The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-12-09

powers to help itself The banks do not
feel the strain Of gold redemption. The
whole strain rests upon the government
and the size of the gold reserve in the
treasury has come to be, with or with
out reason, the signal of danger or of
security. This ought to be stopped.
If we are to have an era Of prosperity
in the country, with sufficient receipts
for the exports Of the government, we
may feel no immediate embarrassment
from our present currency, but the dan
ger still exists, and will be ever present,
menacing us SO long as the existing
system continues.
ENDORSES CAGES PLAN.
The secretary Of the treasury has out
lined plan in great detail for the pur-
pose of emoving the threatened re-
currence of depleted gold reserve and
save us from future embarrassment on
that account. To this plan 1 invite
your careful consideration.
1 concur with the secretary of the
treasury in his recommendation that
national banks be allowed to issue notes
to the face value Of the bonds which
they have deposited for circulation, and
that the tax on circulating notes Sc
duced to one-half of l per cent per
annum I also join him in recommend
ing that authority be given for the es-
tablishment of national banks, with
minimum capital of $25, 900. This will
enable the smaller villages and agri-
cultural regions of the country to be
supplied with currency to meet their
needs.
nf
tional bank notes be restricted to the
denomination of SO and upwards. If
the suggestions l have herein made
shall have the approval of congress
then l would recommend that national
banks be required to redeem their
notes in gold.
THE CUBAN RESURRECTION.
The most important problem with
which this government is now called
upon to deal pertaining to its foreign
relations concerns it's duty toward
Spain and the Cuban insurrection.
Problems and conditions more or less
in common with those now existing
have confronted this government at
various times in the past. The story
of Cuba for many years has been one
of unrest; growing discomfort; an eff
fort toward a arger enjoyment of lib
erty and self control; of organized re-
sistance to the mother country; of de-
preston after distress and warfare,
and Of Intellectual settlement, to be fol-
lowed by renewed revolt. For no en-
during period since the enfranchisement
of the continental possessions of Spain
in the western continent has the con-
dition of Cuba or the policy of Spain
toward Cuba not caused concern to the
United States.
The prospect from time to time that
the weakness of Spain's hold upon the
island and the political VicisSitudes and
embarraSSmentS of the home govern
ment might lead to the transfer of
Cuba to a continental power called
forth, between 1923 and 1860, various
emphatic declarations of the policy of
the United States to permit no dis
turbance of Cuba'S connection with
Spain under the direction of independ-
ence or acquisition by US through pur-
chase; nor has there been any change
of this declared policy since upon the
part of the government.
The revolution which began in 1868
lasted for ten years, despite the Stren-
uous efforts of the successive penin-
sular governments to suppress it. Then,
as now, the government of the United
States testified its grave concern and
offered it's aid to put an end to blood
shed in Cuba. The Qvertures made by
General Grant were refused, and the
war dragged on, entailing great loss
of life and treasure and increased in
jury to American interests, besides
throwing enough announced burdens
of neutrality upon this government.
In 1873 peace was brought about by the
truce of Zanjon, obtained by negotia-
| tions between the Spanish commander,
| Martinez DeCampOS, and the insurgent
| leaders.
The present insurrection broke out IN
February, 1895. It is not my purpose
| at this time to recall it's remarkable
| increase or to characterize it's tenacious
| resistance against the enormous forces
| massed against it by Spain. The re-
| volt and the efforts to subdue 1t car
| ried destruction to every quarter of the
! island developing wide proportions
| and defying the efforts Of Spain for its
| suppression The civilized code of wal
has been disregarded no less SO by the
| Spaniards than by the Cubans.
GRAVEST APPREHENSION.
The existing conditions cannot but
| fill this government and the American
| people with the graveSt apprehension
| There is no desire on the part of the
people to profit by the misfortunes OF
| Spain. We have only the desire to see
| the CubanS prosperous and cOntented
| enjoying that measure of self contro
| which is the inalienable right of man
| protected in their right to reap the
| benefit of the eXhaustless treasures Of
| their country.
| The offer made by my predecessor il
April, 1896. rendering the friendly offices
| of this government, failed. Any media
ton on our part was not accepted. Ir
! brief the answer read: There is nc
| effectual way to pacify Cuba unless il
begins with the actual submission o,
the rebels to the mother country Their
only could Spain act in the promised
! direction of her own motion and after
her own plans
was initiated Feb. 16. 1896 The pro
ductive districts controlled by the Span
ish armies We're depopulated. The agri
cultural inhabitants were herded in anC
about the garrison towns, their land:
laid waste and their dwellings destroy
ed. The policy of the late cabinet o
Spain justified this as a necessary
! measure of war and as means of cut
! ting off supplies from the insurgents
1t has utterly failed as a war measure
| It was not civilized warfare. 1t wa:
! determination.
Against this abuse of the rights Of
war l felt constrained on repeated oc
Casions to enter the firm and earnes
protest of this government. There wal
much of public condemnation of tn,
treatment of American citizens by al
legged Illegal arrests and long imprlSon
ment awaiting trial or pending pro
tracted judicial proceedings. l felt
my first duty to make instant deman'
for the release or speedy trial Of a.
American citizens under arrest. Befor
the change of the Spanish cabinet L
October last % prisoners, citizens o
the United States. had been given thei
freedom.
: For the relief of our citizens sufferin
because of the conflict the aid of con
gress was sought in a special message