he Chief
Justice which, in their respective spheres, so far as applicable, I
would have all my countrymen observe: "I will faithfully execute the
office of President of the United States, and will, 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 constant prayer; and
I shall confidently rely upon the forbearance and assistance of all the
people in the discharge of my solemn responsibilities.

* * * * *

WILLIAM MCKINLEY, SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1901

[Transcriber's note: The second inauguration was a patriotic celebration
of the successes of the recently concluded Spanish American War. The new
Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt, was a popular figure from the War.
President McKinley again had defeated William Jennings Bryan, but the
campaign issue was American expansionism overseas. Chief Justice
Melville Fuller administered the oath of office on a covered platform
erected in front of the East Portico of the Capitol. The parade featured
soldiers from the campaigns in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
An inaugural ball was held that evening in the Pension Building.]

My Fellow-Citizens:

When we assembled 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 a surplus instead of a deficit. Then I felt constrained to convene
the Congress in extraordinary session to devise revenues to pay the
ordinary expenses of the Government. Now I have the satisfaction to
announce that the Congress just closed has reduced taxation in the sum
of $41,000,000. Then there was deep solicitude 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 productions, however, are increasing in such
unprecedented volume as to admonish us of the necessity of still further
enlarging our foreign markets by broader commercial relations. For this
purpose reciprocal trade arrangements