The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-04-17


of great nation, which can promise them
a continuance OF protection and safety
only so long as its solvency Is unsus-
nected. its honor unsuilied and the sound
ness Of its money unquestioned. These
things are Ill exchanged for the illusions
of debased currency and the ground!ess
hope of advantages to be gained by dis
regard OF our financial credit and COM
mercial standing among the nations OF
the world. :,
IF our people were isolated from all
Others, and If the question of our currency
could be treated without regard to our
relations to other countries, its character
would be matter of comparatively little
importance. If the, American people
were only concerned in the maintenance
of their precious coin among themselves
thew might return to the old days OF
barter and in this primitive manner &C
auire from each other the materials to
supply the wants of their existence. But
if American civilization was satisfied
with this, it would abjectly fail in its
high and noble mission. In these reat-
less days the farmer is tempted by the
assurance that though our currency may
be debased, redundant and uncertain,
such an uncertainty, such situation,
would improve the price Of his products.
Let us remind him that he must buy as
well as sell; that his dreams Of plenty
are shaded BY the certainty that If the
price of the things he han to sell is nomi-
nally enhanced the cost of things he must
buy will not remain stationary; that the
best prices which cheap money proclaims
are unsubstantial and elusive, and even
If they were real and palpable he would
necessarily be left far behind In the race
for their enjoyment. 1t ought not to be
difficult to convince the wage Garner that
il there were benefits arising from de-
generated currency they would reach
him least Of all and last Of all. In an un.
healthy stimulation of prices an increased
cost of all the needs of his home must
be long his portion, while he Is at the
same time yexed with vanishing visions
of increased wages and an easier lot. The
pages of history and experience are full
of this lesson.
An insidious attempt is made to create
prejudice against the advocates Of q safe
and sound currency by the insinuation,
more or less directly made, that they
belong to financial and business classes
and are therefore not only out of sympa-
thy with the common people of the land,
but for selfish and wicked purposes are
willing to sacrifice the interests of those
outside their circle. believe that capi-
tai and wealth, through com binetion and
other means, sometimes gain dn undue
advantage, and 1t must be conceded that
the maintenance of sound currency may
III q sense be invested with greater or
less Importance to individuals according
to their condition and circumstances. 1t
is, however, only difference in degree,
since it is utterly impossible that anyone
in our broad land, rich or poor, whatever
may be his occupation and whether
dwelling in centre Of finance and. COM
merce or in remote corner Of our
domain, can be really benefited by q
financial scheme not alike beneficial to all
our people, or that anyone should be ex-
cluded from common and universal
interest in the safe character and stable
value of the currency OF the country. In
business, for we all buy and sell; 80 we
all have to do with financial operations,
for we all earn money and spend it. We
cannot escape our interdependence. Mer.
chants and dealers are in every neighbor-
hood and each has its shops and manu-
factories. Wherever the wants of man
exist business and finance in some degree
are found, related in one direction to
those whose wants they supply and in
another to the more extensive business
and finance to which they are tributary.
a fuctuation in prices at the seaboard is
known the same day or hour in the re-
motest hamlet. The discredit or depre-
citation in financial centres Of any form OF
money in the hands of the people is
signal OF immediate loss everywhere. IT
reckless discomfort and wild experiment
should sweep our currency from its safe
support the most defenceIess of all who
suffer in that time of distress and national
discredit will be the people, as they
reckon the loss in heir scanty support,
and the laborer and workingman, az he
sees the money he has received for his
toll shrink and shrivel in his hand when
he tenders it for the necessaries to supply
his humble home. Disguise it as we may
the line of battle Is drawn between the
forces of currency and those of silver
mono-metallism. 7 will not believe that
if our people are afforded an intelligent
opportunity for sober second thought
they will sanction schemes that, however
cloaked, mean disaster and confusion,
nor that they will consent, by undertak-
ing the foundation Of safe currency, to
endanger the benefcient character and
purposes of their Government. Yours
very truly. GROVER CLEVELAND.