This Government of ours cannot do everything for everybody. The theory of our Government is large individual liberty. It is that we shall take out of the way all legislative obstructions to the free and honest pursuit of all human industries; that each individual shall in his own place have the best chance possible to develop the highest prosperity for himself and his family.
Some functions are lodged with our Government. It must provide a currency for the use of our people, for I believe the time has gone by when we will be content to return to the old system of an issue of money by State banks. But I will not discuss such questions. I only desire to say this—which is common ground upon which we can all stand—that whatever money the Government issues, paper or coin, must be good money. [Cheers.]
I have an idea that every dollar we issue should be as good as any dollar we issue, for, my countrymen, whenever we have any money, paper or coin, the first errand that dollar does is to pay some workingman for his daily toil. No one so much as the laboring man and the farmer requires a full value dollar of permanent value the year around. [Cheers.]
But, my countrymen, I had not intended to speak so long. I hope I have not intruded upon any ground of division. I am talking, not as a partisan, but as an American citizen, desiring by every method to enhance the prosperity of all our people; to have this great Government in all that it undertakes touch with beneficence and equal hands the pursuits of the rich and of the poor. [Cheers.] Nothing has been so impressive in all this journey as the magnificent spirit of patriotism which pervades our people. I have seen enough American flags to wrap the world around. [Great applause and cheers.]
The school children have waved it joyously to us, and many a time in some lonesome country home on the bleak sand I have seen a man or woman or a little boy come to the door of a cabin as we hurried by waving the starry banner in greeting to our train. I am sure, as your Mayor has said, that this same magnificent, patriotic, American spirit pervades you all here to-day.
God bless you all; prosper you in every endeavor; give glory and increase to your city, and settle all its institutions upon a secure basis of social order and obedience to the law. [Great cheering.]
At the High-School Grounds.
On concluding the formal reception the President and his party became the guests of Hon. E. Rosewater, editor and proprietor of the Omaha Daily Bee, and after inspecting the editorial rooms the President held a reception in the rotunda of the Bee building. This was followed by a ride over the city, escorted by the Reception Committee. As the cortége passed the High-School grounds 20,000 children and adults gave the President a most patriotic greeting.
Halting in front of the building, the President arose in his carriage and said: