Evening Star Newspaper, March 4, 1897, Page 2

THE EVENING STAR, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1897-20 PAGES. ringing and carried well: but amid the con- fusion and shrieks which prevailed about the stand, could hardly be heard fifty feet from the stand. It was noticeable that his frm pledge to the civil service did not receive a hand. Throughout the speech the music of the bands floated across the park. His indorse- ment of the arbitration treaty seemed to please Mr. Cleveland, and received a nod of approval from Sir Julian Pauncefote, who sat just below him, He turned to Mr. Cleveland as he con- gratulated the country on the fact that it was the good fortune of the United States to take the initiative. As he concluded the impressive words of his address the multitude cheered and the cannon in the distance roared as the signal officer on the roof of the Capitol flashed LL} signal over the city. THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS. ME these dangers y placed their chief hope * The e. which at the inauguration hides, will con- and the ne body un- f shall be overthrown more.”* during term of 3 of this body. Stanford a Wilson tentions of the years and of honors ‘The remain my thanks to the officers of this body for fidelity with which they have discharg: rtant du aud for the timely assistance courtesy of which I have nd un- been the jistinguished gentleman your presiding officer the same co-operatiot so generously ac- have my en last offi- without day. Hobart n air and for I func the Milbur: for Dr. air who, f invocat nate, - voice, © new Se impre tot Chaplain Mii Thou wh i of Lo are pe King are come of Kings and mplore Thy nn service which int of we est the the indnetion zo the the earth, and clothing st powers awtul re: 4 Throne while aze und to the me of Thy ugthen their and great tesks chem. Guard Violence, and low them’ with of body the manifold ations fortit under nding ; e they seck . Fally to their nd vhile xe weal of rpport the of the nation. Give » Lord, and a friendly all the repabli vorkd. he a the suc and honor m God. hat Thy blessing may mts who this day en- Inspire and yea our hearts to we pray, in y within these J love of nrist our Lord i the Father, may be and that for the well-modulated Vice President Hobart's 3 ddress. Senators To over the hav> been elected nate of the United is a distinction which any prize. and the mz which it implies is an by cerely appreciate My gratitude and loyalty to the people of the country to whoin I owe this honor, and my duty to y well, demand suca a conservative, equitable and conscientious construction and enforcement of your rules as shall promote the well-being and pros- perity of the people and at the same time conserve the time-honored precedents and established traditions which have contrib- ed to make this tribunal the most dis- legislative bodies of the pre- ates eltizen would ion of confidence * which I sin- as In entering upon the duties of the office to which I have been chosen I feel a pe- eullar delicacy, for I am aware that your body, with whom, for a time, I will be as- HOBART TAKING ors who Lave occupied | | ten of the { Colquitt, | | that | of to my feelings if 1} | consistent Senate ad- | sympathies of all | 2 will of the people of tre United | f America into e high-=t offices thus lifting them from the ns to the level of the sociated, has had but a small voice in the selection of its presiding officer, and that I am called upon to conduct your delibera- tions, while not perhaps your choice in | point of cither merit or fitness. It will be my constant effort to aid you, so far as I may, in all reasonable expedi- business of the Senate, and I be permitted to express the belief such expedition is the’ hope of the country. ATI the -imterests of good gov- ernment and the advancement toward a may | higher and better condition of things call for prompt and positive legislation at your hends. To obstruct the regular course t fullest and-freest discussion 1s neither with true senatorial courtesy, conducive to the welfaré “of the peopl ror in compliance with their just expecta- | tions. While assisting in the settlement of the grave questions which deyolye upon the nate of the United States it will be my endeavor to so guide its deliberations that its wisdom may be made fruitful in works, while at the same time exercising such fairness and impartiality within the rules of the Senate as shali deserve, at leas your good opinion for the sincerity of my effert. . oe . “ Unfamiliar with your rules and manner of procedure I can only promise that I will bring all the ability I possess to the faith- | ful discharge of every duty as it may de- | vcive upon me, relying always upon your stggestions, your advice.and your co-opera- tlcn, end I should feel unequal to the task did I not drustfully anticipate that indul- nt aid and consideration which you have | at all times given to my predecessors, and | without which I could not hope to acquit myself to your satisfaction or with any degree of personal credit. | It shall be my highest aim to justify the confidence the people have reposed in me by discharging my duties in such a man- ner as to lighten your labors, secure your appreciation of my honest effort to admin- | ister your rules with an eye single to the public good, and promote the pleasant and | efficient transaction of the public business. 