Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-08-17

caused, l. a menace h-cs. oEzh. usr I 1 z Isl5
nent be disi egarLed Possibly. Il tae Jnder-
taking we lave IN hand were the main
tenanee Of specific known quantity 81
silver az a parity with gold. our ability .
do 80 might be estimated and guaged and
perhaps in view OF our unparalleled growth
aud resources, might be favcraLly passed upon.
But when our avowed endeavor is 70 maintain
such parity in regard % an amount Of silver
increasing at the rate Of Sj00O,0O0 yearly, with
no fixed termination 70 such increase. it can
hardly be said that problem is presented
whose solution Is free from doubt
Ike people of the United States are entitled
to sound and stable currency and TO money
recognized as such on every exchange and in
every market Of the world Their government
has no right % injure them by financial ex-
periinents opposed 70 the policy and practice
OF other civilized states nor is il
justified in permitting an exaggerated
and unreasonable reliance on our national
strength and ability TO jeopardize the sound
ness Of the peoples money. This matter rises
above the plane Of party politics II vitality
concerns every business and calling and enters
every household in the land. There is
one important aspect of the subject
overlooked. At times like the present when
the evils Of unsound finance threaten u.s. the
Spectator may anticipate harvest gathered
from the misfortune Of others, the capitalist
may protect himself by boarding or may even
find profit in the huctuation OF values; but the
wage-earner-the first to be injured by 3
deprecated currency and the last to receive
the benefit Of its correction-is practically de-
fenseless. He relies for work upon the vent
ures of confident and contented capital. This
failing him. his condition is without allevia-
ton, for he can neither prey on the misfort-
unes Of others, nor hoard his labor One OF
me greatest statesmen our country has
when arrangement Of the currency had
caused commercial distress, said 1.-The very
man OF all others who has the deepest interest
in sound currency and who suffers most by
mischievOus legislation in money matters. Is
toll"
they were uttered, and ought to impressively
remind us that a failure IL the discharge of
our duty at this time must especially injure
those of our countrymen who labor, and who
because of their number and condition are en-
titled to the most watchful care of their gov
eminent. 1t is OF the utmost importance that
such relief as congress can afford in the exist
ing situation be afforded at once. The maxim,
HE gives twice who gives quickly" is directly
applicable. It may be true that the embar
easements from which the business of the
country is suffering arise as much from evils
apprehended as from those actually
existing. We may hope, too. that
calm counsels viii prevail and that neither the
capitalists nor the wage earners will give way
to unreasoning panic and sacrifice their prop
erty or their interest under the influence of ex-
aggerated fears. Nevertheless. every DAYS
delay in removing one of the plain and prin-
cipal causes Of the present state of affairs en-
larges the mischief already done and increases
the responsibility of the government for its ex
istcnce. Whatever else the people have a right
TO expect from congress they may certainly
demand that legislation condemned by the
ordeal of three wears disastrous experience
shall be removed from the statute books as
soon as their representatives can legitimately
deal with il.
1t was my purpose to summon congress in
special session early in the coming September
that We might enter promptly upon the work
Of tariff REFORM which the true interests of the
country clearly demand-which SO large a ma
l0rity Of the people, as shown by their sui
frages, desire and expect. and to the accom-
plishment of which every effort of the present
administration is pledged. But while tariff re
form has lost nothing of its immediate and
permanent Importance. and must in the near
future engage the attention of congress. il has
seemed 10 me that the financial condition of
the country should at once and before all other
subjects be considered by your honorable
body
l earnestly recommend the prompt repeal of
the provisions of the 2ct passed July Il, 1890
authorizing the purchase of silver bullion. and
that other legislative action may put beyond
all doubt or mistake the intention and the
ability Of she government to fill its pecuniary
Obligations in money universally recognized by
all civilized countries.
(Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Aug Z 1893.