The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-15
He Sees Great Peril to the Nation I'm
mine Our Safe Currency System.
LINE OF BATTLE rs DRAWN
AND 1T IS TIME, HE SAYS, FOR ALL
THINKING MEN TO ACT.
Letter to Chicago Business Men, Scor-
ing Silver MOnometa1lists and
Advocating Sound Money.

anu c1tlZeIS Ol SiilCdBO WuO 2utiloQ 1T0Si-
dent Cleveland to visit Chicago are to be
disappointed. The invitation read:
LAS business men and citizens of Chica-
go, irrespective of party Affiliations we re-
spectfully 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 statemanlike and cour-
ageous action in maintaining the financial
credit of our government and your uncom-
promising attitude in favor of the preserva-
ton of sound national currency
This evening the Hon. Henry S. Rob-
bins, who is said to be the author of the
movement and member Of the committee,
received the following letter from the presi-
dent:
"Gentlemen-I am much gratified by the
exceedingly kind and complimentary invi-
tation you have rendered me on behalf of
many citizens of Chicago to be their guest
at gathering in the interest of sound
money and wholesome financial doctrine.
My attachment to this cause is so great
and I know so well the hospitality and
kindness of the people of Chicago that my
personal inclination is strongly in favor
of accepting your 1attering invitation; but
my judgment and my estimate of the pro-
prieties of my official place oblige me to
forego the enjoyment Of participation in
the occasion you contemplate. 1 hope,
however, the event will mark the begin
ming of an earnest and aggressive effort
to disseminate among the people safe and
prudent financial ideas. Nothing more inn
portant engage the attention of patri-
otic citizens, because nothing is so vital to
the welfare of our fellow-countrymen and
the strength, prosperity and 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 impending danger should
no longer remain Indifferent or overcon-
fident. If the sound money sentiment
abroad in the land is to save us from mis-
chief and disaster it must be crystallized
and combined and made Immediately ac-
tive. 1t is dangerous 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 never
theless, been ingeniously pressed with spe-
cious suggestions wlrtk in this time of
misfortune and depression find willing lis
teners. prepared to give. credence to any
scheme which is plausibly presented as
remedy for their unfortunate condition.
NEED OF THE HOUR.
What is now needed more than anything
else is plain and simple presentation of
the argument in favor of sound money. Tn
other words, it is time for the American
people to reason together as members of
great Nation which can promise them a
continuance of protection and safety only so
long as its solvency is unsuspected, its hon.
unsullied and the soundness of it's money
unquestioned These things are ill-ex-
changed for the illusions of debased cur
rency and groundless hope of advantages
-, he hr ri of frop
cial credit and commercial standing among
the nations 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 matter of comparatively little
Importance If the American people were
only concerned in the maintenance of their
physical 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 were
satisfied with this it would abjectly fail
in it's high and noble mission
I'm these restless days the farmer is
tempted 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 as well as sell; that
his dreams of plenty are shaded by the
certainty that If the price of the things
he has to sell is nominally enhanced the
cost of the things he must buy will not
remain stationary; that the better prices
which cheap money proclaims are unsub-
stantal and elusive, and that even if they
were real and palpable he must necessarily
be left far behind in the race for their en-
joyment.
.It ought not to be difficult to convince
the wage Garner that If there were bene-
fits arising from a degenerated 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 long be his portion while
he is at the same time vexed with vanish
ing visions of increased wages and an
easier lot. The pages of history and ex-
perience are full of this lesson.
THE "GOLD-BUG" CRY
can nsidious attempt is made to create
prejudice against the advocates of a
safe and sound currency by the insinua-
ton, more or less directly made, that they
belong to financial and business classes
and are, therefore, not only out of SYM
pathy with the common peple OF the land.
but for selfish and wicked purposes,
are willing to sacrifice the interests OF
those outside their circle. I believe that
capital and wealth, through combination and
other means, sometimes gain an undue
advantage and It must 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 circumstances. It IS.
however, only q difference In degree, since
it is utterly Impossible that any one in
our broad land, rich or poor. whatever
may be his occupation. and whether dwell
ing in center of finance and commerce.
or in remote corner Of our domain. can
be really benefited by financial scheme,
not alike beneficial to all our people, or
that any ono should be excluded from a
common and universal interest In the safe
character and stable value OF the currency
of tha country.
I'm our relation to this question we are
all in brSinesz for We all buy and sell.