Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-08-05
Secretary Cages Speech.
e as follows.


tue day.
Secretary Cages Speech.
Secretary Gage spoke as follows:
Mr. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN pow.
srs of expression are quite inadequate to {
proper Acknowledge Mt of the cOurtesieS ex
tenued TO me by you and by your people II
the simplest manner 1 must say thank you
and 1 assure yOI that the distinction accorded
me Is most highly appreciated in fact. it is {
distinction in itself 10 be in Boston at ali, ever
without the emGe.lishm ents of your cordia
we.cOme. It is especially so to man from the
west, where We have not yet become the in
heritorS of past. rich in historical treasures
commemorative OF heroic achIeFenents fol
liberty.
ITO every American youth. wherever born, il
educated even in the rudest OF our schools
Boston becomes the shrine of patriotic devo-
ton Ny own earliest impressions were ass0-
ciated with the celebrated tea party and the
battle Of Bunker HILL an i my heart still beats
in quicker rythm as think or read of the in
spring story of the early struggle here. WheL
1 remember, however, that certain general
bearing my family name, was on the English
side; that he made himself especially Obnox-
ious to Boston people and pesIered the boys
for coastiny down Beacon Hill Gf that was in
deed the hilD. 1 wonder if have any just lot OF
part in all your glorious memories, or even auy
claim upon your hospitality.
But we can not live in the history of the
past The present is making its own history
less bloody, perhaps, not SO full of dramatic
elements, but equally influential it may be
upon future destinies- We have met here in !
period fraUght with its own interests. OppOs-
ing forces met in November last. and contende1
bitterly over the most vital of economic ques-
tiona While the issue was pendin = the profit
able arts OF industry came to nearly stand
still Trade and commerce declined to the mar
rowest limits. and. in GREATNESS suspense
those who could comprehend the deep import
of the issue waited for its determination.
That issue is now decided The ballot
magic exponent Of the popular will has record
ed its imperative voice for honest money and
for liberty regulated by law. II now re:na ms
to be seen whether from that decision there is
to be any successful appeal. 1t is this tina
gives interest, anxious interest, to the
prospective action OF those who, closed with
legislative and executive functions. have it in
their power to make secure the fruits of vic
tory, or who. by failing to comprehend their
high responsibility. may let slip the advantages
SO hardly won
Upon the possible doubt involved in this
question men of enterprise still hesitate an
the columns of industry mach slowly. with
ranks not yet completely filled Is there room
for doubt on so plain a proposition? Tn ere
ought to be none There would be none, ex-
cept for the working OF that principle of human
nature which causes Us to else after effort
which induces US to contemplate rather than
act; that spirit of inactivity which, on more
than one occasion. kept the armies of the Union
from annihilat!ng the enemy, aud on another
occasion SO paralyzed the confederate column S
rs to turn them back from the easy capture of
our own capital
VIGILANCE UBsED.
Logical as the duty OF the government seems
to be, do not yourselves supinely rest upon the
conclusion that it will certainly be performed.
When it rains the roof is not mended because
aTrY.- r1aT1 l.. Phi tha ~toF Ia1l-
and the incident man forgetS it weakness We
have passed through wearisome storm The
loss and cost of it has been enormous but to-
day the skies are fair, the breeze OF prosperity
brings comfort and restoration Shall we not
be permitted to rest and enjoy it? No. That
would be to foolishly wait for, if not to invite.
further disaster in the future The final an
swer. however, mus depend upon the urgency
or the Indifference OF the people.
The administrative branch of the govern
ment will not sleep nor rest inactive. Its in
fiuence has been and will be for prompt an
judicious action The evidence OF this facs is
fresh at hand in the message just now submit
ted to congress by the president, from which
quote one or two paragraphs
"A bill to provide the necessary revenues for
the government has already passed the house
Of representatives and senate, and awaits ex-
ecutive action. Another question of very great
Importance is that of the establishment of our
currency and banking system a better basis,
dress in the following words:
Our financial system needs some revision
our money is all good now, but its value must
not further be threatened. II should -! &c Put
upon an enduring basis, not subject to easy at
tack nor its stability to doubt or dispute The
several forms of our paper money oner. in my
judgment. q constant embarrassment to the
government and imperiI safe balance In the
treasury
Nothing was settled more clearly at the
upon the part Of the people to keep their cur
rency stable in value and equal to that OF the
most advanced nations of the world
But the administration can not make laws
It can only execute them after they are made.
1t is, then, to the legislative body that your
thoughtful attention should be given If you de-
sire financial reform Your senators ami rep
resentatives will not consciously antasonize
your welI-considered desires, but they must be
informed and constantly reminded of what 1t is
that you demand
And now what is it that ought to be done to
give security and protection to the future: To
this there are many answers, and to every an
swer many objections We have. indeed.
a delicate and d:ficult problem to solve.
the difficulty being aggravated by the
fact that ignorance from prejudice and passion
complicate and vex the solution This is one
of the penalties which popular government
must pay in return for its multifarious and en-
inent benefits With these drawbacks We can
nevertheless with patience ma our way.
COMMISSION PLAN PRAISED.
The recomm endatjon of the president for a
commission was admirable IN this. that it sug-
geSted way by which body of welI-ti aimed
and thoughtful men could be provided To con-
slider, at leisure without distraction from
otner pressing themes, the important sub
ject OF currency and banking re-
forms II at the same time opened a forum
to which could be admitted every cOntributive
suggestion from all classes and conditions of
men And il there is anything a. ar tn al
Americans heart it is the privilege Uf having
his say. Give him his say in court. let his
argument be heard, and then il the jury is
against him he rests satisfies.
ITO these Incl iental mors-i advantages may
be added the reasonable eXpectat on that the
commission would have been able to gather in
most valuable Information, and finally
20 formulate wise recommendations worthy
of early and favorable consideration
by congress at the regular ses sion next whit II.
That the bill which passed the house with
promptnNss failed of recognition in the senate
may Be a matter Of regret but not one for dis
couragemeat-
The two question: before thu 30 ntry in the
last political camcalgn were the tariff and tas