The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1893-08-09

nhahees ls Bfolnuiesa ard that there Is no
raason for lack of confidence Ia tic mr.
poses or power of the government I'M the
premises. The very existence OF this an
prehension and lack OF confidence. how
ever caused, is a menace which ought not
for moment to be disregardeti Possibly
If the undertaking we have in hand
were the maintenance OF a snecific
known quantity of silver at a rarity.
with gold, our ability to do so might be
estimated and gagged. and perhaps in view
of our unparalleled growth and resources.
might be fayorably passed upon. But
when our ayowed endcavor Is to maintain
such parity in regard to an amount of sil-
yer increasing at the rate OF S5O.OJO.ON
yearly, with no fixed termination to such
increase, 1t can hardly be said that a prob
lem is presented whose solution is free
from doubt.
The people of the United States are en-
titled to a sound and stable currency and
to money recognized as such on every e,S
change and in every market of the world.
Their government has no right to iniure
them by financial experiments opposed to
the policy and practice OF other civilized
states nor is it justified in permitting an
exaggerated and unreasonable reliance IN
our national strength aud ability to
jeopardize tho soundness of the peoples
money.
This matter rises above the plane of
party politics. 1t vitality concerns every
business and calling and enters every
household in the land. There is one i'm
portant aspect of the subject which cspe-
cially should never be overlooked AT
times like the present, when the evils of
unsound finance threaten us, the specu-
lator may anticipate a harvest gathered
from the misfortune OF others, the capital
list may protect himself by boarding, or
may even find profit in the fudthatien of
values; but the wage earner-the first to be
injured by appreciated currency and the
last to receive the benefit of its correction
lis practically defenseiess. He relies for
work upon the ventures of confident ard
contented capital This falling him his
condition is without alienation, for he can
neither prey on the misfortunes of others
nor hoard his labor. One of the greatest
statesmen our country has known, speak
ing more than. 80 years ago when de
rangement 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 mat
tiers, is the man who earns his daily bread
by his daily toll"
These words are as pertinent now as on
the day they were uttered, and ought to
impressivcly remind us that a failure in
the discharge of our duty at this time must
especially injure those of our countrymen
who labor. and who, because of their num-
Der and condition, are entitled to the most
watchful care of their government.
II is of the utmost importance that such
relief as congress can afford in the existing
situation be afforded at once The maxim
He gives twice who gives quickly is d.
rectly applicable. 1t may be true That the
embarraSsments from which the business in
the country is suffering arise MS much from
evils apprehended as from those actually
existing. We may hope, too, that calm
counsels will prevail and that neither the
capitalists nor the wage-earners will give
way to unreasoning panic and sacrifice
their property or their interests under the
influence of exaggerated fears.
Nevertheless, every days delay in remov-
ing one of the plain and principal causes of
the present state of things enlargcs. the
mischief already done and increases the re
sponsibility of the government for its ex-
istence. Whatever else the people have a
right to expect from congress they may
certainly demand that legislation con
demned by the ordeal of three years disas-
trous experience shall be removed from
the statute books soon as their repre-
sentatives can legitmately deal with it.
1t was my purpose to summon congress
in special session carly in the coming Sep
tember, that we might enter promptly up
OIL Iue WOtk OF UtlrlII REFORM, WHICH the
true interests of the country clearly de
mand, which SO largo. a majority of the
people as shown by their SURFACES, desire
and expect, and to the accomplishment of
which every effort of the administration is
pledged. But while tariff reform has lost
nothing of its immediate and permanent
importance, and must in the near future
engage the attention of congress, it has
seemed to me that the financial condition
of the country should at once and before
all other subjects. be considered by your
honorable body.
Earnestly recommend the prompt re-
peal of the provisions of the act passed
July IL, 1880, authorizing the purchase of
silver bullion, and that other legislative
action may put beyond all doubt or mis-
take the intention and the ability of the
government to fulfill its pecuniary obliga-
tions in money universally recognized by
all civilized countries.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
AI,rr 1909