The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-04-15
CLEVELAND ON FINANCE.
The Presidents Letter to Sound
Money Advocates.
DEFENDING THE sINGLEsTANDARD

ar Reckless Discomfort Should Sweep
the Most Defenseless of All Who Suffer
VIII be the Poor"
CHICAGO, April 15.-Following fs the
text of President Cleveland's s reply to the
invitation Of Chicago business men to ad-
dress meeting Lere in the interest of
sound money:
My attachment to this cause Is so great
and L know so well the hospitality and
Kindness of the people of Chicago that my
personal inclination is strongly in favor
OF accepting your flattering invitation, but
my Judgment and my estimate of the pro-
prieties of my official place obliges me to
forego the enjoyment of participating in
the occasion you contemplate.
Il hope, however, the event will mark the
beginning of an earnest and aggressive
effort to disseminate among the people
safe and prudent financial ideas The situ-
alton confronting us demands that those
who appreciate the Importance Of this sub
Ject and those who ought to be first to see
impending danger should no longer remain
indifferent or over confident
III the sound money sentiment abroad
IN the land Is to save us from mischief and
disaster 1t must be crystalized and com
bined and made Immediately active 1t is
dangerous to overlook the fact that vast
!. number of our people, with scant oppor-
tunity thus far, to examine the question
in all 'its aspects, have nevertheless been
ingeniously pressed with specious sugges-
tions which in this time Of misfortune
and willing listeners, prepared to give
credence to any scheme which is plausibly
presented as a remedy for their unfortu-
nate condition.
What is now needed moro than any
thing else Is plain and simple presenta-
tion OF the argument in favor of sound
money. In other words 1t is time for the
American people to reason together as
members of q great nation which can
promise them continuance of protection
and safety only so long as its solvency is
unsuspected, its honor unsullied and the
soundness of Its money unquestioned.
These things are i'll exchanged for the IL
lusions of n debased currency and ground
less hope of advantages to be gained by q
disregard Of our financial credit and COM
merclal standing among the nations of the
world.
'tlf our people woro Isolated from all
others, and II the question of our currency
could be treated without regard to our re-
lations to other countries its character
would be matter of comparatively little
Importance. If the American people were
only concerned in the maintenance of their
physical life among themselves they might
return to tho old days of barter, and in this
primitive manner acquire from each other
the materials to supply Tho wants of their
existence. But If American civilization
was satisfied with this it would abjectly
fail in Its high and noble mission
In these restless days tho farmer Is
tempted by the assurance that, though
our currency may be debased, redundant
and uncertain, such situation will i'm
prove the price of his products Let us
remind him that he he must buy as we'll
as sell; that his dreams OF plenty are
shaded by the certainty that If tho prices
OF the things he has to buy sell arc nomi-
nally enhanced, the cost Of tho things he
must buy will not remain stationary; that
the better prices which cheap money pro.
claims are unsubstantial and elusive. and
that even if they were real and palpable
he must necessarily be left far behind in
the race for their enjoyment.
" 1t ought not bo difficult to convince
the wage Garner that IL there were benefits
arising from degenerated currency they
would reach him least of ALL and last Of
nll, In an unhealthy stimulation of prices
an increased cost of all tho needs of his
home must long be his portion, while he Is
at the same time vexed with vanishing
visions ofincreased wages and an easierl lot.
An insidious attempt is mado to create
a prejudiee against the advocates of n safe
and sound currency by the insinuatIon,
more or less directly made, that they be.
long to financial and business classes, and
are therefore not only out of sympathy
with the common peoplo of the land, but
for selfish purposes are willing to sacrifice
the interest of those outside their circle
"lhelieye that capital and wealth, through
combination and other means. sometimes
gain an undue advantage, and 1t must be
conceded that the maintenance of Il sound
currency may, in n sense be invested with
greater or less Importance to individuals
according to their condition and eirGum-
stances. 1t is however only a difference
in degree, since it is utterly impossible
that any one In our broad land rich or
poor, whatever may be his occupation and
whether dwelling In center of finance
and commerce. or In a remote corner of
our domain can be really benetltted by n
financial scheme, not alike beneficial to all
our people
If reckless discomfort and wild experl-
ment should sweep our currency from its
safe support, the most defenseless of all
who suffer In that time of distress and
national discrcdt will be the poor, as they
reckon the loss in their scanty support,
and the laborer or workingman, us he secs
the money he has reeeiSed for his toll
shrink and shrivel in his hand when he
tenders it for the neeessaries to supply his
humble home.
Disguise it as we may, the line of bat
tie is drawn between the forces Of safe cur
rency and those of silver monometallism.
l will not believe that, if our people are
afforded an Intelligent opportunity for
sober second thought, they will sanction
schemes that mean disaster and confusion.
Yours truly, GROVER CLEVELAND