The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, December 13, 1895, Image 2
^I'MCLK UEORUK'8" KABKWBL1
l*he Aged SUtHman Make* the LmI
Speech of the Session.
i Below is given tho farewell speech
of "Uncle"' Georgo Tillman, doliverod
[to the Constitutional convention, when
be was so enthusiastically called for a1
the close of the convention's proceedings
on the final night. It was the
last speech made in the convention.
'It was listened to with the closest attention.
It deals with the Federal
W>utlook in au interesting maunor.
Here is the speech in full:
Mr. Pressdent aud gentlemen of the
convention: I had no expectation ol
being invited to address tho convention
ou?nothing in particular and everything
in general. But since I have
been called on in such a complimentary
manner, T would either be more
or less than a mnu if I did not thank
the convention for such a compliment.
Mr. President, we can nil hope r
great deal from the Constitution wt
have adopted. It is not such au instrument
as we would have made if wt
had been a free people. We are not n
free people. We have not been (luct
the war. I fear it will be some time
before we cau call ourselves free. I
have had that fact very painfully irn
pressed upon me for several years. I
we were free, instead of huviug ncgrc
aunrage. wo would have negro shivery
Iusteud of having the United State:
government wo would have the ('on
federate States government. I astern'
t" paying 8^,000,000 peusiou tribute,
wo would be receiving it. Instead o
having many tilings that we have, w<
would have other and better things
Hut to the exteut that we are permittei
to govern ourselves and pay peusioi
tribute to our conquerors, we huv?
framed as good au organic law, take i'
its a whole, as the wisdom aud patriot
ism of the State could have desired.
Perhaps, sir, if I were to speuk ap
propriately on such an occasion as this
I ought to speak from a national poim
of view?about our Federal relation:
aud about our future as forecasted bj
our present surroundings. But it i:
too vast a subject to be taken olfhaud.
The convention, though is tired out
IV! any of them are making preparation!
to go home, aud I shall therefore not
attempt it.
I will eisujilly alludo to a few mat
ters iu national polities which gave nu
hope of a better future for us. Oue i<
the fact that I aui satisfied that tin
Republican party has adopted a nev
departure towards the negro. Tin
silver question has to a great exton
superceded the uegro ipieatiou. I
was the silver questiou that saved n<
from not only more reeonstructiot
i??li ivtun *!...* 1 *1.. ?
in K'tru.lMlb (Ulll n?VUU llil" l'l U
munt of the United States from l*eiiif
revolutionized from top to bottom
The Lodge force bill under Heed'
manipulation, passed the house of re
vp? and came within a om
did we come to
form of Rovftriimc^ rerthrowu, nu?
yet South CTarolini * were wruuglitq
over local mutte*.l here, simply
scrambling for otlice without any priu
ciple at stake and didn't seem ti
realize how near we were to having i;
a political volcano exploded under out
feet. Free silver saved us. The fret
uiiver senators said: "We are inort
interested in free silver than we are in
the rights or wrongs of the negro.
And as the south is almost unaniiuoio
for free silver, we would be a parcel
of fools to help the eastern States op
press the south on the negro question.'
Free silver then saved us in IH'.M), anil
T believe gentlemen, free silver will
nave us in the presence of the overwhelming
Republican sentiment thai
now dominates the north. Not only
dominates the north, but all the border
slave States. Remember Delaware,
Maryland, West Virginia, Nortl;
Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri all
went Republican at the last election
on account of the Federal election lavt
bring repealed.
The free silver question will not die
soon. It is a living question. It has
Mr. much vitality a- the negro question
over had. Of course, Disraeli was
light when he said a raee issue in polities
was the most vital that ever
could he started. Ihit a financial
question like free silver is almost as
strong. It will he years perhaps hefore
the silver question is finally settled,
and until it is the negro question
will he relegated to the rear. The Republicans
realize that the negro question
is a secondary question now, and
hence it was they consented to the
repeal of the Federal election laws,
which gave them hack the southern
border states, and those herder States
have gone to the Republican party to
stay. They have cone where they
naturally belong. Hence there is no
more solid Democratic south. We are
(.o find other alliances and economic
issues arc to take the place of the once
great issue. Besides, the Republicans,
when they chose to exercise it, without
passing any law, euu exercise
gn at powi r over the south?admitting
or excluding her representatives < r
.senators They will he put to the
test whether they will he willing to
shut the doorsof congress to tie- South
Carolina representatives in the present
congress. Not ft cling the necessitv
for it in the house, they may not do it
,.v ... - I - o
- .. . |.v r.??in? I.nni i n Hire 11)1 V III:IV
t?'il it necessary to keep tlx- ii?gru iu
In ::rt. to retain the balance of poun
hi 11n; liortln rn States, which ait controlled
1?v tiif negro votes because
t!ii'_v liuve t> tin something occasional
|y to warm that race up. Hut I am
satisfied they have adopted a ru w departure.