1 trust that our official and personal re- lations may be alike agreeable; that the friendships we may form here may be genuine and lasting, and that the work of the Senate may redound to the peace and henor of the country and the prosperity and happiness of all the people. Extra Session Proclamation. The proclamation of the outgoing Presi- dent, calling an extra session of the Sen- ate, having been read, Vice President Ho- bart requested the new senators to advance take the oath of office. At the pre- siding officer's suggestion, Mr. Morrill, the pauiarch of the Senate, was complimented with being the first to be sworn in. As the new $ took the oath, there was a hum of interest through the galler: j and sen: Men conspicuous in public and political } iife were recognized when, with uplifted | hand, they swore allegiance to the Consti- tution, oath ume. No exact order was observed, the being given to four senators at one ‘The names of Thomas C. Platt of ‘ew York and Joseph Benson Foraker of Ohio were called together. Mr. Platt came forward on the arm of Senator Murphy of New York, both smiling and exchanging pleasantries as they went to the desk. Mr. Foraker was on the arm of that nota- ble veteran, John Sherman, about to leave for another sphere of action. With thes fifteen new men were twelve of the old senators, sworn in for new terms. New Senators Sworn In. ‘The names of the senators-elect were called in alphabetical order, and they ad- vanced to the clerk's desk, and were sworn in by Vice President Hobart. They were as follows: Allison, W. B., lowa McEnery, Samuel D., Clay, A. S., Ga. La. Earle, J. H. Morrill, J. 8., Vt. Fairbanks, W., Penrose, Boles, Pa. Ind. Perkins, Geo. C., Cal, Foraker, J. B., Ohio Pettus, E. W., Ala. Gallinger, J. H., N-H. Platt, O. H., Conn. Hansbrough, H. C., Platt, T. CN, ¥. N. D. Pritchard, J. C., N. C. Heitfeldt, Henry, Rawlins, J. L.,- Utah Idaho Spooner, J. C., Wis. Harris, W. A., Kan. Teller, H. M., Col. Jones, J. K., Ark. Turner, Geo., Wash. Jones, J. P., Nev. Vest, G. G., Mo. Kyle, J. H., 3. D. Wellington, Geo. L., Mason, W. E., Il. Md. ‘The vacancies are in Florida, Kentucky and Oregon. Meantime, while the oaths were being administered, Mr.Cleveland and Mr.McKin- ley sat talking in a low tone. It was clearly @ most agreeable exchange, for the old Presidert and the new smiled every now end then as they nodded acquiescence to eech other. It was noted that Secretary of State Olney and Secretary Lamont were not among the cabinet officers present. It was 1:05 p.m. when the last oath had CS ee = = the formal exit began, the Supreme Court judges frst, then ‘Mr~ Cleveland. and Presiaent McKinley and other officials following. Just before the official party withdrew Mrs. McKinley and the mother of the Pres- ident were escorted from the gallery to the THE OATH OF OFFICE, ‘se and prudent legislative action after | | sal shout with which their appearance was Mr. McKinley Annoances His Admin- istration’s Policy. The“following is the inaugural address of President McKinley deiivered immediately after taking the oath of office: Fellow Citizens: In bbedience to the will of the people and in their presence by the euthority vested in me by this oath, I as- sume the arduous and responsible duties of President of the United States, relying on the support of my countrymen and invok- ing the guidance, of ,Almighty God. Our faith teaches that.there is no safer reliance than upor the Gol of.@ur fathers, who has so singularly favored the American people in evecy national trial, and who will not forsake us so long as we obey His com- mandments and walk. humbly in His foot- steps. ‘The responsibilfties @f the high trus which I have been cailed—alwe importance—are augmented by th ing business conditions, entailing Upon willing labor and loss to useful ente: prises. The country is suffering from in- dustrial disturbance iam which speedy ur financial system to of grave relief must be had. reeds some revision; our money is ail good now, but its value must not further threatened. It should all be put enduring b: not subject to easy attack, nor its stability to doubt or dispute. Our currency should continue under the super- vision of the government. The several forms of our paper money offer, in my judgment, a constant embarrassment to the sovernment and a safe balance in the treas- ury. Therefore I believe it necessary to de- vise a system which, without diminishing the circulating medium, or offering a premium for its contraction, will present a remedy for those arrangemer which, emporary in their nature, might well in the years of our prosperity been dis- placed by wiser provisions. With adequate revenue secured; but not until then, we can enter upon such changes in our fiscal laws as will, while insuring safety and volume to our money, no longer impose upon the government the necessity of maintaining so large a gold reserve, with its attendant and inevitable temptations to speculation. Most of our financial laws are the out- growth of experience and trial, and should not be amended without investigation and demonstration of the wisdom of the pro- posed changes. We must be both “sure are right” and “make haste slowly.” If, therefore, Congress in its wisdom