Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-08-11

| future OF our finances is groundless ana
that there is no reason for lack OF con
| fdence in the purposes or power OF the
government in the premises. The very
existence Of this apprehension and lack
OF confidence, however caused, Is
menace which ought not for moment
to be disregarded. Possibly IL the
undertaking we have in hand were the
maintenance of specific known guam
tity of silver as a parity with gold, our
ability to do so might be estimated ana
gagged, and perhaps in view OF our
unparalleled growth and resources,
might be favorably passed upon. But
when our avowed endeavor is to main
tain such party in regard to an amount
OF silver increasing at the rate OF $780,
900, 900 yearly, with no fixed termination
to such increase, it can hardly be said
that problem is presented whose solu-
ton is free from doubt.
The people Of the United States are
entitled to a sound and stable currency
and to money recognized as such on
every exchange and in every market oil
the world. Their government has no
right to iniure them by financial ex-
periments opposed to the policy and
practice OF other civilized States, nor is
it justified in permitting an exaggerated
and unreasonable reliance on our nat
ional strength and ability to ieopardize
1.-THE 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 es-
peciallv should never be overlooked. Al
times like the present, when the evils OF
unsound finance threaten us, the specu-
lator may anticipate harvest gathered
from the misfortune OF others, the capt.
taist may protect himself by boarding
or may even find profit in the fluctuatlon
of values, but the wage-earner-the nrst
to be injured by deprecated currency
. and the last to receive the benefit OF It's
correctiOn-is practically defenseless.
He relies for work upon the ventures OF
confident and cOntented capital. inns
, failing 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, speaking more
than fifty years ago when arrangement
OF the currency had caused commerce.,
! 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 the man who earns his dalIy
bread by his daily toll"
These words are as pertinent now as
! on the day they were uttered, and ough'
! to impressiyely remind us that failure
. in the discharge Of our duty at this time
must especially iniure those OF Oui
countrvmen who labor, and who, be-
cause of their number and condition,
are entitled to the most watchful care OF
their government.
1t 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 directly applicable. 1t may
: be true that the embarrassment from
which the business of the country IS
, suffering arises as much from evils
! apprehended a from those actually
existing. We may hope, too, that calm
cOunscls will prevail, and that neither
the capitalists nor the wage-earners Will
give way to unreasOning panic and
: sacrifice their property or their interests
a under the influence OF exaggerated fears
! Nevertheless, every days delay IN re.
, moving one Of the plain and principal
; causes OF the present state OF things en-
larges the mischief already done and
increases the responsibility OF the gov
, eminent for its existence. Whatever
, else the people have a right to expect
! from Congress, they may certainly
! demand that legislation condemned by
the ordeal OF three years disastrous
experience shall be removed from tho
statute-books as soon as their represent
tatives can legitimately deal with 1t.
1t was my purpose to summon Con-
gress in special session early III the
coming September that we might enter
promptly upon the work OF tarlft reform
which the true interests OF the country
clearly demand that which so large q
majority OF the people, as shown by their
, suffrages. desire, expect, and to the ae-
complishment OF which every effort OF
present administration is pledged. But
while tariff reform has last nothing OF
its immediate and permanentimportance
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
repeal of the provisions Of the act passed
Z July II, 1890, authorizing the purchase
OF silver bullion. and that other legisla-
tive action may put beyond all doubt or
mistake the intention and the ability OF
the government to fulfill its pecuniary
obligations in money universally recOg-
nized by all civilized countries.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executed Mansion, August 0, 1893,
Bucklen's Arnlcs Salve.