They are tlividetl theiu.se]veil
oil the silver question. The east is
not k did for silnr. The west Int. a
huge majority ot silver and today the
imIv two print iples left to the In ne*
eratie paitv in ^outli Carolina are < nimty
t" 'lev- I>t:i 1 ami fri? mlship to
free -ilver and t m -ilver senators w ill
llot p< ! lilt IInv ! islatioli on the t.
I 11 ;e? t ion ati I the courts hase rtiiiy
shown t' it they are uv>t eager
s
to punish South Carolina. So we can
reasonably hope to have some i eaoo \
aud quiet for a few years at least.
They are going to lot us alone aud if
we dou't pile on too much auimis opibusque
pariti in attempting to assert
our sovereignty they will let us have
considerable elbow room.
But they are a queer people, especially
under tho rule of Turn Reed, who
at tho present stands the best chauce
[ of beiug tho next President of the
United States, and if he is, I tremble
at what may happen. I was laugbiug
, the other day with some gentlemen at
f tho idea of anybody quoting tho Coni
stitution of the United States to Tom
Reed, if he were President. He is a
i vory ambitious man, but there is many
a slip betwixt the cup aud the lip aud
> a better fate may be in store for this
couutry than to have such a dungerous
man for President,
k I could go on and enlarge on this
s theme if I had dreamed that it was the
pleasure of tho convention to listeu to
) m?. If I hud hiul uuy idcu that it was
i the pleasure of the gcutlciuen to cull
j on mo I ttould have presented other
) silver linings to the cloud that hovers
[ over us. I do not despair for the ro
public. I cannot believe that the great
f Hod above us is goiug to desert this
? people uud turu it over to anarchy or
. civil war. T believe in the sober see
i oud thought of the great Anglo-Saxon
. race, who will decide their differences
1 at the ballot boxes rather than with
( the cartridge. I believe that wo are
f going to have a new alignment of po3
litical parties. There is no telling
what parties or factions we will have
1 in the future. None of us need make
i any rash promises or assume any ex3
tremo positions us to where we will be
t one year hence in politics. I believe
. uew political parties will be organized.
Democracy is not dead. Its principles
are eternal, and the principles announced
by Jefferson, tho great father
t of it, in hiB tirst message in 180], have
3 been the political bible of freemen
r throughout the world; it is their bible
4 to-day, and all that we have to do is to
teach our boys and young men those
principles and let them always refer to
s them as the test of every public man
t and public measure. We may join the
Republican party down here for ino.
tives of policy. I sometimes thiuk
3 that if we had joined the Republican
^ party just after tho war it might have
3 been better for us, but we could uotdo
c it. We were too honest uud too proud.
3 Wc had to come down sorter by
t degrees.
t Now our party has been almost dis*
banded by the treachery of Cleveland,
j and the policy of the Republican party.
fI ln?r?? 18 no r? li tin on* of limtrt in tlimn
r They never went hack on the negro
from principle; it was policy. Their
H gold hugs would insist that silver
should l>o destroyed as inouoy, and
a their own people revolted at it because
.. tliov were not willing to have white
I ed to regulate wages l)?c .etrimlll^VW
r amount of money iu circulation. That
r is what saved us once; it is what saves
. j us now. It is what will save us for
i j ninny years in the future, which shows
i that (Jod in his mysterious way works
[ out things to the right end in the long
. J run. There are general causes w hich,
5 under the same circumstances, with
i the same men, will work out the same
results. Those eauses have heen at
} work for our good as well us for our
[ j harm iu some respects.
Mr. President, this is perhaps the
last time I shall ever talk in a deliberu[
; five assembly of ray countrymen. I
[ I am douo with public life. As 1 roj
marked on a previous occasion, I have
i , enjoyed far more than the average
! share of public honor. My ambitions
. ' have been gratified. I have nothing
to regret except that 1 could not do
, more for mv country.