shall deem it expedient to create a commission to take under early consideration the re- vision of our coinage, banking and cur- rency laws, and give them that exhaustive, careful and dispassionate examination that their importance demands, I shall cordially concur in such action. If such power is vested in the President, it is my purpose to appoint a commission of prominent, well- informed citizens of different parties, who will command public confidence both on.a count of their ability and special titn for the work. Business experience and pub- He training may thus be combined, and the patriotic zeal of the friends of the country be so directed that such a report will be made a8 to recéive the support of all pa ties, and our finances cease to be the sub- Ject of mere partisan contention. The ex- reriment is, at all events, worth a tri and, in my opinion, it ean but prove ben ficial to the entire country. Internationa be upon an we east front of the Capitol, where the oath of office was about to be taken by the new President. ‘The occupants of the public gallery were held in their places for some time, in order not to block the procession of officials. Gradually the chamber was deserted and the scene of action removed to the east front of the Capitol. On the Platform. receded by two military aids Mrs. Mec- Kinley and her party emerged first from the Senate wing, and were escorted to their seats on the platform, in advance of the procession, the future mistress of the White House, heavily wrapped, resting on the arm of John Addison Porter. She walked somewhat feebly, and was given a large leather chair immediately behind the raised platform from which her husband was to deliver the inaugural. Mr. McKin- ley’s mother and the other members of the party were shown seats just In the rear. A parasol was raised to protect her ey from the glare of the sun. ‘The crowd waited fifteen minutes before the head of the procession appeared at the door of the Senate wing, and the closely packed multitude moved and pressed suddenly forward as if they were urged by an electric shock. First came Mr. Wilson, marshal of the District of Columbia, and Mr. McKenney, marshal of the Supreme Court. The former does not look unlike Mr. Cleveland, and the latter is about the stature of Mr. Meé-" Kinley, so that for an instant the crowd mistook them for the chief actors in the drama today, and a great shout went up. But when the mistake was apparent the cheering subsided. Following them came Chief Justice Fuller and the justices of the Supreme Court, their glossy, black satin robes displaying the curves of their generous figures. Imme- diately in their rear followed Col. Bright, the sergeant-at-arms of the Senate, and the Senate committee on arrangements, in which the tall, spare form and intellectual countenance of John Sherman, the new premier, was conspicuous. ‘Then came Mr. McKinley and Mr. Cleve- land arm in arm. Almost instantly they were recognized by the multitude that had been straining for the first glimpse of them. The univer- Bimetallisn, The question of iptetnational bimetallism will have early and €arnest attention. It will be my constant endeavor to secure it co-aperation with the other great commer- cial powers of the world. Until that con, dition ‘is realized when the parity between our gold and silver mgney springs from and is supported bythe relative value of the two metals, the yalue of the silver already coined, and of that which may hereafter be coined, musi.be Kept constantly at par with gold by every resource at our com- mand. The credit of the government, the integrity of its curreticy, and the inviola- bility of Its obligations must be p ved. This was the commanding verdict of the people and it wilt not-be unheeded. Economy is demanded in every branch of the government at all times, but especially in periods like the present of depression in business and distress. among the people. The severest economy must be observed in all public expendifures, and extravagance stopped wherever its found, and prevented wherever in the future it may be developed. If the revenues are to remain as now, the only relief that can come must be from decreased expenditures. But the present must not become the permanent condition of the government. It has been our uni- form practice to retire, not increase, our standing obligations, and this policy must again be resumed and vigorously enforced. Our revenues should always be large enough to meet with ease and promptness not. only our current needs, and the prince! pal and interest of the public debt, but to make proper and liberal provision for that most deserving body of public creditors, the soldiers and sailors and the widows and orphans who are the pensioners of the United States. The government should not be permitted to run behind, or increase its debt, in times like the present.. Suitably to provide against this is the mandate of duty; the certain and easy remedy for most. of our financial difficulties. A deficiency is inevit- able so long as the expenditures of the government exceed its receipts... It can only be met by loans, or an increased revenue. While a large annual surplus of revenue may invite waste and extravagance, inade- quate revenue creates distrust and under- mines public and private credit. Neither should