The foreign commerce of the United States had reached the largest total in the history of the country.

The prophecies made by the antisilver men regarding disasters to result from the Silver Bullion Purchase Act, had not been realized.

The President remarked "that the increased volume of currency thus supplied for the use of the people was needed and that beneficial results upon trade and prices have followed this legislation I think must be clear to every one." He held that the free coinage of silver would be disastrous, as it would contract the currency by the withdrawal of gold, whereas "the business of the world requires the use of both metals." While "the producers of silver are entitled to just consideration," it should be remembered that "bimetallism is the desired end, and the true friends of silver will be careful not to overrun the goal." In conclusion, the President expressed his great joy over "many evidences of the increased unification of the people and of the revived national spirit.

The vista that now opens to us is wider and more glorious than before.

Gratification and amazement struggle for supremacy as we contemplate the population, wealth, and moral strength of our country." Though the course of events has yet to be fully explained, President Harrison's dull pomposity may have been the underlying reason of the aversion which Blaine now began to manifest.