[ In our debates here I perhaps may,
i in the heat of the moment, lmvo said
i things in a tone of irritation or made
remarks that had better not been
, uttered. There was no personal feoli
iug if I did so. It was but the impulse
! of an honest heart trying to speak the
i : truth as it was understood by me. If
! I have hurt any member's feelings in
' any way, either in debate or in free
[ | personal intercourse, I beg his pardon,
i For the few years that are left me, sir,
I shall always cherish the remembrances
of this convention with pleasure.
I believe I speak what every
member on tliw floor I,<u I.
when I say from the tirst day when we
met here to the present hour, the eonveation
has become more ami more
consolidated us one man, and inspired
by one purpose, stimulated by 0110
effort, to do the best we coulu for our
old mother State, showing that wo
never have been divided (?u principle
during the last six years of strife, and
that our polities have been based upon
men and not measures, personalities |
and not principles, and true Demoe- j
racy as defined by dcflerson demands |
measures, not men.
It must be a source of great grntifi- |
i cation to every member here and to 1
; theii constituents at homo to see with '
t what unanimity, with what courteousj
ness and yet with what independence ;
of action their representatives in this
I body hu\ e made the ( (institution w hich
we hiive just ratified. It is u rainbow
| of h<i|i that the State tuny hereafter '
| to- united us in the past, us one man. i
! I" ?r. remember. my countrymen, it
took all the etVorts we eouhl lay forth
i in 7b, and lor many years thereafter, ,
i to control this State; and if we heroine |
| divided, as I fear we may he, and as I '
, hope we will not for some time to
j eiiiiic, we iiiuv lind it still more ditii- ,
cult I won't say impossible. I have ' !
m abiding faiih in tin Aiiglo-Su\on i
race, as there never lias he? n a eon- I i
h : ihle number of them together ]
\whei that they di I not dominate '
' at v iace with which they earne in eon- ! i
| tact and v?Jiutever may happen I have
i.i :!; that tin y will rule. But as i
; i, li 1 lis 11 v t ?if 'i t that it took
t!. i ined ft t ; all the rnt-u, 1
I ...
women and children in Sonth Carolina
to get and keep oontrol, and thU
we ought to try in a spirit of seKHaorifice
to come together here as
wero in '76.
Gentlemen, I will not detainyou
longer. I thank you for the high compliment
you have paid me. World to
God I could have done more rn my
feeble way to help on thelabto^gf this
body. I have done my bead autl ho
have you all. I hope that! es South
CarolinituiH, an white men and Pomocrats
we will go on as prosperously in .
the fij&ure uh we ever have in the past.
And no matter what Hhall betide us in
tho future I believe wo can meet any
fate, if ml nothing cr.n go amiss with
us unless we forget that we are white
men, Caroliuiaa uud Democrats. (Prolonged
applause.)
A FIKND1SII UEKD.
Two Poor Negroes Flayed to Death
With buggy Truces for u Petty
Theft.
ti... ;i.. ?? 1.. 1 v.:
J UI7 UUIUUO V 1 UU u^ljf 1> UV uill^ I
which occurred iu this State Monday I
has come to light. It took place down
iu Colleton county near the Barnwell
and Hampton linos. The dead bodies
of two of the victims, stripped of'their
clothing, were found, oke being an '
old woman. They had been beaten to
death with new luiggy traces, the iuau's
ott'ence being that ho was suspected of'
having stoleu a Bible and some furniture
from u church and the woman's
offense being that she was supposed to
know something of it. Liquor seems
to be the only excuse for the deed, if
excuse vhere can be.
A young negro, Isom Kenrse, who
wftH suspected of stealing the Bible
tfrom St. Nicholas church, was taken
tiy four or six Barnwell county men
and tied behind their buggy. They
drove so fast the tirsd negro sometimes
lost his footing and was dragged along.
On the way two of the party were
sent back to get the negro's aged mother,
"Old Minima Hannah," aud his
young wife, a girl about 17 years of
age, who has a live-mouths-old infant.
At the ferry the party held up. When
the woman arrived, uoue of the three
would or could toll anything about the
church property. Upou their refusal
they were all throo stripped naked
and lieateu with a new buggy trace,
which it is said was almost worn out.
The men was given about 150 lashes
and fell insensible, his body being in a
terrible condition; the women were
likewise severely beaten. The man
several times pleaded with his tormeuters
to shoot him. Tho old wouiiiu
broke away und dashed into the
woods. The youug woman did
likewise,going in a different direction.