be encouraged. Between more loans and more revenue, there ought to be but one opinion. We should have more rev- enue, and that without delay, hindrance or Postponement. A surplus in the treasury created by loans is not a permanent or safe reliance. It will suffice while it lasts, but it cannot last long while the outlays of the government are greater than its receipts, ag has been the case during the past two years. Nor must it be forgotten that how- ever much such loans may temporarily re- lieve the situation, the government Is still indebted for the amount of the surplus thus accrued, which it must ultimately pa: while {ts ability to pay Is not strengthened, but weakened by a continued deficit. Loans are imperative in great emergencies to pre- serve the government or its credit, but a failure to supply needed revenue in time of peace for the maintenance of elther has no justification. Tariff Revision. The best way for the government to maintain its credit is to pay as it goes—not by resorting to loans, but by keeping out of debt—through an adequate income se- cured by a system of taxation, external or internal, or both. It 1s the settled policy of the government, pursued from the be- ginning and pratticed by all parties and administrations, ‘to Tse the bulk of our ipon_ for revenue from t elgn r tions entering the United States eens and consumption; and avoidi: for most part every, es of direct taxation, except in time 9f War. The country 1s clearly opposed apy needless additions to the subjects of intérnal taxation, and is committed by its la! Popular utterance greeted began with a ripple that ran down the platform, swelling as it went until it fell upon the sea of faces on the plaza and broke into a thunderous roar that recoiled from the dome and rolled away through the diverging avenues. As Mr. McKinley and Mr. Cleveland de- scended the steps and emerged upon the platform it was noticed that the crown of Mr. McKinley’s head reached only to Mr. Cleveland’s eyes. He showed no trace of his recent illness. He held himself splen- didly. His Napoleonic head was thrown back, and his clear cut, cameo-like features were softened by the trace of a smile as he advanced along the platform with a confi- dent air and an elastic tread at Mr. Cleve- land's side. Mr. Cleveland now faced an inauguration audience for the fourth time, once more than any other President of the republic. Although he appears twenty years older than he did when he was first inaugurated twelve years ago, evidenced by his almost bald head and the lines which official cares have chiseled in his rugged face, yet be never looked better in his life, and his face displayed in no way the fatigue of the op- pressive work of the past few days, but his gait was rather slow and halting. Cheers of the Multitade. As they walked down the platform the yells and shouts became deafening, and when they stepped upon the raised plat- form Mr. McKinley felt called upon to ac- knowledge the reception by bowing right and left. He then took a seat in the big leather chair. The pressure against the stand was so terrific that women screamed with pain and several fainted. Meantime the procession from the Senate continued ‘The senators, well dressed and imposing, followed by the more nondescript members of the House, sifted into their seats. Then came the dignified and pompous diplomatic corps, rigid with gold braid and aflame with ribbons, headed by the British ambassador. ‘Lhe gold plate, red coats, horse-hair plumes, hfgh boots and shining swords were enough to pale the splendors of any spectacular drama. The governors of the states, the general of the army and the admiral of the navy, with the officers who had received the thanks of Congress, all resplendent in full uriform, made up the rear, and were closely followed by the distinguished as- semblage of men and women who had crowded the Senate leries. All this time 40,900 pedpie were straining to keep up the constant and tremendous applause, while Mr. McKinley surveyed the crowd, occasionally looking aloft at the boys on the dome, and smiled and bowed. ‘Then Mr. McKinley arose and uncovered, while Chief Justice Fuller, in his flowing administered the oath in the pres- ence of that tremendous speeeune He kissed the large gilt-edged Bible present- ed by the bishops of the African Methodist Church to seal his oath. mousing he manuscript of his inaugural address one hand, he turned to the mul- | to the system of. taxation. There can titude of people, and, 1 up his hand, | be no misunde . either, about the ff admonition for order, began his in- iple hich‘ this tari taxation augural address. Cleveland, with his |'shall be tevied."” Nothing has ever been silk hat on, resting on his um- | made © ata general election than brella, i attenflvely to every word. | that the controlffhe, principle in the raisin; t@ Mc ley’ were clear and] of revenue luties: on imports is zeal- BEFORE ous care for American interests and Ameri- n labor. The people hay clared that uch legislation should pe ve | ample protection and enen ment to the industries and the development of our coun- try. It is, therefore, ily hoped and expected that Congre the earliest practicable moment, enact leg shall be’ fair, . 