The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-04-23

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which is plausibly presented as
remedy for their unfortunate condi
tion. What is now more needed tina,
anything else is q plain and simple
presentation of the argument in fayo,
oil sound money. In other words it 4,
time for the American people tt
reason together as members of o grea,
nation which can promise them a con.
tlnuance OF protection and safety only
so long as its solvency is unsupported,
its honor unsullied and the soundness
OF Its money unquestioned. These
thlngs are ill exchanged for the illus
ions OF debased currency and ground
less hope of advantages to .be gained
by disregard of our financial credit
ana commercial standing among the
nations of the world. If our people
were isolated from all others and If
the question of our currency could
be treated without regard to our rela-
lions to other countries, its character
would be u matter of comparatively
little Importance.
If the American people were only
concerned in the maintenance of their
precious life among themselves thew
might'returnato 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
III American civilization was satisfied
with this 1t would abjectly fall in it's
nigh and noble mission. In these rest.
less days the farmer is tempted by the
assurance that though our currency
may be debased. redundant and un-
certain. such situation would improve
the price of his products. Let us re-
mind him that he must buy, as we'll As
soil 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 things
ne must buy will not remain station
ary; that the best prices which cheap
money proclaims are unsubstantial and
leusive and even If thoy were real and
palpable, he must necessarily be left
lar behind in the race of their enjoy [
ment. 1t ought not to be difficult to |
convince the wage Garner that il there
were benefits arising from degenerat-
ed currency that would reach him |
least of all and last Of all. In a healthy |
summation of prices an increased cost |
OF all the needs of his home must be |
his portion, while he is at the same
time veXed with vanishing visions Of |
increased wages and an easier lot.
The pages of history are full OF this
lesson.
An insidious attempt is made to Gre
ate prejudice against the advocates
OF u safe and sound currency by the in
slnuation, more or less directly made,
that they belong to financial and bust
nessclass and are therefore not only
out of sympathy with the common peo-
pie OF the land, but for selfish and
wicked purposes are willing to sacrifice
the interests Of those outside their
circle. believe that capital and
wealth through combination and other
means, sometimes gain an undue ad-
vantage and it must be conceded that
the maintenance OF a sound currency
may In sense be invested with
greater or less Importance to individu-
ais according to their condition and
1t is, however, only a
difference in degree. since it is utterly
impossible that any one in our broad
land. rich or poor, whatever be his |
occupation. and whether dwelling in a
center OF finance or remote corner
OF our domain, can be really benefited
by financial scheme, not alike bene-
ticial to all our people, or that any one
should he excluded from common
and universal interest in the safe
and stable value Of the cur
ency Of tho country. In our relation to
this question, we are all in business,
for all buy and sell; so we all have to
earn money and spend it. We cannot
escape our independence. Merchants
and dealers are in every neighborhood
and each has its shops and manufac-
tories.
Wherever the wants Of man exist,
business and finance in some degree
are found, related in one direction to
those whose wants they supply and in
another to the extensive business and
finance to which they are tributary.
A luctuation in prices at the seaboard
is known the same hour or day in the
remotest hamlet. The liscredit or de-
form of money in tho hands Of the
people Is a signal OF Immediate loss
everywhere. If reckless, discomfort and
wild experiment should sweep our
currency from its safe support, the
most defenseless of all who would suf-
fer in that time of distress and national
discredit will be the people, as they
reckon the loss in their scanty support,
and the laborer and the workingman,
as he sees the money he has received
for his toll shrink and shrivel in his
hand when he tenders it for the nee
essnries to supply his humble home.
,Rjsgsuise it as we may, the line of bat.
tie is draw !, -hetween the forces Of "a fe
currency ana th0se OF SILVER mOnOmet-
aism. [ will not believe that if our
people are offered an intelligent OPP
portunity for second thought they will
sanction schemes that however cloak
ed, mean disaster and confusion, nor
that they will consent by undermining
the foundation of safe currency, to
endanger the benefcient chalaict er
and purpose OF their government.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVET AND.
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