happiness. To them full protection will Order under civil Institutions will corns as soon as thoss who now break the peace shall keep It. Force will not be needed or used when those who make war against us shall make It no more. May it end without furthef bloodshed, aud there bs ushered In the reign of peace to be mads permanent by a government of liberty under taw.