The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
PROTECTORATE FOR ENGLAND.
Russia. France and Germany Refused
Like Privileges-Only one Bank OF
Issue Western Hemisphere Under
One Government
(of 100 Years Hence

one
The advance proofSheets OF the mes
sage OF TIE president Of the United
States deliy cred in the year 1000 viii be
read with S@-es- =. this time:
Washington. December 5. a0Oo.-T
the Senate and House OF Representa-
tves-In accordance with the duty i'm
posed upon the president, / have the
honor 10 transmit TO o n through
you 10 the AMERICAN people my annual
message.
Il Is matter OF congratulation, but
not OF surprise. that the long era OF
peace which has marked my three pre-
vfous administrations seems likely to
continue during my fourth term, and /
question whether there WIZ be any
change in this respect il l should be
chosen for the fifth time.
The country has become so powerfal
that peace Is maitaned without Effort.
Our last census showed that our popu-
lation exceeds 400. 600, 900, the largest
population OF any civilized nation in the
world. This population, coupled with
the highest degree OF intelligence. and
aided by genius and unlimited revenue
in equipping our standing army OF A.
600, 600 men, commands a respect which
ENSURES peace for all time. II does
more, as ii enables us to select our
possessions in lily part OF the world
and retain them without protest.
Since the United States extended a
protectorate over England the threat
ened alliance between Russia, Germany
and Francs 10 ndu a war against
Great Britain has been abandoned, and
England, already practically one OF our
territories, viii soon become such in
fact. 1t would be well for your honor
able body at this session to enact laws
for the formation of a territorial gov-
eminent for England. She can then
send a delegate to the house, like other
territories, who, though without a vote,
can keep us dvise of the legisla ton
necessary in the interests of the island
now our ward.
Since the American flag has been sub
stituted for the English on all shipping
hitherto claiming the protection of Eng
land, filibustering On the high sea has
ceased and international is
being conducted with the utmost safety.
L recommend to congress the denial
of the requests made by Russia, France,
and Germany, for protectorates SINH
lar to that we have extended to Eng
land. They are not English-speaking
countries, and We do not care to have
such an uncongenial horde of colonies
or territories. Theis request is evident
1y due to fear of each other; but as we
nave cared for England and her depen-
denotes by giving them an opportunity
to become territories of the United
States we can allow the rest to fight
it out among themselves.
The senators and representatives
from our Eastern Archipelago, from the
Sandwich and West India Islands, from
the South and Central American states,
will give you direct information as to
the needs of their localities. I recon-
mend that public improvements be
prosecuted in all our newly acquired
territories with all possible celebrity
compatible with a system Of taxation
which will leave the people sufficient to
secure the necessities of life. 1t will be
common country if no wealth
is above to accumulate in them
for fifty ear to come, as they
will then more keenly appreciate the
value to them of being a part of the
United States. While taxation should
not be excessive, it should be heavy
enough to keep the people poor n
humble.
The famine in Germany does not ap-
peal to us in any manner. Now that
she has removed the embargo from our
products, l recommend legislation posi-
lively ~forbidding the expectation of any
food supplies from the United States
to Germany, and especially severe pen
alties for the sale or shipment of any
canned meats to German ports.
During the past year American CAPT.
talists have purchased from the Rus
sian government the Siberian railroad,
and are now operating it. While we
should give these capitalists full pro-
lection we should % encourage them
ito believe that Russia, however much
h may desire 1T, will eve become a
part of the United States.
The establishment Of the United
States Bank, the only bank OF issue
allowed in the country, has happily
dissipated an financial difficulties. Our
wealth and source are so unbound
ed that the paper money, issued for
convenience, is preferable to gold or
silver, and is current at par in every
portion Of the world. This makes a
uniform standard in the computation
of money everywhere, and the Alneri-
can dollar is accepted by all countries
as the basis of their own currency.
I recommend that no limit be placed
uopn the volume of currency issued, as
the demands Of business should not be
curtailed by the a Of a circulating
medium necessary to make exchanges.
I transmit herewith the annual report
of the minister Of public works, which
win %acQuaint you with the operation
Of the railroad, telegraph, and tele-
phone systems of the country, as oper-
ated by the government, and especially
congratulate you upon the completion
by the government of the elevated road
from New FORK to San Francisco.
making the trip between those cities a
matter of only twenty hours.