1 just, and which ient revenue for signally } ection and € prise of the people. To this polic all, of whatever party, firmly bov voice of the peopie—a powe potential than the expression 1 platform. The gress is to stop def tion of that protective pose helpful to ‘every will still b tly ny politi- of Con- restora- ich hus encii The Edge of the Crowd. always been the firmest prop of the treas- ury. The passage of such a law or laws would strengthen the credit of the govern- ment both at home and abroad, and go far toward stopping the drain upon the gold reserve heid for the redemption of our cur- rency, which hi al well nigh constant for > In the revisicn of the tariff especial at- tention should be given to the re-enactment and extension of the reciprocity principle of the law of 1890, under which so great a stimulus was given to our foreign trade in new and advantageous markets, for our surplus agricultcral and manufactured products. The brief trial given th lation amply justifies a further i ment and additional discretionary power in .the making of commercial treaties, the end in view always to be the opening up of new markets for the products of our country, by granting concessions to the products of other lands that need and cannot pro- elves, and which do not involve vor to our own people, but © their any lo: tend to in The depression of th has fallen with especial severi great body of tdilers of the country upon none more than the holders of s ployment t four years y upon the and THE PRESIDENTS REVIEWING wisdom afd courage by the American peo- . with fidelity to their best interests and . and to the honor the These yea ot glorious an wi 1 the pr y urably strengt us ree institutions which we enjoy. The love end will sustain these t The great essential to our hs prosperity is that upon which the go: Stablished ard insist upon quality of rights jaws be always cted and obeyed. We may h: failed in the discharge of our full duty i: of the great republic, b: ling and encouraging to F sech, a free press, free thought, free the free and unmolested right of d worship and free and earer and more univer- J today than ever before. These must be sacredly preserved ard hened. The con ted au- thorities mu uphels rfully and vigorously must not be tolerated in the Lynching: and civil ted Siates; s the penallies of the law : tion of pubtic order, the right of dis- cussion, the integrity of couris, and the orderly administration of justice must con- tinue forever the rock of safety upon which our government securely rests. Lessons of the Election, One of the lessons taught by the late election, which all can rejoice in, is that the izens of the United States are both law- respecting ead law-abiding people, not easi- ly swerved from the path of patriotism and honor. This is in entire accord with the Fen! of our institutions, and but em- phasizes the ac antage a@ greater love for law and order in the future. Immunity should be granted to none who violate the laws, whether indi- viduals, corporations or communities; and s the Constitution imposes upon the Pres- ident the duty ~ doth its own execution, and of the statues enacted in pursuance of its provisions, I shall endeavor carefully to « them into effect. The declaration of the party now restored to power has been in the past that of “opposition to all combinations of capital organized in trusts, or otherwise, to cenirol arbitrarily the con- dition of trade among our cidzens,” and it supported “such legislation as will pre- vent the execution, of all schemes to oppress the people by undue charges on their sup- lies, or by, unjust wates»for* the transpor- tation of their products to market.” This purpose will be steadily pursued, both by the enforcement of the laws now in exist- «nce and the recommendation and suppor: of such new statutes as may be necessary to carry it into effect. Our naturalization and immigration laws shculd be further improved to the constant promotion of a safer, «,better-and a higher citizenship. A grave peril to the repubtic would be a citizenship too ignorant to un- derstand, or too vicious to appreciate, the steat value and beneficence of our institu- tions and laws—and against all who come here to make war upon them our gates must be promptly and tightly closed. must we be unmindful of the need of im- prevement among our own citizens, but with the zeal of our forefathers encourage of inculcating even farms. Agriculture has languished “Here They Come!” bor suffered. The revival of manufacturing will be a relief to both. No portion of our population {s more devoted to the institu- tions of free government, nor more lo: in their support, while nowe bears more cheerfully or fully its proper share in the maintenance of the government, or is better entitled to its wise and liberal care and protection. Legislation helpful to producers is beneficial to all. Tae depressed condi- ticn of industry on the farm and in the mine and factory has lessened the ability of the people to meet the demands upon them, and they rightfully expect that not only ‘a system of revenue shall be estab- lished that will secure the largest income with the least burden, but that every means will be taken to decrease, rather than in- crease, our public expenditures. Business conditions are not the most promising. It ) will take time to restore the prosperity of former years. If we cannot promptly