The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-15
GROVER REPLIES TO CHICAGO.
THE PRESIDENT DELICATELY DE-
CLINES THE INVITATION.

Honorable Improves the opportu-
nifty 90 Emphasize the Necessity
for Maintaining n sound Currency.
Chicago April A-Henry Robbins re-
ceivcd from President Cleveland this ev-
ening letter declining the invitation cf
number of business men OF Chicago to at
tend a public reception here to himself
and Mrs. Cleveland. ON April 6 100 OF
the most prominent citizens Of Chicago.
both democrats and republicans. sent an
invitation to the President, stating that
they We're anxious to express their deep
sense Of appreciation OF his statesman
like and courageous action In maintaining
the financial credit Of our nation and his
attitude in favor or the preservation OF
sound national currency. There was
much disappointment at Mr. Cleveland D
refusal TO come here, but his excuse II
Wen received. Mr.. Robbins SAYS thar
while he Is sorry that the President was
unable TO accept the invitation, as the
ovation which would have been given him
would nave given great impetus to the
honest money sentiment throughout tho
west, still he Is glad the invitation WAS
sent as in his reply, Mr.. Cleveland takes
occasion to speak on the topic and he be-
heves his words will have great weight
The following is the text of President
Cleveland's reply to the Chicago commit
Executive Mansion. Washington. ID. C..
April lS.-To Messrs. William r. Baker
George W. Smith, John A. Roche. N w
Harvey. David Kelly and Henry S. Rob
pms, Gentlemen; / am much gratincd by
the exceedingly kind and complimentary
lhtVltatlon you nave rendered me On behalf
to be their guest at a eath-
ering in the interest OF sound money
and wholesome financial doctrines. NV
attachment to this cause Is SO ereat ana
l know so well the hospitality and kind
ness OF the people Of Chicago, that my
personal inclination is strongly In favor
OF accepting your fiattering invitation;
but my judgment and my estimate of the
propuettes OF my official place ohlige me
to forego the enjoyment of participating
in the occasion YOU contemplate / hope,
however, the event viii mark the begin
ming OF an aggressive effort to dissent
nate among the people safe and prudent
financial ideas Nothing more Important
can engage the attention Of patriotic cit-
liens, because nothing is so vital to the
welfare Of our fellow countrymen and TO
the strength, prosperity and honor of our
nation.
The situation we are confronting de-
mands that those who appreciate the Inn
portance Of this subject and those who
ought to be the first to see impending dam
ger should no longer remain Indifferent or
OVerconfldent.
If the sound money sentiment abroad i'm
the land is to save us from mischief and
disaster IL must be crystalized and COM
bined and made Immediately active. It is
dangerous to overlook the fact that a
vast number Of our people with scant Op-
portunity thus far to examine the ques-
tion IN all It's aspects have nevertheless
been ingeniously pressed with spccious
sugges tions. which In this misfortune and
depression find willing listeners prepared
to give credence 70 any scheme which IS
piausibly presented as remedy for their
unfortunate condition. What Is now more
needed than anything else Is q plain and
simple presentation OF the argument in
favor OF sound money. In other words IL
is a time for the American people to reason
together as members or great nation
which can promise them a continuance OF
protection and safety only 50 long as ITS
solvency Is unsupported, its honor unsul-
lied, and the soundness of its money un-
questioned. These things are III exchang-
ed for the illusions of de-
based currency and groundless hope Of
advantages to be gained by a disregard OF
our financial credit and commercial
standing among the nations of the world.
If our people were Isolated from all others
and II the question of our currency could
be treated without regard TO our rela-
tions to others countries, its character
would be a matter OF comparatively little
Importance. If the American people were
only concerned in the maintenance OF
life among themselves they might re-
turn to the old days of barter and In this
primitive manner acquire from each other
the materials to supply the wants of their
ton was satisfied with this It would abb
jectly 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 situation would I'M
prove 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 certainty that II the price of the
things he has to sell is nominally en-
hanced the cost of things he must buy
Will not remain stationary; that the best
prices which cheap money prociains are
unsubstantial and elusive, and even IL
they were real and palpable he must
necessarily be left far behind in the race
tor their enjoyment 1t ought not to be
difficult to convince the wage Garner that
II there We're benefits arising from a de-
generated currency they would reach him
least Of all and last Of all In an mr.
healthy stipulation Of prices increased
cost Of all the needs of his home must be
long his portion, while he Is at the same
tme NeNed with vanishing Visions of In
creased wages and an easier lot. The
pages OF history and experience are fun
OF this lesson. An insidious attempt ie
made to create a prejudice against the
advocates Of safe and sound currency
by the lnsinuation. more or less directly
made, that they belong to flle financial
and business classes and are therefore
not only out Of sympathy with the com
mon people OF the land, but for selfish
and wicked purposes are willing to sac
rlhce the interests of those out side their
circle. / believe that capital and wealth
through combination and other means.
sometimes gain an undue advantage; and
1t must be conceded that the maintenance
OF a sound currency may In a sense be
invested with greater or less
importance to individuals according 10
their condition and circumstances it Is.
however, only a difference in degree,
since 1t Is utterly Impossible that any
one in our broad land, rich or poor. what
ever may be his occupation, and whether
dwelling in a center of france ard COM
merce or in Q remote corner Of our domain.
can be really benefited by a financial
scheme, not alike beneficial to all our
people, or that any one should be exclu-
ded from common and universal inter-
est IN the safe character and sta6ie value
Of the currency Of the country IN our
relation to this question we are an in
business, for we al buy and sell; 30 we
all have to do with financial operations.
for we all earn money and spend IT, We
cannot escape our intcr-deDendence
Merchants and dealers are in every neigh
borhood, and each has IT'S shops and man I
ufactOries. Wherever the wants of man
exist, business and finance in some de-
grees are found related IN one direction
to those whose wants they supply ana
in another to the more ew-
tensiye business and finance 10
which they are tributary "A
fuctuation IN prices at the seaboard Is
known the same day or hour IN the re-
motest hamlet. The discrcdit or depre-
citation in financial centcrs Of any form OF
money IN the hands OF tho people rs %
signal OF immediate loss everywhere III
reckless discomfort and wild experiment
should sweep our currency from lfa safe
support the most defenselees " all who
suffer tn that time ~ dis-