The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-04-25
SOUND CURRENCY.
THE PRESIDENT WRITES A
LETTER,

LETTER,
In Which He Talks About q Sound
Financial Policy-His Reply to the
Invitation to Address the Chicago
Business Men-Fight Between Safe
Currency and Silver rMonometallism.
CHICAGO, April 14.-Mr. Henry
Robbins received from President
Cleveland this evening letter de-
| clining the invitation of number of
business men Of Chicago to attend a
public reception here to himself and
Mrs. Cleveland.
On April 9th one hundred of the
most prominent citizens Of Chicago,
both Democrats and Republicans,
sent an invitation to the President
stating that they were anxious to ex-
press their deep sense of appreciation
of his statesmanlike and courageous
action in maintaining the financial
credit of our nation, and his attitude
in favor of the preservation of sound
national currency. There was much
disappointment at Mr.. Cleveland's re-
fusal to come here, but his excuse is
we'll received. Mr.. Robbins says
that while he is sorry that the Presi-
dent was unable to accept the invi-
tation, as the ovation which would
have been given him would have given
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 occasion
to speak on the topic, and he believes
his words will have great weight.
PRESIDENT CLEvELAND's LETTER.
The following is the text of Presi-
dent Cleveland's reply to the Chicago
committee:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, April, l3, 1895.
TO Messrs. w. T. Baker, Geo. w.
Smith, John A. Roche, T. w. Har-
vey, David Kelly and Henry S. Rob-
bins.
Gentlemen:-I~ am much gratiied
by the exceedingly kind and compli-
men tary 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 attachment to this cause is so
great and know so we'll the hospital
ity and kindness of the people of Chi
cago, that my personal inclination is
strongly in favor of accepting your fiat
tering invitation; but my judgment
and my estimation of the proprieties of
my official place oblige me to forego
the enjoyment Of participating in the
occasion you contemplate.
] hope, however the event will mark
the beginning of an aggressive effort
to disseminate among the people safe
and prudent financial ideas. Nothing
more important can engage the atten-
ton of patriotic citizens, because moth
ing is so vital to the welfare of our fel-
low countrymen, and to the strength,
prosperity and honor of our nation.
The situation that we are confront
ing demands that those who appreciate
the importance of this subject and
those who ought to be the first to see
impending danger should no longer
remain Indifferent or over confident.
If the sound money sentiment abroad
in the land is to save US from mis-
chief and disaster it must be crystal
lied and combined and made immedi-
ately active. 1t is dangerous to over
look the fact that vast number of our
people, with scant opportunity thus
far to examine the question in all its
aspects have nevertheless been inge-
niously pressed with specious sug-
gestions, which, in this time OF mis-
fortune and depression, find willing
listeners prepared to give credence to
to any scheme, which is plausibly pre-
sented as remedy for their unfortu-
nate condition.
THE NEED OF THE HOUR.
What is now more needed than
anything else is a plain and simple
presentation of the argument in favor
of sound money. In other words it is
time for the American people to rea-
son together as members Of great
nation, which can promise them a
| continuance of protection and safety
only so long as its solvency is unsus-
pected, it's honor unsullied and the
soundness of its money unguestioned.
These things are in exchange for the
illusions Of a debased currency and
groundless hope of advantages to be
gained by disregard Of our financial
credit and commercial standing among
the nations Of the world.
1t our people were isolated from all
others, and if the question of our cur
rency could be treated without regard
| to our relations to other countries. its
character would be a 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 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 restless days the farmer is
tempted by the assurance that though
our currency may be debased, redun-
dant and uncertain, such a situation
would improve the price of his products.
Let US remind 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 most of the
things he must buy will not remain
stationary; that the best prices which
cheap money proclaims are unsubstan-
tial aud elusive and even if they were
real and palpable, he must necessarily
bs left far behind in the race for their
enjoyment. 1t ought not to be difficult
there We're benefits arising from a