at- tain it, we can resolutely turn our faces in that direction and aid its return by friendly legislation. However troublesome the situ- ation may appear, Congress will not, 1 am sure, be found lacking In disposition or ability to relieve it, as far as legislation can do so. The restoration of confidence and the revival of business, which men of all parties so much desire, depend more largely upon the prompt, energetic and in- telligent action of Congress than upon any other single agency affecting the situation. It is inspiring, too, to remember that no great emergency in the one hundred and eight years of aur eventful national life thas ever arisen that has rot been met with the spread of knowledge and free educa- tion. Illiteracy must be banished from the land, if we shall attain that high des- tiuy as tite foremost’ of’ the’ enlightened nations of the. world, which, under Provi- dence, we ought to achieve. Reforms in the civil service must go on. But the changes should be real and gen- uine, not perfunctory, or prompted by a zeal in behalf of any party, simply because it happens to dein power. As a member of Congress I voted and spoke in favor of the present law; and I shall attempt i enforcement in the spirit in which it was eracted. Thé purpose in’ view was to © cure the most efficient service of the best men who would accept appointment under the government, retaining faithful and de- voted public servants in office, but shielding none under the authority of ary rule or cvstom, who are inefficient, incompetent or unworthy. The best interests of the country demand this, and the people heartily ap- prove the law wherever and-whenever it has been thus administered. Congress should give*prompt attention to the restoration of our American merchant marine, oncé the pride of the seas in all the great ocean highways of commerce. To my mind, few more important subjects so imperatively demand its intelligent con- sideration. The Unfted States has pro- giessed with maryelous rapidity in eve: field of enterprise and endeavor until we have become foremagt in nearly all- the great Ines of inland trade, commerce and industry. Yet, while this is true, our American merchant marine has been stead- ily declining until it is now lower both in the percentage of tonnege and the number of vessels employed, than it was prior io the civil war. Commendable progress has been made of late years in the upbuilding of the American navy, but we must sup- plement these efforts by providing as a prcper consort for it a merchant marine amply sufficient for our own carrying trade to foreign countries. The question is one that appeals both to our business necessi- ties and the patriotic aspirations of a great people. Forcign Policy. It has been the policy of the United States since the foundation of the govern- ment to cultivate relations of peace and amity with all the nations of the world, and this accords with my conception of our duty now. We have cherished the pol- icy of non-interference with the affairs of foreign governments, wiscly inaugurated by Washington, keeping ourselves free from entanglement either as allies or foes, content to leave undisturbed with them the settlement of their own domestic con- cerns. It will be our aim to pursue a firm and dignified foreign policy, which shall be just, impartial, ever watchful of our national honor, and always insisting upon the enforcement of the lawful rights of American citizens everywhere. Our diplo- macy should seek nothing more, and ac- cept nothing less, than is due us. We want no wars of conquest; we must avoid the temptation of territorial aggression. War should never be entered upon until every agency of peace has failed; peace is pref- erable to war in almost every contingency. Arbitration is the true method of settle- ment of international, as well as local or individual, difference. It was recognized as the ‘best means of adjustment of differ- ences between employers and employes by the Forty-ninth Congress, in 1886, and its application was extended to our diplomatic relations by the unanimous concurrence of the Senate and House of the Fifty-first Congress in 1890. The latter resolution was accepted as the basis of negotiations with us by the British house cf commons in 1893, and upon our invitation a treaty of arbitration between the United States and Great Britain was signed at Washington and transmitted to the Senate for its rati- fication in January last. Since this treaty is clearly the result of our own initiative, since it has been recognized as the leading feature of our foreign policy throughout our entire national history—the adjustment of difficulties by judicial methods rather than by force of arms—and since it pre- sents to the world the glorious example of reason and peace, not passion and war, controlling the relations. between two of the greatest nations of the world, an ex- ample certain to be-followed by others, I Senrate'thereon, not merely as a matter of 'TAND. portance and moral influence of the cation of such a treaty can hardly be estimated, in the ca iw ilization. It may well ex best thought. of the statesmen ot ey coun nd TL cane consider it for te that it 1 to the United States to have the Jeadership in sc grand a work. An Extra Session of Congress. It hes been the uniform practice of