The men built a lire near the insensible
negro, threw his oldcaat over him and
left. On Wednesday morning his body
was found where it was left, cold in
death, IL had been there one night and
I a. , llrT, . il?, ? . - ^ ? swamp,
/lug in a pqcir^i wai. ^
knee de p, wa? found the old w'e^ body,
uold and etilT. Mho had mne'a
face downward with her hands extended.
The young woraau managed to find
her way home, and is said to be in a
critical condition.
The coroner's jury has rendered a
verdict charging directly four prominent
men, one a pbysiciau, with tho
crime. Others, who tried to prevent
the deed, gave tho information.
HANGED AT CHESTER.
Lloyd, the Slayer of Willie Welsh,
Pays tlic Pen::I.y.
Charles Lloyd, the negro who killed
young Willio Welsh at the Hailo gold
mine, Lancaster county, was hanged
at Chester on Friday in tho countv
jail. The drop fell at 11:38 uud Lloyd
was pronounced dead by Dr. Driee in
2f> minutes. Owing to rumors that
Lloyd would be lynched in Lancaster,
Solicitor Heury secured a change of
veuue and the prisoner *vas curried to
Chester for trial. Ho was convicted
ut the October term of court and on
Friduy fail lie red the full penalty of the
law.
THIIEE AT HAMPTON.
The three negroes?Price CJrahum,
Jason Blake and William Frazier?
who so brutally murdered Mr. E. K.
Mears on the night of August 9th for
the purpose of robbery, were executed
at Hampton on Friday in the enclosure
of the county jail.
They all confessed to the murder and
said they were ready to die. Graham
and Blake struggled for u minute or
two and Frazier was dead as soon as
the drop fell
They held out to the last that the
negro, William Blake, Sr., who wus
lynched at that place on the night of |
the 19th of October, after he had been i
scuteuccd to life in the State penitentiary,
had nothing to do with the killing
whatever.
OM. At" AunKvinnF..
Tom Petcrkin, the negro who assinated
Dispensary Constable Moseley, at
Greenwood, a few months ago. was
hung in the jailyard at Abbeville on
Friilnv 111' imiili' n,? wt> ..I
- J "" ,,,v i,v "" 1111
gallows, l?ut his "tiilt was proveuat tlie
trial beyond a doubt.
Tin* execution was vueecssl'iilly done
and his neeU was broken. No friends
claimed the hotly ami I'eterkin was
buried at tin- county's expcuso in tin
potter's liciti.
Several NominatIons.
Tfa* Pr -.ident h:t- -rut to tin- Senate tho
nominalno;- t>f the I nitlted States jutltjes,
marshal- uid alt- rneys made during the
rse-1 I)[ (' m'ress. Illl'llltl'd III these are
llit'.se a Walter K. I'ai.-on. of North t'arolina,
*<) tie s .lieitor for the lh'partmout of State;
Williao, M SjiritiKer. of Illinois, jinl^e of tlat
north 11 -t * let ami ('<iiistaiitine It. Kilijore,
if T 'i the southern ilistriet of Italian
1 r if .111 I Williiaai I.. Iuhur> t nited
stti!' 'e v lor the !i*tri t Df Maryland.
*lr. n; . i .r v' was nominated damn; i.tat
a; -* 1 ;t'.he s-.-n i'e to - no a
f
u
f A
THE CONVENTION'S WORK ENDS.
Tta? N?w Constitution Now the Caw. A
Review of Its Moat Important
Features.
After remaining iu session for three
months, lens one week, tko constitutional
oouveutiou has at last completed
the work of framing a new conHtitution
for the State ot South Caroliua and
has adjourned nine die. Seven members
of the convention voted against
the final adoption of the now orgauio
law. Mr. Doylo voted with these
seven at first, but upon the completion
of tho roll call had his vote changed.
It has taken a long time and no end of
debate to construct the new orgauio
law, and consequently many radical
ohanges from the old constitution have
been made, the five most radical beiug
the regulation of tho suffrage, with tho
"understanding" feature; tho increase
in tho school tax; tho imposition of the
graduatod income tax; tho putting in
or rue uispeuHary law regulations, turn
the adoption of tbe anti-lynch law
Hcction, which is tho only provision of
tho kind in any Stato constitution.
