Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-04-20
CLEVELAND ON FINANCE.
Text OF the Presidents Letter In Reply to
the Chicago Committee-His Argument
In Favor of Sound Money Battle
Line Drawn between Gold" and
"Silver" Men,

Text OF the Presidents Letter In Reply TO
the Chicago Committee-HIs Argument
In Favor of Sound Monoy-Battle
Line Drawn Between Gold" and
"Silver' Men.
CHICAGO, April 1.-THE business men
and citizens Of Chicago who invited
President Cleveland to visit Chicago, are
to be disappointed. The invitation read:
"As business men and citizens OF Chicago.
irrespective OF party affiliations. We respect
fully invite you and Mrs. Cleveland to a public
reception to be rendered to you in this city, to
express our deep sense OF appreciation of your
Statcsmanllke and courageous action in main
tanning the financial credit of our government
and your uncompromsng attitude in favor OF
the preservation OF sound national cur
rency."
Hon. Henry S. Robbins, who is said
TO be the author of the movement and
member of the committee, has re-
ceived the following letter:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON b. c., April 10. 1895
10 Mcssrs Wm y. Baker, George w. Smith John
A. Roche, r. w. Harcty, Darid Ketiy aud
Henry s. Robbins.
"GENTLEMEN-I am much gratifed by the ex-
ceedingly kind and complimentary invitation
you have rendered me on behalf Of many citi-
zens OF Chicago to be their guest at gathering
IN the interest OF sound money and wholesome
kuancia doctrine
MY attachment to this cause Is so great and
l'how so well the hospitality and kindness of
the people Of Chicago that my personal incin
ton Is strongly in favor of accepting your fiat
terlng invitation, but my judgment and my
estimate OF the proprictes OF my official place
oplge me TO forego the enjoyment OF partlci-
patihB In The occasion YOU contemplate.
Il nope however, the event will mark the be-
ginning of an earnest and aggressive effort to
disseminate among the people safe and pru-
ueht financial ideas. Nothing more important
can engage the attention Of patriotic citizens,
because nothing is so vital to the welfare Of our
fellow countrymen and to the strength pros
perlty and honor of OUR nation
"Ihe situation confronting us demands that
'hose VINO appreciate the Importance OF this
SUBJECT and those who ought to be the first to
see impending danger, should no longer remain
indifferent or overconfdcnt.
souND-MoNEY SENTIMENT
III the sound-moncy sentiment abroad in
the iand Is to save us from mischief and dis
aster 1t must be crystalized and com bined and
made Immediately active 1t is dangerous to
people, with scant opportunity thus far to ex-
anime the question in all its aspects, have
nevertheless been ingeniousy pressed with
speclous suggestions, which in time of mis-
fortune and depression find willing listeners
prepared to give credence to any scheme which
Is plauSlDiy presented as IA remedy for their
unfortunate condition. What Is now needed
more than anything else is plain and simple
presentation of the argument in favor of sound
money. In other words, ii is time for the
American people to reason together as mem
bers OF great nation, which can promise
them continuance Of protection aud safety
only so long as its solyency is unsuspected and
honor unsullled and the soundness of its money
unquestloned. These things are ill.changed
for the illusions of debased currency and
groundless hope of advantages to be gained
by disregard Of our financial credit and
commercial standing among the nations OF the
world.
III our people were isolated from all others,
and If the question of our currency could be
treated without regard TO our relations to 9TH
er countries, It's character would be matter
of comparatively little importance II the
American people were only concerned in the
maintenance of their precious life among
themselves they might return to the old days
OF barter and in this primitive manner acquire
from each other the materials to Supply the
wants OF their existence. But if American
civilization is satisfied with this it would al
lectiy fail in its high and noble mission
TEMPTATION OF THE FARMER
I'm these restless days the farmer is tempt
ed by the assurance that, though our currency
may be debased, redundant and uncertain
| such situation will improve the price of his
products. Let us remind him that he must buy
II, "a. "A -,
shaded by the certainty that il the price Of the
things he has to sell is nominally encbanced.
| the cost OF the things he must buy will not re-
main stationary; that the best prices which
cheap money proclaims are uuSubstantial and
elusive, and that even if they we're real and
palpable, he must necessarily be left far be-
hind in the race for their enjoyment 1t ought
not to be dlnicult to convince the wage
Garner that if there were benefits arising from
a degeneratcd currency, they would reach him
least OF all and last OF all In an unhealthy
stimulation of prices an Increased cost OF all
the needs Of his home must be long his por-
ton while he is at the same time veXed with
vanishing visions Of increased wages and an
easier lot The pages of history and expert
encc are full of this lesson.
An insidiOus attempt is made to create
prejudice against the advocates OF safe and
sound currency by the iusinution, more or less
directly made, that they belong to financial
and business classes, and are, therefore. not
only out of sympathy with the common people
of the land, but for selfish and wicked pur-
poses are willing to sacrifice the interests of
those outside their circle.
II believe that capital and wealth, through
combinations and other means, sometimes
gain an undue advantage; and it must be con-
ceded that the maintenance of a sound cur
rency may, III sense, be invested with
greater or less Importance to individuals ac-
cording to their condition and circumstances
1t is, however, only a difference in degree,
since it is utterly impossible that anyone in
our broad land, rich or poor whatever may be
his occupation, whether dwelling in center OF
finance and commerce, or in a remote corner
of our domain, can be really benefited by a
financial scheme not alike beneficial to ali our
people, or that anyone should be excluded
from a common and universal interest In the
safe character and value ., ,ha c,a,rrrucy Of the
country -
..'ALL IN BUSINESS.
t., ~, III relation to this question, we are all
III iuroslnesS for we all buy and sell, so We all
have to do with financial operations, for we all
earn money and spend it. We can not escape
| our ,intcrdepcndence, Merchants ana dealers
| are in every neighborhood. and each has It's
| shops and manufactures. Wherever the wants
| of man exist, business and finance in some de-
gree are found, related in one direction TO
| those whose wants they supply, and 10 another
| to the more extensive business ana nnance 10
which they are tributary. huctuatlon IN
|
| or hour in the remotest hamlet The diScredlt
| or depreciation In financial centers of any form
| of money in the hands of the people Is signal
| of immediate loss everywhere,
"If reckless discomfort aud wild experiment
| should sweep our currency from its safe sup
| mort the most dcienseess of all who suffer in
| that time of distress and national discrcdit
| will be the poor, rs they reckon their loss IN
| their scanty support, and the laborer ana
| worLingman as he sees the money he has re-
| ceived for his toll shrink and shriyel IN his
| hand when he tenders 1t for the nccessarics to
| supply his humble home.
| disguise 1t as we may. the line OF battle Is
| drawn between the forces Of safe currency and
| those OF silver monomctallism. will not be-
leye that II our people are afforded an intelli-
| GENT opportunty for sober second thought they
| will sanction schemes that however cloaked
mean disaster and confusion, nor that they VIII
consent BY undermining the foundation OF q
| safe currency to endanger the bencicent char
acter and purposes of their government.
| Yours very truly,
| "GROvER CLEVELASD."