Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-03-11

sible for us now TO make atrucc with time by
anticipating AMI accepting its inevitable YER
dict Enterprises OF the highest importance
TO our moral and material well-bcing invite
us and oiler ample scope for the employment
OF our best powers. Let all our people,
leaving behind them the hatllc-feds of dead
issues, move forward, and in the strength of
liberty and restored union win grander vic
tories OF peace.
THE rtSAN,GAL QUESTION
The prosperity which now prevails is
without parallel in our history Fruitful sea-
sons have done much to secure il, hut they
have not done all. The preservation of the
public credit and the resumption ofspecic pay
ments, so successfully attained by the ad-
mlnlstratiOn of my predecessor, has enabled
our people to secure the blessings which the
seasons brought. by the experience of COM
mercial nations in all ages it has been found
that gold and silver afford the only safe
foundation for n monetary system. Con
fusion has recently been created by varia-
| tlons in the relative value of the two met
ais, but confidently believe arrangements
can be made between the leading CONNER
cial nations which will secure the
genera. use of both metals Congress
| should provide that the compulsory coinage
OF silver now required by law may not dis
turb onr monetary system by driving either
metal ont of circulation. If possible such an
adjustment should be made that the pur-
chasing power of every coined dollar will be
exactly equal to its dcbt-paying power in all
the markets of the world. The Chief duty
of The National Government in connection
with the currency of the country is TO coin
and declare IFS value. Grave doubts have
been entertained whether Congress is author
lied by the constitution to make any form Of
paper money legal tender. The present issue
of United States notes has been sustained by
the necessities of war; but such paper should
depend for its value and currency upon its
convenience in use and prompt redemption
IN coin at the will of the holder, and not
upon itscompulsory circulation. These notes
are not money. but promises TO pay money. If
the holders demand It the promise should be
kept. Refunding the national debt at lower
rate of interest should be accomplished with
out compelling the withdrawal of National
bank notes and thus disturbing the business
of the country. | venture to refer to the
position | have occupied on the financial
question during n long service in Congress
AMI to say that time and experience have
strengthened the opinions have so often ex-
pressed on these subjects. The finances of the
government shall suffer 10 detIiment which
it may be possible for my administration to
prevent.
THE INTERESTS OF AGRICrLTUEE
deserve more attention from the government
than they have yet received. The farms of
the United States Afford homes and employ
ment for more than half of our people, and
furnish much the largest part of all oar eX-
ports. As the government lights our coasts for
the protection of mariners and the benefit of
commerce, so it should give to the tillers of
the soil the lights OF practical convenience and
experience.
MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE..
Our manufactures are rapidly making lis
industrially independent, and are opening to
capital and labor new and profitable fields
of employment. This steady and healthy
growth should still he maintained. Our IA
cilitles for transportation should be prOmOt-
ed by the continued improvement of our har-
bors and grca, interior Waterways and by the
increase of our tonnage on the ocean.
IsrnMIAN CANALS
Development of the worlds commerce has
led TO an urgent demand for shortening the
great sea voyage around Cape Horn by CON
structing ship canals or railways across the
isthmus which untes two continents. Vari-
Gus plans to this end have been suggested
and will need consideration, but none of
them have been sufficiently matured
to warrant the United States in extend
ing pecuniary aid The subject,
however, is one which will Immediately en-
gage the attention Of the government, with
view to thorough protection of American
interests We will urrc no narrow pOlicy