Then thoro is tho increase of tho
Supremo Court to four justices, aud an
endless number of other important
changes.
Tho convention wns in sassiou so
long that it come to bo considered almost
a part of tho Stato government.
It is needless to say that a good many
mouthers seem to be much fatigued
and worn out, aud no doubt they will
be glad to get away to to their homes.
Tho cost of framing tho new constitution
has been greater thau was expected,
but that has been provided for and
the people will scarcely complain.
Thus far very few opinions as to the
merits or demerits of tho paper have
been expressed, but no doubt many of
its features will be heurd from during
tho coming state campaign.
Tho convention's members as a
whole have stuck pretty close to their
work during the entire session and are
to be commended for their endurance.
Thr o members of tho couventiou died
during the session. Wednesday's work
was purely of a routine character from
beginning to eud, the committee on order,
stylo and revision directing tho
proceedings. This committee has done
its work in the most thorough manner.
The consideration of the committee's
proposed auieudmeuts was completed
Wednesday at exactly 1:38 p. 111., and
after considering some re?o utious the
convention at - p. m. took a recess iill
4 p. in. to allow the committor to have
ehauges put iu the enrolled copy. Iu
the afternoon tlio committee had all
these pageB ready. They were adopted
after being carefully revised, and
then the constitution was adopted as a
whole. A recess was then taken till
7:30 to allow the committee to arrange
the enrolled sheets iu their proper order.
Iu the interim a mock convention
was held aud much sport indulged
in.
TVedi>, iiUffreWft^- the final sea^
constitution was v
? iconuent Evans signed lirsfc?tJr?r.r<?-^
Gen. Robert Smalls, one of the negro
members, refused to sign. The other
negroes were not in the hall. At two
miuutes of 9 o'clock the constitution
was declared the organic law of the
State. The convention then weut into
committee of the whole with Mr.
George Johnstone in the chair. Appropriate
resolutions wore adopted.
When President Evans again took tho
chair, Mr. Bellinger, on behalf of the
delegates, presented him with a handsome
gold watch. President Evans
then delivered his furewell address,
speaking as follows:
"There are times, gentlemen, places
and circumstances, that bring the
hearts of men together, wlieu the outside
bickerings, when dissensions, when
animosities are forgotten and hearts
that were divided become united and
beat for one body. I feel that this
convention, representing the sovereignty
of Koilt.il (!iiri>lin? una- i r?
that condition. It Iiuk been the cherished
hope of the most of us that this
convention would be tin? means of
framing a law around which South
Carolinians could unite; around which
a divided people could unite and bury
past differences and be brethren onco
more. I feel that that has been accomplished.
We came here with some
misgivings. We came here some of us
mistrustiug one another. We came
here possiidy thinking that some of us
in the heat of debate, in passion,
would inHict wounds that .would never
be healed. I thank God that this has
not been the case. T thank Gofl that
this body will ailjourn, and I say it
from my own heart and I believe I but
reflect the fee.ings and the sentiments
of every delegate upon this floor when
I say that when we leave here wo leave
it with no heart-burnings?with no
prejudices. We leave it u united people
once more."
He then thanked the body for honoring
him, and for the gift to him. Ho
then made the following appropriate
personal reference: "And now, gentlemen,
let me assure you that before
'\'o meet in another constituiutional
convention I shall be a married
r.iuu. 1 am satisfied, gentlemen,
it will be sooner, l>ut this is not the
place this is too dignified a place?to
make rash promises. '
A compliment was paid to the verier*
aloe statesman, ex-Congressman Geo.
I".. Tillman, the convention calling on
him for a speech, and he spoke for a
half hour (h aling with national issues,
and praying Heaven that Torn lieed
won't I v the next President
The convi ntion closed its session in
an impressive manner, singing ,-God
bewi'b \ on till we meet again," led i>y
Clerk Melton, and the benediction l?y
('hap'iin I'arrott. The adjournment
sine die was reached at '.1:57 1*2 on
Wednesday night.
Value of tlie Trade Hollar.
Tlio despised trad" dollar, which went out
of circulation several years ago, is r.o.v
worth but IHty-flvo cunts, or practically its
bullion value. I
%
THE PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS DISCUSSED.
Our Relations With Kngliuid-Tlio
Cuban Insurrection and American
Massacres, etc.
