Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/107

WILLIAM McKINLEY 79 "Rebellion may delay, but it can never defeat the American flag s blessed mission of liberty and hu manity." Later, at the Ocean Grove Assembly, New Jersey, McKinley remarked: "There has been doubt expressed in some quarters as to the purpose of the government respecting the Philip pines. I can see no harm in stating it in this pres ence. Peace first, then, with charity for all, the establishment of a government of law and order, protecting life and property, and occupation for the well-being of the people, in which they will partici pate under the Stars and Stripes." The presi dent s message to congress in December, 1899, was cordially received and very generally commended throughout the country. During the year 1900 the volume of currency per capita was the greatest in the history of the na tion ; the total money of the country on September 1 amounted to over two billions and ninety-six mil lions of dollars. Industrial and agricultural condi tions advanced in prosperity in every section of the United States. Under these benign conditions the nation had also become a money-lending instead of a money-borrowing country. The national and in ternational questions which arose during the year were of a most serious nature, but were solved by President McKinley and his cabinet with unusual sagacity, and with results of the highest importance to the United States and to the world at large.