The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-03-13

two, hundred millions and paid osr own
expenses. without aaking for indemnity.
the effective reduction OF the debt now
exceeds the total Of the war bonds. We
pay six millions less In interest than We
did before the war. and no bond Of the
on its market value. So much for the
government credit. And We have I'VE
hundred and forty-six millions Of gross
gold in the treasury.
DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE.
But. coming to the development Of our
trade In the four Mckinley years. wS
seem to be entering the realm OF fable. In
the last fiscal year our excess OF exports
over imports was >es4 $50 SOS. In the last
four years It was =. SA.442 IA These ng-
ures are SO stupent1ous that they mean
little to a careless reader. But constderi
The excess of exports over imports Tor the
whole preceding period from 10 to 1877
from Washington to NcKinley-was only
$35S, sos 30.
by the sanguine Mckinley advocates nve
years ago are left out OF sight by these
sober facts. The debtor nation" has be-
come the chief creditor nation. The finAn-
cial center Of the world. which required
thousands Of years to journey from the
Euphrates to the Thames and the Seine.
seems passing to the Hudson between
daybreak and dark.
l will not waste your time by explaining
that 1 do not invoke for any man the
credit OF this vast result. The captain
cannot claim that 1t is he who drives tho
mighty steamship over the tumbling bill
lows Of the trackless deep. but praise Is
justly due him II he has made the best Of
her tremendous powers. II he has read
Alright the currents of the sea and the
lessons OF the stars, and We should be un-
grateful II in this hour Of prodigious pros
1Hu sl.A
William Mckinley with sublime faith
foresaw 1t, with indomitable courage la
bored for 1t, put his whole heart and mind
into the work of bringing it about. that
1t was his voice which. In dark hours,
rang out heralding the coming light. as
mystic cry of Memnon announced the
dawn to Egypt. waking from sleep.
HIS SOUTHERN VISITS.
Among the most agreeable Incidents Of
the presidents term Of office were the
two journeys he made to the south. The
moral reunion of the sections. long
and Sc ardently desired by him. had been
initiated by the Spanish war. when the
veterans Of both sides and their sons had
marched shoulder to shoulder together
under the same banner. The president in
these Journeys sought, with more than
usual eloQuence and pathos. to create
sentiment which should end forever the
ancient feud. He was too good a politician
to expect any results in the way OF votes
in his favor, and he accomplished none.
But for all that the good seed did not fail
on barren ground In the warm and
chivalrous hearts OF that generous people
the echo Of his cordial and brotherly
words will linger long, and his name will
be cherished in many a household where
even yet the lost cause is worshiped.
Mr.. Mckinley was reelected by an over
whelming majority. There had been little
doubt OF the result among we'll informed
people, but when 1t was known a pro-
found feeling Of relief and renewal OF
trust were evident among the leaders Of
capital and Of industry not only in this
country. but everywhere. They felt that
the immediate future was secure and that
trade and commerce might safely push
forward In every field Of effort and enter
prise. He inspired universal confidence,
which Is the nfeblood Of the commercial
| system Of the world. 1t began frequently
to be said that such q state OF things
ought to continue. One after another, men
of prominence said that the president was
his own best successor. He paid little at
tention to these suggestions until they
were repeated by some of his nearest
friends. Then he saw that one Of the
most cherished traditions Of our public
life was In danger. The generation which
has seen the prophecy Of the papal throne
mon videbis amos Petri-twice contra
| dicted by the longevity of holy men was
| in peril of forgetting the unwritten law OF
| our republication shalt not exceed the
| years Of Washington. The president saw
| it was time to speak, and in his charac-
| teristic manner he spoke. briefly. but
| enough. Where the lightning strikes
| there is no need Of iteration. From that
hour no one dreamed Of doubling his pur-
! pose of retiring at the end OF his second
| term, and 1t will be long before another
! such lesson is required.
| THE HARVEST TIME.
| He felt tina. the harvest time was come
| to garner in the fruits Of 20 much plant
| ing and culture, and he was determined
| that nothing he might do or say should
| be liable to the reproach OF a personal In
| terest. Let US say frankly he was a party
| man. He believed the policies advocated
by him and his friends counted for much
| m the country's progress and prosperity.
| lie hoped in his second term to accom-
| plish substantial results in the develop
| ment and affirmation OF those policies. !
| spent a day with him shortly before he
| started on his fateful journey to Buffalo.
Never had seen him higher in hope and
| patriotic confidence. He was sure of
| the future Of his country as the psalmist
| who cried, GLORIOUS things are spoken OF
thee. thou city of God.' He was gratified
to the heart that We had arranged a
| treaty which gave US a free hand In the
isthmus. In fancy he saw the canal al
| ready built and the argosies OF the world
| passing through 1t in peace and amty.
He saw in the immense evolution OF
American trade the fulfilIment of all bis
dreams. the reward of all his abors. He
was. l need not say. an ardent protec-
ZIONIST, never more sincere and devoted
than during those last days Of his l,fe
] He regarded reciprocity as the bulwark
of protection. not breach but fulfill.
ment Of the law. The treaties which fol
I A. ~
personal supervision he regarded as ancii-
| larry to the general scheme He was op.
| posed to any revolutionary plan OF change
in the existing legislation. He VAS care
| ful to point out that everything he hat
| done was In faithful Compliance with tn
| law itself.
HIS LAST SPEECH.
In that mood of high hope. Of senerou
| expectation, he went to Buffalo, and there
on the threshold Of eternity. he Delivers
! that memorable speech worthy for II
| loftiness of tone, its blameless morality
| its breadth Of view, to be regarded ~ hi
testament to the nation. Through all hi
pride Of country and his joy Of It's success
runs the note OF solemn warning. as i
; Kiplings noble hymn. Lest we forget
Our capacity to produce has deveiope
so enormously and our products have .
multiplied that the problem of more mat
,
attention. Only a broad and enlightene
policy viii keep what We have No othe
, policy will get more. In these times
marvellous business energy and gain ~
ought to be looking to the futur'
, strengthening the weak places In our ir
. | dustrial and commercial systems that "
,, | r,ay be ready for any storm or strain.
by sensible trade arrangements whic
| will not interrupt our home production y
shall extend the outlets for our increasin
/, surplus system which provides mt
. tual exchange OF commodities Is manifes
: " essential to the continued and healthf'
, | growth Of our export trade. We must n
repose In fancied security that We CO
forever sell everything and buy little
!, | nothing. II such q thing were possible.
would not be best for US or for those Wit
whom we deal 80 Reciprocity II Il
= natural outgrowth OF our wonderful
= dustrial development under the dome1t
= policy now firmly established II
period Of exciustveness 10 past Tho .,
: pansion Of our trade and commerce 10
!, pressing problem Commercial we1s q
= Improbable. A policy OF good WIN ~
y | friendly trade relations will prevent 2