On Tuesday at noon tho loug-expoctod
Message from President Cleveland
was read beforo Congress. The document
was very lengthy, but below
will bo found its Rulient points:
To the Congress of the United States:
Tho present assemblage of tho legis
ltitive branch of our government occurs
at a time wheu the interests of our
peoplo and the needs of the country
give to tho condition of our foreign
relations and the exigencies of our
national finances special importance.
Tho reports of the heads of tho
several administration departments of
tho government fully and plainly exhibit
what has been accomplished
within the scope of their respective
duties, and present such recommendations
for the betterment of our country's
condition as patriotic and intelligent
labor and observation suggest.
After reviewing iu a general way the
reports referred to the Presidents proceeds.
The resumption of specie payments
by Chili is a typo of great interest and
importance both in its direct consequences
upon her own welfare, and as an
evidence of tho ascendency of sound
financial principles in one of the most
influential of the South Americuu republics.
I take pleasure in calling to your attention
tho encomiums bestowed on
thoso vessels of our new navy which
took part in tho notable ceremony of
tho Kiel Canal.
Our relations with Great Britiau, always
intimate and important, have demanded
during tho past year even a
greater share of consideration Ihau is
usual. Several vexatious questions
wore left undetermined by the decision
of tbo JJeiinug ?ea arbitration tribunal.
Tho application of the principles laid
down by that auguat body has not been
followed by tho rcHtiks tlioy were intended
to accomplish, because their execution
has been more or less imperfect.
The understanding by which tho
United States was to pay and Oreut
Britian to receive a lump sum of
$425,000 in full settlement of all British
claims for damages arising from
our seizure of British sealing vessels
unauthorized under the award of the
parish tribunal of arbitration was not
confirmed by the last Congress, which
declined to make the necessary appropriation.
I am still of tho opinion that
J?is*nrrnunremeut was a iudicious ami
11 |f -uittgeous out tor the Coverumcflf?
ttml I earnestly recommend that it bo
ugain considered and sanctioned. Notwithstanding
that (treat Britain originated
the proposal to enforce international
rules, for the prevention of collisions
at sea.
VENEZUELA noUNOARY DISPUTE.
It heipg apparent that tho boundary dispute
between (Jrent Britain and tho ltepubiie
of Venezuela concerning tho limits of
British Guiana was approaching an acuta
stage, a deilnite statement of interest and
policy of the United States as regards tho
controversy soomod to bo rcquired both on
its own account and in view of its relations
with the friendly powers directly concerned.
In July last, therefore, a dispatch was addressed
to our embassador at London for
communication to the British government,in
which the attitudo of the United Slates was
fully and distinctly sot forth. Tho general
conclusions therein reached and formulated
are in substance that the traditional and
established policy of this government is
firmly opposed to a forcible increase by any
European power of its territorial possessions
oii mis continent; mat this policy is as well
founded in principle as it is strongly supported
by numerous precedents: that its a
consequence tho United States is hound to
protest against I lie enlargement of the area
of Jiritish Guiana in derogation of tho rights
and against will <>f Venezuela; the territorial
dispute between them eun he re:isonahly scttled
only hy friendly and impartial arbitration,
and that the resort to such arbitration should
include the whole controversy and is not satislicd
if one of tho powers concerned is permitted
to draw an arbitrary line through the
territory in debate and to declare that it will
submit to arbitration only the portion lying
on one side of it. In view of these conclusions,
tho dispatch in question called upon
tho liritlsli government for a dellnite answer
to the question whether it would or would
not submit tho territory controversy between
itself and Venezuela in its entirety to impartial
arbitration. Tho answer of the liritish
government has not yet been received, but
is expected shortly, when further communication
on tim subjiH-t will probably bo made
to the Congress.
TUB CUBAN INHUUKECTION.
Cuba is again gravely disturbed. Au insurrection,
in some respects more active
than the last proceeding revolt, which continued
from 18f>8 to 1878, now exists in a
large part of tie' eastern interior of the Island
menacing even some population on the
const, besides deranging the commercial exchange
of the Island of which our country
takes the predominant share. This flagrant
condition of hostility by arousing sentimental
sympathy and inciting adventurous support
among our pie bus entailed earnest effort
on the part of this government to enforce
obedience to <>ur neutrality laws and to prevent
t lie territory of the United States from
being abused as a vantage ground from
?ini'ii i<? itm in"->- in arms n^uinsi Spanish
sovereignty. Whatever may be the traditional
sympathy of our countrymen as indivictuals
tlii- plain duty of their Kovcrnnrieiit is
tu observe kooiI faitii in tlm recognized oi?li^utioiis
of internal relationship.
