The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-05
SILVER BAD FOR THE SOUTH.
President Cleveland Writes a Letter
to Gov. stone.


Jackson, Miss, May 4.-Gov. Stone last
evening made public the following letter
by President Cleveland, dated April 26.
Hon. J. NJ. Stone, Governor: My Dear
Sir: Your letter of the 21st instant is at
hand. 1 do not feel inclined to find fault
with your criticism, but think the mat
ters you refer to should be judged in the
light of the circumstances existing at the
time the things were DONE I never had
an idea of building up or fostering a per-
sonal following, but so far as politics
should properly influence in making ap-
pointments, I have tried to be demo-
cratic and not proscriptive. 1 am glad
you are frank enough to admit your par
ticipation in bringing about a condition
in oficeholding which would not be all
that could now be desired. Whether those
appointed to places shall in speech and
action behave decently toward the ad-
ministration under which they hold office
must remain to a large extent, a matter
of taste and good breeding. There are,
however, some officials who devote them
selves SO industriously to viliication and
abuse of those under whom they hold
office as to indicate that their fidelity
cannot be trusted for the performance
OF their duties in a manner creditabie
TO the administration, and who appar-
emily assume that they may spend the
time they owe the public service in do
ing political mischief. In the interest
of good government such oficeholders
must not be surprised if they are sum-
marlly dealt with
When L received your letter I had
1uSt nnlshed reading a letter of yours in
Missssigg0p Mhlen you explain to the citizens Of
question. 1t seems to me you have in
mat letter contributed in the best poSsi-
PIE style and in most valuable way to
lhe Iund of argument in favor of sound
money. L have never ceased to wonder
MMhy the people of the south, furnish
ing so largely as they do products which
are exported for gold, should be willing
70 submit to the disadvantages and loss
OF silver monometallism and to content
themselves with a deprecated and fiucc-
uating currency, while permitting Others
70 reap the profit from the transmutation
or oiIe the prices of their productions from
SixeI iX 10 gold. l hope this letter of yours
VII oe given the widest possible circu-
idIIOh, especially among our southern
i4W rei4VW cltlzens, and that they will be per-
iiI,lIIe4 ~ 4 70 see the pitfall which is direct
- : oeiore those who madly rush toward
me phantom light of free, unlimited ana
independent silver coinage.
II We, who profess feaIty to the Demo-
CTaUc party, are sincere in our devotion
70 its principles, and if we are right in
DeHevlnS that the ascendency of those
t Pntttclples Is a guarantee of personal lib
erty, universal care for the rights of ali
IIoH-Secllonal, American brotherhood and
manly trust in American citizenship in
any part of our land, we should study the
eHects Upon our party, and consequently
upon our country, of the cOmmittal Of the
h3uonal democracy to silver arbitration
, II there are democrats who suppose
mat our party can stand on a platform
emoodying such a doctrine, either through
lts affirmative strength or through the
perpleXity of our opponents on the same
proposition, or If there are democrats who
are willing to turn their backs upon their
party in In t1.a h9g~,
and unlimited and independent coinage of
silver can win a victory without the aid
OF either party organization, they should
deceive themselves no longer, nor longer
Fetuse to look in The face the results that
VIII follow. The defeat is not disintegra-
tlon of the Democratic party upon an
Issue which tempts them from their ale
glance. If we should ,be forced away from
our traditional doctrine of sound and safe
money cur old antagonist viii take the
Held on the platform which we abandon;
and neither the votes Of reckless demo-