The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-12-21
Mr.. CieAxland's Opportunity.

Mr.. CieNxland's Opportunity.
From the.MeIico ~ stelligenoer.
Mr.. Cleveland's> plan for financial
relief as outlined in hiss message is to
redeem and retire from cfrsSulation the
500 million legal tender gresspbacks
ND treasury notes. In order tO\ 90
this the president would issue long
time low interest bonds with which the
necessary gold could be purchased of
foreign ceIatries Tor redeeming tie
legal tenders.
The president TAPS great stress on
the fact that the legal, tenders are q
constant menace to the treasury; that
they are used over and over again to
deplete the gold reserve and force the
issue of bonds.
1t Is pointed out that notwithstsnd,
ing the bonded debt has been increased
i62 million dollars in the last year and
half in order to replenish the gold
reserve, that fund today Is where It
was before single bond was issued.
There will be no controversy between
the president aud the people as to the
condition. But the remedy he sug-
gests will anu should meet with the
most positive opposition.
The retiremen. of popular non
interest bearing currency, aggregating
half billion dollars, through the sale
of interest bearing bonds, certainly
should not be consummsted unless
there is absolutely no other means Of
protecting the treasury.
Suppose Mr.. Cleveland, instead OF
keeping the gold reserve at the mercy
Of willy speculators, should SIMPLY saJ
to those parties when they present The
greenbacks and treasury notes fol
redemption:
"Tbese bills are by Law payable ID
coin. The treasury will pay you hall
gold and half silver"
Does any one doubt that the raid OF
the treasury would promptly stoI
under such conditionsp !.
There is no more popular money il
existence than the United States lega
tenders. They 60 the world over fo
100 cents on the dsllar. No intelligen
man doubts the absolute ability ans
determination of the American govern
ment to meet every dollar Of its obliga
tions. We are the richest and mos
resourceful nation IN the world an,
owe less money.
Can't we afford TO say TO the trsasur,
sharks In New York, that you canno
force the government to issue bond
simply to afford you al opportunity Il
speculate at the peoples expensee
| We firmly believe that should Mr.
Cleveland resolutely determine to fol
low the policy of France, redeem th
treasury notes 10 coin according TO III
law under which they were issued,
would not only stop the raids on III
treasury, but 1t would inspire conf
dence in the people and prove bless
ing to the country.
1t is not lack Of confidence, bu
greed for the gain which bond sale
afford that is prompting the raids o
the treasury. Remove the cheess an
the rats will promptly disappear.
| Millions have been made BY speculs
ton in the bond rales already made
Other issues will surely follow SO Ion
as the government holds out temptin
bait to grasping capital.
What an opportunity Mr.. Clevelan
has to arouse American pride and cor
fidence by boldly announcing that III
government of the United States vi
promptly meet every legal demand
but that she has not one dollar {
tribute for one dollar Of tribute fc
enemies OF our public credit.