each President to avoid, far as possible, the convening of Congress in extr session. ft is an example wh ordinary circumst sand in the absence of a public necessity, is to be commended. But a failure to convene the repress in Con of the people in extr when it involves neglect of a public duty, places the responsibility of such neglect upon the executive himself. The condition of the public treasury, as has been indi- cated, demands the immediate considera- tion of Congress. It alone has th to provide revenues for the gove Not to convene it under such circum- stances I can view in no other sense than the neglect of a plain duty. 1 do net-sym- pathize with the sentiment that Congress in session is dangerous to our general busi- ness interests. Its members are the agents of the people, and their presencé at the seat of government in the execution of the sovereign will should not operate as an injury, but a benefit. There could be no better itme to put the government upon a sound financial and economic basis than now. The pecple have only recently voted that this should be done, and nothing is more binding upon the agents of their-wift than the obligation of immediate action. It has always seemed to me that the post- ponement of the meeting of © ss until more than a year after it has been chosen deprived Congress too often of the inspira- tion of the popular will and the country of the corresponding benefits. It is evi- dent, therefore, that to postpone action in the presence of so great a necessity would be unwise on the part of the executive because unjust to the interests of the pe ple. Our actions now will be freer from mere partisan consideration than if the question of tariff revision postponed until the regular session of Congress. We are nearly two years from a congressional election, and politics cannot so gre tract us as if such contest was immediate- ly pending. We can approach the problem calmly and patriotically without fearing its effect upon an early election. Our fel- low-citizens who may disagree with upon the character of this legislati fer to have the question settled now, even against their preconceived views—and per- haps settled so reasonably, as 1 trust and believe it will be, as to insure great ‘per: manence—tkan to have further uncertainty menacing the vast and varied businéss in- terests of the United States. Again, what- ever action Congress may take will be given a fair opportunity for trial before the peo- ple are called to pass judgment upon it, and this I consider a great essential to the rightful and lasting settlement of the question. In view of these considerations, I shall deem it my duty as President to convene Congress in extraordinary session on Monday, the 15th day of March, IN. The Country Congratulated. In conclusion, I congratulate the country upon the fraternal spirit of the people and the manifestation of good will every- where so apparent. The recent election not only most fortunately demonstrated the obliteration of sectional or geographi- cal lines, but to some extent also the prej- udices which for years have distracted our coun and marred our true greatness as a nation. The triumph of the people, whose verdict is carried into effect today, is not the triumph of one section, nor wholly of one party, but of all sections and ail the people. The north and south no longer divide on the vld lines, but upon princ and policies; and in this fact surely every lover of the country can find cause for t felicitation. Let us rejoice in and cult vate this spirit; ft is ennobling and will be both a gain and blessing to our beloved country. It will be my constant aim to do nothing, and permit nothing to be done, that will arrest or disturb this growing sentiment of unity and co-operation, this revival of esteem and affiliation which now animates so many thousands in both the old antagonistic sections, but I shall cheerfully do everything possible to pro- mote and increase it. Let me again repeat the words of the oath administered by the Chief Justice, which, in their respective spheres, so far as applicable, I would have all my coun- trymen observe: “I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and wili, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” ‘This is the obligation I have reverently taken before the Lord Most High. To keep it will be my single purpose; my con- stant prayer—and I shall confidently rely upon the forbearance and assistance of all the people in the discharge of my sol- emn responsibilities. Notes. At 2:03, amid the cheers and hurrahs of the vast multitude, Mr. McKinley closed his inaugural address. Mr. McKinley's reference to lynching and declaration that it should be done with and give place to law, evok a chorus of cheers that were taken up with especial fervor by the colored men, who bad gained places near the stand. It was ten minutes after 1 o’clock when the President appeared on the steps of the Senate wing of the Capitol. The crowd cheered loudly, and hats were removed from several acres of heads. Mrs. McKinley was the first of the pres- idential party to ron the stand. She was extremely pale and seemed to be il, She was supported by Secretary Porter and Mr. Beil, one on either side, and proceeded with apparent feebleness. Immediately be- hind was the President's mother and his