The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-09

gain n hearing In favor Of suoh an arrange
ment. 20 long aa We are willing to continue
our attempt to accomplish tho result single
handed.
Tho knowledge In business cir clea among
our people that our government cinnot
make itn ilat equivalent to Intrinsic value,
cannot keep inferior money on parity
with superior money by its own inde end
ent efforts, has resulted in such a lack OF
confidence nj homo in the stability of cur
renOY values that capital refuses ita aid TO
new enterprises. while millions arc actually
withdrawn from the channels OF trade and
commerce 10 become Idle and unproductive
IN the hands Of tImid owners.
Foreign investors are equally alert. They
not only decline TO purchase American Sc
outitiss, bus make haste TO sacrifice those
which they already have. IL docs not most
the situation to say the apprehension In re-
gard TO the future OF our finances is ground.
less and that thsfe Ia no teason for lack OF
confidence in the purpose or power OF the
government In the prarnises. The very OK
istence OF this ptehension and lack OF
confidence, however, has caused q menace
which ought not for momsnt to be disre-
gsrded.
Possibly II tho undertaking we have in
hand were the maintenance OF specific.
known quantity Of silver at a parity with
gold, our ability to do SO might be esti-
mated and aaugsd, and. perhaps In view OF
our unpar sllelsd growth and resou sss.
might be favorabiy passed upon. But when
our avowed endeavor IL to maintain such
parity III regard 10 an amount OF silver in
oreasing at the rate of 100000 ysarly.
with no dIed termination TO such increase.
II can hardly be said that problem Is pre-
sentsd whose solution is free from doubt.
Tho people OF the United States are snti-
tlsd to . sound. stable currency, and to
money recognized as suoh on every OK
n md iva Lak IN ha
Their government has no right to injura
them by financial experiments opposed ia
the policy and Practice of other civilized
states; nor ia IL justified In permitting an
exaggerated and unreasonable reliance on
our national strength and ability to ieop-
Th.s matter rises above the plane OF party
politics. II vitality concerns every business
and calling and enters every household in
the land. There 10 one important aspect OF
the subject which especially should never
be overlooked. At Z time like the present
when the evils OF unsound finance threaten
u.s. tho spsc1lator may anticipate thu har-
vest gathered from the rnisfortunes of
othors; the capitalist may protect himself
by boarding or NAV find profit in huctua-
tion of values; but the waRe-e Garner is the
FIRST to be injured by deprecated onr-
rcnoy and the last to receive tbs benefit Of
its correction. He is practically defense.
confident and contented capital. his
failing him. his condition 10 without allie
Walton. for he con neither prey on the mis-
fortunes of oshors, nor hoard his labor.
One of the greatest statesmen our coun-
try has known. speaking more than fifty
years ago. whom dsrangement OF the cur
rency had caused commercial distress,
said: "Yhe very man of all others who has
the deepest interest in = sound currency
and who suffers by nisehievous lsgislation
in monetary matters, is the man who earns
his daily bread by his daily toll"
These words ire as pertinent now as on
the day they were uttered. and ought to
impressivelr remind US that failure in the
discharge Of our duty at this time mns'
especially injure those of our countrymen
who labor and who. because Of their mum
bst and condition. are entitled TO the mos
watchful care of their government.
II il Of the utmost Importance that such
| relief ne congress can AFFORD in the existing
situation bs afforded at once. he maxim
'Ho gives twice who gives quickly" is di-
| reotly applicable.
Itm may be true that the embarrassment,
from whioh tho business of the county Ia
| suffering arise as much from evils ap-
pretended as from those actually existing
We may hope. too, that calm counsel,
will prevail, and tnat neither capitalists
nor waeoarnsrs will give way to unreason-
ing panic. and sacrifice their property ol
their interests under the influence OF sx-
ageeratsd fears. Nevertheless, every delay
in removing one Of the plain and principa
causes Of the present state OF things en-
larses the mischief already done and in
cEeosos the responsibility OF the govern.
ment for its existence. Whatever else the
psople have a right to expect from congre ess
they may certsinly demand that legisla-
tion, condemned by an ordeal of thr es
rs':dissatrous experience shall be re-
moved from the statute books a. soon al
their Representatives oan lsgitimatsly dsal
with it.
Ii was my purpose TO summon congress In
special session cary in the coming Sspten-
Der tbnt VIC might enter prom pity upon the
work of tariff reform, which the true inter
ests Of the country clearly demand; which
40 large a ma ajority of the people, as shown
by their sutf ages. desire and expect, and to
accomplish which every effort of the present
administration 10 pledged. But while tariff
reform has lost none of its immediate and
permanent importance. and must in the
near future engage the attention OF oon-
gross, il has seemed 10 mo that the fnancis
condition Of the country should at once snt
bsfo; all subjects be considered by you
honorable body.
Iearnsstly recommend the prompt repea
of the provisions Of the act passed July IA
1890. authorizing the purchase OF silve
bullion, and that oths, legislative aotio,
may put beyond all doubt Of mistake tn
fulfl its pocuniary obligations in money
universally recognized by all civilized coun
tries. (Signsd.) GROVER CLEVELAND.
Az