AUMKNIAN MAHHArlllS.
Occurrences in Turkey have eontiuueil to
excite eoneern. The reported massacres of
Christians in Armenia and the development
there and in other districts of aspirit of fanatic
hostility to Christian inllueuees naturally
excited apprehension for the safety of
the devoted men and women, who, as dependents
of the foreign missionary societies
in the I'nited States, reside in Turkey under
tin-guarantee of law and usu^e and in the
legitimate perf'irniarico of their educational
and religious mission. No efforts have been,
i oared in their tiehalf, and their protection
in person and property has lieen earnestly
and vigorously enforced by every means
within our power.
Iinference is made to the extension of the
ivil service rules to certain consular appointments
and then folio wr
?W". s
ocn riNANCIAli BITOATIO*
As we tarn from a review of our foreign. %
relations to the contemplation of our nation- ?
al fluauoiul situation we are immediately B
aware thnt we approach a Bubjoct of domea- f
tie concern more important than any other
that can engage our attention, und one at ^
present in such a perplexing and dellcnte u |
predicament as to require prompt and wise *
treatment.
By command of the people a customs rove- 1
nuo system, designed for the protection and S
benefit of favored classes at the expense of i
the great masses of our oountrymen, and r
which, while lnefllclont for the purpose of (j
revenue, curtailed our trado relations and
Impeded our entrance to the markets of the ,
world, has been superacedod by a tariff V
Klloy, which In principle Is based upon a
inifil of tint rlorht of that (fitvnrnmnnt lit
obstruct the avenues to our peoples' cheap
living or lesson their comfort aud contentment.
for the sake of according especial advantages
to favorites, and wbioh, while j&
encouraging our iuterior aud trade with f.
other nations, recognizes the fact that Ameri- '
can solf-reliauoo, thrift, and ingenuity can X
build up our country's Industries und develop
its resources more surely thau nu enervating
paternalism in February, 1895, therefore, the
situation was exceedingly critical.
The results of prior bond issues had been l
exceedingly unsatisfactory, and the large a
withdrawals of gold immediately succeeding <
to their public sale in open market gave rise to S
a reasonable suspicion that a large part of M
the gold paid into the treasury upon such M
sales was promptly drawn out again by the' I
presentation of United Btatos notes or treasury
notes aud found its wuy to the iiands of I
tlioso who had only temporarily parted with %
it in the purehnso of bonds. E
Tho message then takes up tho repeal of 1
the silver purchase etause, says It under- S
mined eonlldomo and produced the panic.
Tho history of tho issue and partial redemp- ?
tion of United Btates notes is given at length. ]
HOLD KKSKBVB.
Stress is laid on the importance of tho gold 1
reserve. Loss of gold is attributed to tho i
existenco of Treasury notes. Tho rise and y
fall of the reserve is followed, and the history
of the bond Issues, matters that aro farni- 4
liar toonr renders, are rehearsed in dotuil.
Then follows a history of tho contract with
the bond syndicate.
"I have never had the slightest misgiving
ooaoerning the wisdom or proprioty of this
arrangement."
As to further gold withdrawals it says:
Quite large withdrawals for shipment in tho
immediate future aro predicted in well In- f
formed quarters. About $lfi,000,000 has
been withdrawn during the month ol November.
The foregoing statement of counts and
condition, develops the fact that alter increasing
our interest hearing bonded iudubt
odness more than $162,000,000 to savo our
gold reserve. wo arc nearly whom wo started, ?j
having now in such reserve 579,333,906, as
against 865,438.377 in Fob. 1891, when tho
lirst bonds were issued.
The government bus paid in gold moro
than nine-tout I is of its United States notes
aud still owes thoni all. It lias paid in gold'
about oue-bnif of its uolos given for silver
purchases without extinguishing i>y such *
payment one dollar of those notes. The
government has incurred a bonded indebtedness
of '595,500,000 in establishing a gold
reserve, aud of 5162,315,400 in efforts to
maiutain it. V
FAVORS BKTlllKMKNT OF OrfKKNliAi KM.
Trouble is found In the retirement and con- J
cellation of our UnltedStates lion's,common- 7
ly oalled greenbacks, and the outstanding
treasury notes issued by the government in
payment of silver purchases under the act of
1890.
