Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-04-17
2
To the I~nritatiOn Of the Chicago Bust
ness Men.

April 13.-To Messrs. VIM. I. Baker, George
W. Smith, John A. Roche, 7. w. Harvey,
David Kelly and Henry G. Robbins. Gen
tlemen l am much g~ratifed by the exceed
ingly kind and complimentary invitation
YOU have rendered me on behalf of many
citizens Of Chicago to be their guest at q
gathering in the interest of sound money
and wholesome financial doctrine.
"My attachment to this cause is so great
and 1 know so we'll the hospitality and kind
ness Of the people of Chicago that my per-
sonal inclination is strongly in favor of ac'
cepting your fattering invitation, but my
Judgment and my estimate of the prOprieties
Of my official place oblige me to forego the
enjoyment of participating in the occasion
l contemplate.
Il hope, however, the event will mark the
beginning of an earnest and aggressive eff
fort to disseminate among the people safe
and prudent financial ideas. Nothing more
important can engage the attention of pa
triotic citizens, because nothing is so vital to
the welfare Of our fellow ountrymen and
to the strength, prosperity aud honor of our
nation.
The situation confronting us demands
that those who appreciate the Importance of
this subject, and those who ought to be the
first to see the impending danger, should no
longer remain Indifferent or over confident.
"If the s~ound-mOuey sentiment abroad in
the land is to save US from mischief and dis
aster it must be crystallized and combined
and made Immediately active. It's danger
Gus to overlook the fact that a vast number
Of our people, with scant opportunity thus
far to examine the question in all its aspects,
have nevertheless been iugeniously pressed
with specious suggestions which in this time
Of misfortune and depression find willing
listeners prepared to give credeace to any
scheme which is plausibly presented as a
remedy for their unfortunate 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 American
people to reason together AS members of q
great nation which can promise them a con-
t%inuauce of protection and safety only so
long as its solvency is unsupported, its honor
unsullied and the soundness of its money
unquestioned. These things are ill., exchang-
ed for the illusions of a debased currency
and ~groundless hope of advantages to be
gained by 81 disregard Of our financial cred
it and commercial standing among the ma
tions Of the world.
"If our people were isolated from all 9th
ers and if the question of our currency could
be treated without regard to our relations to
other countries, its character would be n
matter of comparatively little importance.
Ifthe American people were only concerned
in the maintenance Of their physical life
among themselves they might return to the
old days Of barter, aud in this primitive
manner acquire from each other the mate
rials to supply the wants Of their existence.
But it American civilization were satisfied
with this, it would abjectly fail in its high
and noble mission.
"Iu 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 as sell that his
dreams Of plenty are shaded by the certain
ty that il the price of the things he has to
sell are uominally enhanced, the cost of the
thinge he must buy will not remain station
airy that the better prices which cheap
money proclaims are unsubstantial and elu-
siye, and that even if they were real and pal
pable, he must necessarily be left far behind
in the race for their enjoyment.
"It ought not to be difficult to convince
the wage-earner that if there were benefits
arising from a degenerated currency they
would reach him least Of all and last Of all.
In an unhealthy stimulation of prices an in
creased cost Of all tho needs of bis home
must long be his portion, while he is at the
same time yexed with vanishing visions of
increased WAGES aud easier lot. The pages
of history and experience are full of this
lesson.
"An insidious attempt is made to create q
prejudice against the advocates Of a safe and
sound currency by the insinuation, more or
less directly made, that they belong to finan-
cial and business classes and are, therefore,
not only out OF sympathy with the common
people Of the land, but for selfish and wick
ed purposes are willing to sacrafce the in
terest Of those outside their circle.
81 believe hat capital and wealth,
through combination and other means some
times gain an undue advantage; and it may
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 their condition and circum-
stances. 1t is however, only a difference in
degree, since it is utterly impossible that
any one in our broad land, rich or poor.
whatever may be his occupation and wheth-
er dwelling in a entre Of finance and COM
merce OF in a remote corner of our domain.
can be really benefited by a financial
scheme not alike beneficial to all our peo-