Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-15
The Sound Money Sentiment of
 This Country.
ITS TIME FOR ACTION,
Or the Flood of Heresy Will Sweep Us
 Away.
THE WORKING MAN MUST AWAKE.
We Are Bound Together by the Strands of Interdependence-T of Cleveland's Letter on the Financial Situation
 Which We Must Face or Fall.

Which We Must Face or Fall.
 Chicago, April 14.-Mr. Henry Robbins received from President Cleveland this evening a letter declining the invitation tion of a. number of business men of Chi-- cago to attend 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 were anx- ious to express their deep sense of ap- preaiation of his statesmanlike and courageous action in maintaining the fi- nancial policy. of our nation and his atti. tude in favor of the preservation of sound national currency. There was much disappointment at MT. Clevelands S refusal to come here, but his excuse is well received.
 MT. Robbins says that while he is sorry that the president was unable to accept the invitation, as the ovation which he would have received would have given great impetus to the honest money senti- ment throughout the west, still he IS glad the invitation was sent, as, in his reply MT. Cleveland takes occasion to speak on the topic, and he believes his words will have great weight.
 The following Is the text of President Cleveland's reply to the chairman of the committee:
 Executive Mansion, Washington,
 April, 13, 1S95.-To Messrs. William T.
 Baker, George w. Smith, John A.
 Roche, T. w. Harvey, David Kelly and Henry s. Robbins
 "Gentlemen: I am much gratified by the exceedingly kind and complimentary invitation you have rendered me on be- half 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 know so well the hospitality and kindness of the people of Chicago, that my present inclination Is strongly for accepting your fiattering invitation, but my judgement and my estimate of the proprieties of my official place obli- gate me to forego the enjoyment of par ticipatin& in the occasion you contem- plate.
 q hope however, the event will mark the beginning of an aggressive effort to Q disseminate among the people safe and prudent financial ideas Nothing more important can engage the attention of patriotic citizens, because nothing is so vital to the welfare of our fellow coun- trymen, 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 danger, should no longer remain indiffer- ent or over-confident.
 If the sound money sentiment abroad in the land vii save us from mischief and disaster it must be crystalized and con- bined and D fde active. It 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 nevertheless been in- geniously impressed with spacious sug- gestions which in this time of misfortune and dissention, found willing listeners, willing to give credence to any scheme which is plausibly presented as remedy for their unfortunate condition.
 "What is now more needed than any, thing else is plain and simple presenta- tion of the argument In favor of sound money. In other words, 1t is time for the American people to return together as members of great nation, which can promise them continuance Of protection and safety only so long as its solvency is unsuspected, it's honor unsulled and the soundness of it's money unquestioned. These things are ill-exchanged 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.
 "If our people were isolated from all others and If questions Of our currency could be treated without regard to our re- 1ations to other countries its character would be a matter of comparatively little importance. If the American people were concerned in the maintenance of their precious life among themselves, they might return to the old days of bar ter and in this primitive manner &C., quire from each other the materials to supply the wants of their existence; but If American civilization was satisfied with this, it would abJectly fail in It's high and noble mission
 'Tn these restless days the farmer is tempted by the assurance that though our currency may be debased, redundant and uncertain, such a situation would improve the price of his products. Let hs 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 things he has to sell Is nomi- nally enhanced the cost of things he must buy would not remain stationary; that the best prices which cheap money proclaims are unsubstantial and elusive, and even if they were real and palpable he must necessarily be left far behind the race for their enjoyment
 Tt ought not to be difficult to con- vince the wage earner that if there were benefits arising from a degenerated cur