The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-04-25
CLEVELAND ON SILVER.

SEI ILniND Wv SiLN LIN
In response to an invitation from
citizens Of Chicago President Cleve-
land wrote:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
d. O., April 10, 1s95.-To Messrs.
VIM. T. Baker, G. w. Smith, John
A. Roche, T. W. Harvey, David
Kelly and II. 8. Robins: Gentlemen: :
Il am much gratifled by the exceed
ingly kind and complimentary invi-
tation you have rendered mo on be-
half Of many citizens of Chicago to
be their guest at a gathering in the
interest Of sound money and whole
some financial doctrine.
My attachment to this cause is SO
great and know SO well the bospit-
ality and kindness Of the people of
Chicago, that my personal inclination
Is strongly in favor OF accepting your
fattering invitation; but my judg-
ment and my estimate of the propri-
eties Of my official place oblige me to
forego the enjoyment of participat-
ing in the occasion you contemplate.
I hope, however, the event will
mark the beginning OF an earnest and
aggressive effort to disseminate
among the people safe and prudent
financial ideas. Nothing more i'm
portant can engage the attention of
patriotic citizens, because nothing is
so vital to the welfare of our fellow
countrymen and to the strength,
prosperity and honor Of our nation.
The situation confronting us is a
demand that those who appreciate
the Importance of this subject and
t'iose who ought to be the first to see
impending danger should no longer
remain Indifferent or overconfdent.
If the sound money sentiment
abroad in the land is to save us from
mischief and disaster it may be crys-
tallized and made Immediately active.
1t is dangerous to overlook the fact
that large number of our people
with scant opportunity, thus far, to
examine the question in all its as
poets, have nevertheless been ingen-
iously pressed with specious sugges-
tions, which in this time of misfor-
tune and depression find willing
listeners, prepared to give credence
to any scheme which is plausibly pre-
sented as a remedy for their unfor-
tunate condition. What is now
needed more 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
the American people to reason to-
gether as members of great nation
which can promise them a continu-
ance OF protection and safety only 80
long as it's solvency is unsupported
and honor unsullied and the sound
ness OF its money unquestioned.
These things are Ill changed for the
illusions of debased currency and
and a groundless hope of advantages
by discharge Of our financial credit
and commercial standing among the
nations of the world.
II our people were isolated from
all others and if the question Of our
currency could be treated without
regard to our relations to other coun-
tries, its character would be matter
OF comparatively little Importance.
II the American people were only
concerned In the maintenance of
their precious life among themselves
they might return to old days of bar
ter and In this primitive manner ac-
quire from each other the materials
to supply the wants of their exist
ence. But IL American civilization
were satisfied with this it would alb
jectly fall in its high and noble mis-
sion.
In these restless days the farmer
is tempted by the assurance that
though our currency may be
debased, redundant and uncertain,
such a situation will improve the
price of his products. Let us remind
him that he must buy as well az sell !;
that his dreams OF plenty are shaded
by the certainty that II the price OF
the things he has to sell is nominally
enhanced, the cost OF the things he
must buy will not remain stationary ;
that the best prices which cheap
money proclaims are unsubstantial
and elusive and that even II they
were real and palpable, he must
necessarily be left far behind In the
race for their enjoyment.
It ought not 10 be difficult to con-
vince the wage Garner that II there
were benefits arising from a degen-
Grated currency they would reach
him least Of all and last Of all. In
an unhealthy 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 vexed
with vanishing visions of increased
( wages and an easier lot. The pages
of history and experience are full o.
this lesson.
An insldious attempt ia made tt
create . prejudice against the advo'
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