I believe this could Up quito readily aceoni- I
plished by tho exchange of those notes for H
United States bonds of small as well as largo J '
i deuomiuations, bearing a low rate of inter- 1
The currency withdrawn by tho retirement j
of the United States uotos and treasury notes,. I
amounting to probably less than 5486,000,000,. 8
might be supplied by such gold as would be i
*T? o?t ->r h.v * *?, increase in
tc. uloat national banks.
I think they should be allowed to L?ue clr- -$
culation equal to tho par value of tho bonds \{
they deposit to secure it, and that tho tax on
their circulation should be reduced to ? nofourth
of one per cent., which would undoubtedly
moot all tho oxj?enso the govern- ,*
mcnt incurs ou their account. | 8
In a general way tho President proceeds to
intimate thut tho establishment of Stato
banks may bo a uocessity. As to silver coin- ?
ago, he says:
I do not overlook tho fact that the cancellation
of the treasury notes issued under the
silver purchasing act of 1890 would leave tho '
treasury in tho actual ownership of sufUeient
silver including seigniorage, to colli nearly ?
8178,000,000 in standard dollars. It is worthy
of consideration whether tills might not,
from time to time, be converted into dollars
or fractional coin and slowly nut Into circuI<i
i- ?i... i..J -
...wwii <1.-. 111 mvj jihikiiu'ih- oi iue Becrotary
of tlit! Treasury tins necessities of the country
should require.
HIMKTA1.L1HM IMrOSHIDLK.
No government, no human contrivance or
act of legislation. has over been able to hold
the two metals together in free coinage at. a ?
ratio appreciably different from that which la ?
established in the market# of the world,
Those who believe that our independent freo
coinage of silver at an artificial ratio with
gold of 10 to 1 would restore the purity be- "
t ween the metals, and consequently between
the coins, oppose an unsupported and improbublo
theory to the general belief and
practice of other nutions, and to tiie teaching
of the wisest statesmen and economist of
the world, both in the past and present.
The President then went on to argue the
impractahiiity of bimetalism, upheld the gold
standard as tho only true means of value,
holding that "it does not despise silver nor
seek its banishment," and that "sueh a
standard also gives freo scope for the use and
expansion of safe and conservative credit." ^
He urges tho udvocatee of free coinage of
silvor to re-examine their views and beliefs jb
in the light of patriotic reason and familiar ' *
experience, and to weigh again and uguin* j|
tho consequences of such legislation as their
efforts hnvo invited. Even the continued
agitation of the subjcot ndds greatly to the S
difficulties of a dangerous flnnm-ia! situation
already forced upon us.
In conclusion I especially entreat the poo- 8
pie's representatives in the Congress, who are. ||
charged with tho responsibility of inauguru-, .
ting measures for tho safety and prosperity,
of our common country to promptly and effectively
consider the ills of our critical financial
plight. I bavo suggested a remedy
which my judgment approves.
I desire, however, to assure the Congress
| that I am prepared to co-operate with them
| in perfecting any other measure promising'
thorough and practical relief, and that I will
gladly labor with tlioin in every patriotic onI
,I,.i.......f.#1... i- ? *>
......... ............ .....I.... .1.,-i.niim Kuiiru inn
: welfare of our countrymen wliom in our ri;?'
! speetivo places of iluty wo have undertaken
to serve. I
The (tentucUy legislature it Tie on ^
Joint. Ilnllot.
In the special election hcl?l in the sixth
and moventli wards of Louisville, Ky.f on j
Saturday, Aulliony Carroll, ox-Speaker of
the I ant llonse, defeated Charles Itlatr., Itepiihliejiii,
hv a majority of 152. Tho re-. ,
eleetioii of Mr. Carroll makes tho General
Assembly a tie on joint Itallot with IIS l)emo ,
erats and (is Itepuhlieaiis and two Populists.'
One of these Populists is pledged to vote for' ,
the Itepiihlieaus, who endorsed him, :tud tho
other with the Democrats.
World's Visible Supply of Cotton. I
'i'lie total visible supply of cotton for thor
world Is :i,754,10'.) hales, of whieh 3.418,0011. . ^
hales are Ameriran, against 4,2.'I2,H8I hales
respectively last year; receipts of cotton this,
week at all interior towns, 104,2:10 hales
receipts from the plantations, 205,571 bai'vs; 1 crop
in sight 3.800,000 hales. ;
. 4