The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-21
PATRIOTISM Is INADEQUATE.
hot a Sufficient Substitute Tor q Sound
Financial Policy.
In URGENT MESSAGE 70 CONGRESS
Emphasiring the Necessity of Prompt
Legislative Action Ia View of the De-
piction OF the Gold Eeservc-Need
of Better system of Finance.


WASHINGTON. Dec 20.-The Presi-
dent. az 4.2o T.. ~. sent the following
important message TO Congress on the
financial situation.
s"ro the Congress.
In my last annual message the evils
of our present financial system were
plainly pointed out. and the causes and
means Of the depletion Of government
gold were explained. II was therein stat
cd that after all the efforts that had
been made by the executive branch OF the
Government 20 protect our gold reserve
by tho Issuance of bonds amounting 10
more tnan $4,000. 200, such reserve then
aiaounted TO but little more than $40
OO0m. that about Si6.Oo0,O0O had been
Withdrawn from such reserve during the
month next previous TO the date of that
message. and that quite large Withdraw
ais for shipment IN the immediate fu-
turc were predicted.
PRESENT CONDITIONS.
'erho contingency then feared has
reached us. and the Withdrawals OF gold
since tho communication referred TO, ana
Others that appear Inevitable, threaten
such "a depletion in our government gold
reserve. as brings as face TO face with
the necessity OF further action TOR IT'S
protection This condition is intensified
by the prevalence i'm certain quarters OF
sudden and unusual apprehension and
timidity In business circles.
ave are IN the midst of another season
81 perplcXity caused by our dangerous
and fatuous financial operations. These
.H|f fN4N HH
as long as there Us 40 amendment ia
our financial system. III in this parti-
Cular instance our prcdicameni is at an
influenced hy "a recent insistcnco upon
tho position We should occupy I'm our
relation 20 certain questions concerning
our foreign policy. this furnishes sig
nal aud Impressive warning that even the
patriotic sentiment Of our people is not
an adequate substitute for sound imam
cial policy.
"Of course. there can Doe no doubt IN
ANY thoughtful mind as % the complete
solvcncy OF our nation. nor can there
he any just apprehension tnat the
American people viii Doe satisfied with
less than an honest payment of our pub
lic obligations in tho recognized money
az the world. We should not overlook
the fact. however. that aroused fear is
uurcasouinE. and must be- taken INTO ac-
count in an efforts so avert public loss
and the sacrifice OF our peoples inter-
est
"1ho real and insensiblc fear of our
recurring troubles can only he effected
hy a complete change in our financial
scheme.
THE PEOPLES PATRIOTISM.
while pending the executive branch
oi the Government will not relax Its
efforts. nor abandon every means TO
dit nor viii there be ans hesitation in
exhibiting its confidence in the resources
a. our country and the constant patriot
i-Df of our people.
"lu view. however OF the peculiar sit-
uarun now confronting us. i have ven
tuifd f0 herein express the earnest hope
that the Congress. in default Of the in
agruration OF a better system of finance.
VIII not take a recess from its lab0rs
before II has. by legislative enactment.
on declaration done something not only
20 remind those apprencnsiNc among our
people that the resources or our Govern
ment and scrupul0us regard for hon
est dealing afford sure guarantee OF
un0uostlonod safety and soundncss. hut
To rcassgro the world that with these
factors and the patriotism of our Citi-
zens the ability and determination of our
nation 10 meet in any circumstances
every obligation 10 incurs do not admit
OF question.
"i ask at thc hands of The Congress
such prompt aid as 10 alone has the
power to giyc. 80 prevent i'm "a time o.
Tear and apprehension. any sacrifice OF
the people. interests. and public funds.
or tne impairment OF our public credit
in an effort by executive action TO re-
he,c The dangers of the present cmer-
rrncy
sirncD GROVER CLEVELAND"
"ENccutiye Mansion. December 20. 1885,"