The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-07-21

debt"
Three one-hal years of legislation
since these words were spoken. Have
those II whom was confidcd the direction
of the government kept their pledges? The
record is made up. The people are not
plished. The gold standard has been reaf-
frned and strengthened. The endless
chain has been broken, and the drain upon
our gold reserve no longer frets US. The
credit of the country has been advanced
to the highest place among all nations.
We are ~refundinS our bonded debt bear
tersst at two per cent. a lower rate than
that of any other country, and already
more than three hundred millions have
been so funded with a gain to the gov
of many millions of dollars. In
stead of 16 to l, for which Il opponents
cOntended four years ago. legislation has
been enacted which. while utilizing all
forms of our money, secures one fixed
value for every dollar, and that the best
known to the civilized world.
a tariff which protects American labor
and industry, and provides ample rev
enues, has been written in public law. We
have lower interest and higher wages;
more money and fewer mortgages. The
worlds markets have been opened 10
American products, which go now where
they have never zone before We have
passed from a bond-iSsuing to a bond
paying nation; from a nation of borrow
ersto a nation of lenders; from a def
NitiiNN III " q u Piuop ~ ICd1
to confidence; from enforced idlenesS to
profitable employment. The public faith
has been upheld: public order has been
maintained We have prosperity at home
and prestige abroad.
Unfortunately the threat of 1896 has just
been renewed by the allied parties with
out abatement or modification. The gold
bill has been and its repeal de-
manded. The menace of IL to l therefore,
still hangs over us with all its dire conse-
quences to credit and confidence. to bust
ness and industry. The enemies of sound
currency are rallyinS their scattered
forces The people must once more unite
and overcome the advocates of repudia-
ton. and must not relax their energy un-
til the battle for public honor and honest
money shall again triumph.
A onSreS which will sustain and, X
need be, strengthen the present law, can
prevent a ~nancia catastrophe which
every lover of the republic in Interested
to avert.
Not satisfied with assaulting the cur
renCy and credit of the government, our
political adverSaries condemn the tariff
law enacted at the extra session of con-
srtSS in 1Syi, known as the DinSley act,
passed in obedience to the will of the
people expressed at the election in the
preceding November. a law which at once
stimulated our industries, opened the idle
factories and mines, and ave to the Ia
boreTs and to the farmers fair returns
for their toll and investemnt. Shall we
&c back to a tariff which brings deficiency
in our revenues and destruction in our
industrial enterprises?
Faithful to its pledges in these internal
affairs, how has the government dis
charged its international duties?
Our platform of 1895 declared. 1.-The Ha-
waiian islands SHOULD be controlled by the
United States. and no foreign power
should be permitted to interfere with
them" This purpose has been fully ac-
complished by annexation, and delegates
from those beautiful stands participated
in the convention for which you speak
~ Ia,- Ir H. --.at
at The Hague We reatfirmed before the
world the Monroe doctrine and our adher-
ence to it, and our determination not to
participate in the complications of Eu-
We have happily ended the Euro
pean alliance in Samoa. securing to our
selves one of the most valuable harborS
in the Pacific. while the open door in Chi
gives to US fair and equal competition
in the vast trade of the orient. Some
things have happened which were not
promised, nor even foreSeen, and our pur-
poses in relation to them must not be lett
in doubt. a just war has been waged for
humanity, and with ii lave come new
and responsibilities. Spain has
been elected from the western hemi-
sphere, and our flag floats over her former
Cuba has been liberated. and
our guarantees to her people will be Sa-
credly Xecuted. \ beneficent government
has been provided for Porto Rico. The
thority must be supreme throughout the
archipelago. There will be amnesty, broad
and liberal. but no abatement. of our
rights, no abandonment of ourduty. There
must be no scuttle policy. We will fulfill
in the Philippines the obligations imposed
by the triumphs of our arms and by the
treaty of peace; by International law; by
the nations sense of honor; and, more
than all, by the rights, interests and con-
ditions of the Philippine peoples them
selves No outside interference blocks the
way to peace and a stable government.
ObStructiOniStS are here. not else
They may postpone, but they can
defeat the realization of the high pur-
pose of this nation to restore to the is
lands and to establish a last and generous
government, in which the inhabitants
shall have the largest participation for
which they are capable. The organized
forces which have been misled into rebel
lion have been dispersed by our faithful
and sailors. and the people of tho
delivered from anarchy, pillage
ereignty as the symbol. and pledge Of
peace, justice, law, religious freedom, ed
the security of life and property,
and the welfare and prosperity of their
communities.
We reassert the early principle of the
party, sustained by unbroken
judicial presidents, that the representa-
tiyes of the people, in congress assembled.
have full legislative power over territory
belonging to the United States, subject
to the fundamental safeguards of liberty.
justice and personal rights. and are vested
with ample authority to act for the high
interests of our nation and the charge
to its care"
This doctrine, first proclaimed in the
cause of freedom, will never be used as a
for oppression. l am glad to De
assured by you that what we have done
n the far east has the approval of the
country The sudden and terrible crisis in
China calls for the grayest consideration,
and you will not expect from me now any
further expression than to say that my
efforts shall be given to the i'm
purpose of protecting the lives of
our citizens who are in peril, with the
Ultimate object of the peace and welfare
Of China. the safeguarding of all our
treaty rights and the maintenance Of
those principles of impartial intercourse
% which the civilized world is pledged.
/ can not conclude without congratulate
ng my countrymen upon the strong ma
.ional sentiment which ind expression in
every part of our common country, and
he increased respect with which the
American name is greeted throughout the
paths, but our steps lave been guided by
and duty. There will be no turning
no wavering, no retreat. No blow
has been struck except for liberty and
humanity, and none will be. We will per-
,orm without fear. every national and in
obligation. The republican
)arty was dedicated to freedom forty-four
;earS ago Ii has been the party of liber-
y n emancipation from that hour; not
IF profession. but of performance. II
the shackleS of four millions OF
SlaveS and made them free, and to the
1arty of Lincoln has come another SUI
)reme opportunity which it has bravely
net in the liberation of 10000, 600 o. the
family from the yoke of imperial-
SIN. In its solution of great problems,
n its performance of high duties, it has
lad the support of members of all parties
n the past, n confidently expects their
cooperation in the future
Permit me to express. Mr.. Chairman.
ny most sincere appreciation of the COM