The record-union., 1897-12-08
THE MESSAGE.

The message of President Mckinley
is conservative, clear and non-sensa-
tional. There is nothing in it to Gre
ate alarm, or awaken distrust in the
ability of the administration to conduct
the affairs of the Government safely
and prosperously.
The three matters of greatest impor-
tanee in the document are the Cuban
and Hawaiian questions and the affairs
of the Government Treasury. Con-
cerning the first the President stands
strongly by his position of non-inter-
ference with the Cuban war, except so
far as to make strong and respectful
appeals TO close the unhappy struggle
and secure peace to the island that
viii be honorable to Spain and give to
the Cubans the measure of freedom
and home rule to which they are en-
titled.
He expresses the belief that these
ends may be secured and points TO the
changed attitude of the Spanish Gov
ernment and the recent declaration of
the Spanish Cabinet, in which the new
policy for Cuba is outlined that the
President believes will or should result
in the institution of reforms giving
Cuba practical independence while re-
tanning her as a dependency Of Spain.
In this connection he argues at length
against the demand made that this
Government should recognize the bel
lIgerency Of the insurgents and insists
that such recognition would not only
be disadvantage to the Cubans, but
would be unfortunate for American in
independence is concerned he declares
that the point has not yet been reached
that will, under the laws of nations,
justify such recognition, and TO that
end as well as upon the question of rec
ogniton of belligerency, he quotes
1engthily from the message of President
Grant in 1876. Throughout all
these expressions there flows a strong
current OF sympathy for Cuba, and
emphatic denunciation of the policy Of
Spain under the Weyler regime which
he contrasts with the milder. more hui
name and manly administration of the
present Captain-General
The attitude of the President con-
cernIng Cuba will not please the radi-
cal friends Of the insurgents, nor find
sympathy among the very large body
of American citizens who hold that rec
ognitton OF the beuagerency Of the insur-
gents should be given. The President
will command respect, however, for the
courage he nlanifests in facing so
strong sentiment among his fellow
ceuntrymen who disagree with
him regarding our Cuban policy. Ger
tainly no one will be found to charge
upon him insincerity IN this regard or
lack OF deep conviction and sound pa
triotism-
Concerning Hawaiian annexation the
matter is dismissed with very few
words, but they are positive and un-
ntstakable, and evince trust in the
Senate that the annexation treaty viii
he ratified. AS TO the currency ques-
ton he comes forward in a strong de-
fence Of the policy of PRESIDENT Cleve-
land in the issuance of bonds for pre-
servation of the gold reserve. As he
puts 1t the Government receives moth
ing in gold, but is compelled to redeem
at all times in gold. So long as that
policy is forced upon the Administra-
tion he declares that 1t must and will
continue to borrow to maintain the
gold reserve.
He condemns this policy, declares it
TO be unecononic and u1patriotie. and
suggests adoption instead Of 1t. OF GER
tain definite plans. more fully set out
in the report of the Secretary OF the
Treasury, TO which he refers with ap-
proval. He would have the currency.
so long as redeemable in gold paid out
as gold. National banks should be
permitted 10 issue notes to the par
value Of the bonds they deposit as re-
demption security; and with reduction
Of the tax upon such issue he would
limit their notes to SO minimum and
all national banks should be required to
redeem IN gold.
These matters must be taken up for