The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-04-19
CURRENCY QUESTION.
President Cleveland's Letter to the
Chicago Committee.
he Says the Line of Battle Is Drawn Be
tween the Forces OF Safe Currency
and That of silver Mono.
metallism.

CHICAGO, April 15.-The citizens who
invited President Cleveland to come
here and address a meeting on the
monetary question have received the
following letter on the subject:
ToMessrs. William T Baker. George W. Smith,
John A. Roche. T. W. Harvey, David Kelly
and Henry 6. Robbins
Executive Mansion, Washington, April 10
Gentlemen: l am much gratitied by the ex-
eeedingly kind and complimentary invitation
you have rendered me on behalf OF many cltl-
gems OF Chicago 10 be their guest at gathering
In the interest OF sound money and wholesome
financial doctrine. Ny attachment to this cause
Is so great. and know so well the hospitality
and kindness OF the people OF Chicago that
nv personal inclination is strongly in favor
Of accepting your iattering invitation; but
nv Judgment and estimate OF the prophecies
Of nv 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 earnest and agrees
sive effort TO disseminate among the people
safe and prudent financial ideas Nothing
more important can engage the attention OF
patriotic citizens, because nothing Is so vital
20 the welfare OF our fellow-countrymen and &c
the strength, prosperity and honor OF our ma
ton.
The situation confronting US demands that
those who appreciate the Importance OF this
subject and those who ought TO be first to see
impending danger should no longer remain in
different or overconfdent. II the sound
money sentiment abroad in the land is 10 save
Us from mischief and disaster, it must be crys-
tallized and combined and made immediately
active. Il is dangerous to overlook the fact
hat vast number OF our people with Scant
opportunity, thus far, to examine the question
In al its aspects. have nevertheless been in
geniouSly pressed with SpecicUS suggestions
which in this time Of misfortune ana oepreS-
sion find willing listeners prepared to give
eredence TO any scheme which is plausihly
presented as a remedy for their unfortunate
condition.
What is now needed more than anything else
is plain and simple presentation of the argu-
nent in favor OF sound money. In other words
II Is a time for the American people 10 reason
together as members OF great nation which
ian promise them continuance Of protection
and safety only so long as its so!vency is IN
suspected, its honor unSullied and the sound
tess OF its money unqueStioned. These things
are i'll exchanged for the illusions OF debaSed
currency and groundleSS hope OF advantages &c
Re gained by a disregard OF our financial
credit and commercial standing among the
rationS 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 70 other
countries its character would be a 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 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 were satisfied with this it would
Ebjectly 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. redundant and uncertain
such a situation will improve the price OF his
products Let us remind him that he musi
buy as well as sell; that his dreams OF plenty
are shaded by the certainty that il the price OF
the things he has TO sell Is nominally enhanced
the cost OF the things he must buy will not re-
main stationary; that the best prices which
cheap money proclaims are unSubstantial anc
elusive and that even if they were real and
palpable, he must necessarily be left far be-
hind in the race for their enjoyment
Il ought not to be difficult TO convince the
wage-earner that II there were benefits arising
from a degenerated currency they would reach
him least Of all and last OF all In an IN
healthy stimulation OF prices an increased cost
Of all needs of his home must belong 10 his por-
ton. while he Is at the same time vexed with
vanishing visions OF increased wages and ar
easier lot The pages OF history and experience
are full Of this lesson. An insidiouS attempt
is made TO create a prejudice against the advo-
Gates of a safe and sound currency by the in
situation, more or less directly made, that
they belong to financial and business classes
and are therefore not only out OF sympathy
with the common people of the land. but foI
selfish and wicked purposes are willing tc
sacrifice the interests OF those outside theiI
circle.
I believe that capital and wealth, through
combination and other means, sometimes gaiI
an undue advantage: and it must be conceded
that the maintenance OF a sound currency may
in a sense. be invested with a greater or less
importance TO individuals according TO theil
condition and circumstances. 1t Is. how.
ever, only difference in degree, siact
Il is utterly impossible that anyone
IN our broad land, rich or poor
whatever may be his occupation, and whether
dwelling in a center Of finance and commerce.
or IN a remote corner Of our domain, can be
really benefited by a financial scheme. not
alike beneficial 10 all our people. or that any
one should be excluded from :. common an
universal interest in the safe character aa6
stable value Of the currency Of the country.
In our relation to this question we are all IL
business for We all buy ana sell: 50 We Al
have TO do with financial operations for we al
earn money and spend it We cannot eScapt|
OUT inter-depe1Geace. Merchants and dealers
are in every neigh Oorhood. and each has il
shops and manufactures. Wherever the wants
o: man exist. business ana finance in some de
gree are found related in one direction 70 taoSt
whose wants they supply and in another to Tho
more extensive business and finance 10 which
ther are Tributary. 4 fiuctuation in price.
at the seaboard Is known the same day OF
hour IN the remOteSt hamlet The discreet
or depreciation in financial celters Of any
form Of mcney in the hands OF the people i
signal o. immediate loss everywhere II reciz-
less discomfort and wild experiments should
sweep our currency from its safe support. tht|
most defenSelesS Of al who suffer in the time
Of distress and national discredit. would he TIT
poor as they reckon their loss in their scauty
support and the l2borer and workiugman - hs
sees the money he has received for his toi
shrink and shrivel in his nand when ne tender.
il for the neeeSSaries 10 supply his humble
home
Disguise il as We may the lire CT battle I:
drawn between the forces OF the safe currency
and those Of silver recommendation l Will nc
believe that if our people are AFFORDED an IL
tellgent opportunity for sober second though
they will sanction schemes that. however
cloaEed, mean disaster ana confusion. nor thai
they viii consent by undermining the foun IA
ton Of d safe currency 10 endanger the benea-
cent character and purposes Of their govern
ment Yours very truly.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
POISONED HER CHILD.