The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-04-24
CLEVELAND ON CURRENCY
ALETTER TOACLUB OF GENTLEMEN
IN CHICAGO.

IN CHICAGO.
Line of Battle Drawn Between ''Safe Cur
rency', Advocates and Silver Monomet-
allists-The President Comes Out Square
ly for Single Gold Standard.
CHICAGO, April 17.-Mr. Henry
Robbins received from President
Cleveland Sunday evening letter
declining the invitation of a number
of business men of Chicago to attend
public reception here to himself and
Mrs. Cleveland. On April 9Th one
hundred of the most prominent citi-
zens of Chicago, both Democrats and
Republicans, sent an invitation to the
President, stating that they were anX-
ious to express their deep sense of ap-
probation -of his statesmanlike and
courageous action in maintaining the
financial credit of our Nation and his
attitude in faTorof the preservation of
sound National currency. There was
much disappointment at Mr.. Cleve-
lands refusal to come here, but his
excuse is well-receiyed. Mr.. Robbins
says that while he is sorry that the
President was unable to accept the in
vitation as lie ovation which would
have been given him would have Civ
en- great impetus to the honest money
sentiment throughout the West, still
he is glad the invitation was sent, as
in his reply, Mr.. Cleveland takes occa.
sion to speak on the topic and he be-
ieves his, words will have great
weight. The following is the text of
President Cleveland's reply to the
Chicago committee:
MessrS. William Baker. George W.
Smith, John A. Roche, T. w. Har-
vey, David Kelly and Henry S.
Robbins:
Gentlemen: I am much gratifed
by the exceedingly kind and comph-
mentary invitation you have rendered
me on behalf of many citizens of Chi
cago to be their guest at gathering
in the interest of sound money and
wholesome financial doctrine My at
tachment to this cause is so great, and
I know so well the hospitality and
kindness of the people of Chicago, that
my personal inclination is strongly il
favor of accepting your fattering in
vitation, but my Judgment and my es-
innate of the proprieties of my official
place oblige me to forego the, enjoy
ment of the participating in the .occa:
sion you contemplate. hope, how
ever The event will mark the begin
ming of an aggressive effort to dissem-
mate among the people safe and pru-
dent financial ideas. Nothing more
important can engage the attention of
patriotic citizens, because nothing is |
so vital to the welfare of our fellow
countrymen and to the strength, pros
perity and honor, of our nation. The
situation we are confronting demands |
that those who appreciate the import |
ance of this subject and those who |
ought to be the first to see impending |
danger, should no longer remain in
different or over-conident.
IF the sound money. sentiment
abroad in the land is to save us from
mischief and disaster it must be crys-
taiized au&con bined aud made lmme-
seaiiassfy active. It. is dangerous to
overlook the fact that vast number
of our people with scant opportunity
thus far to examine the question IN all
its aspects have nevertheless been In
genuously pressed with specious sug-
.gestions which in.this time of misfor
tune and depression find willing hs-:
teners prepared to give credence to any
scheme which IS plausibly presented
as remedy for their unfortunate con-
dition. What is now more needed
than anythingselse is plain and SIM
pie presentation of the argument IN
favor of sound money. In other
words it is time for the American
people to reason. together as members
of a great nation which can promise
them continuance, of protection and
safety only SO long as its solvency is
unsuspected, It's honor unsallied and
the soundneSs:o its money unqueS-.
toned. These things are Ill exchanged
for the Illusions Of a debased currency
and groundless hope of advantages to
be gained by disregard of onr tinan-
cial credit and commercial standing
among the nations Of the world. If
our people were isolated from all 9TH
ers and if the question of our curren
CIV could be treated without regard to
our relations to other countries its
character would he matter of COM
paratively little Importance.
IF the American people. were only
concerned,in the maintenance of their
precious life among themselves they
might return to the old days of barter
and in this primitive manner acquire
from each other the materials to sup
ply the wants of their existence. But
# American civilization was satisfied
with this It would. abjectly fail in its
high and noble'mission!. In these rest
less days the farmer is tempted by the
assurance that though our currency
may be debased, redundant and uncer-
taia, such a situation would improve
the price Of his prodvcts. Let US re-
mind him that he must buy as we'll as
sell; that his dreams of plenty are
shaded by the. certainty that if the
price OF the things he has to sell is
nominally enhanced, the: cost of things
he must buy viii not remain station
ary; that the best prices which cheap
money proclaias are unsubstantial
and elusive and even if they were real
and palpable, he must necessarily be
left far behind IN the race for their en-
joyment. It, ought not to be difficult
to convince the wage Garner that if
there were benefits arising from de-
generated currency they would reach
him least of all and last of all. In
healthy stimulation of prices an IN
creased cost of all the needs of his |
home must be his portion, while he is
at the same time vexed with vanish
ing visions of increased wages and an
easier lot. The pages of history are
full of this lesson.
AN insidious attempt is made to