The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-15
INDUCES His Controlling Pas
sion for Letter Writing.
Warns the People Against
Adopting Wild Experiments.
THELINES ARE DRAWN
Are Between Silver Mono-Metal-
ism and "Safe" Currency.

| following letter on the subject:
| To Messrs. William 7. Baker, George W. Smith,
| John A. Roche. r. W. Harvey, David Kelly
and Henry S. Robbins.
| Executive Mansion Washington, April 13.-
| Gentlemen: I am much gratiied by the ex-
ceedfngly kind and com plimentary invitation
you have rendered behalf OF many citi-
Zens 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 well the hospitality
and kindness of the peop.e of Chicago that
my personal inclination is strongly in favor
! Of accepting your f1attering Invitation; but
my Judgment and estimate of the proprieties
of my official place oblige me TO foreco the
enjoyment of participating in the occasion you
contemplate. hope, however. the event will
mark the beginning of earnest and agrees
| sive effort to disseminate among the people
safe and prudent financial ideas. Nothing
more important can engage the attention of
patriotic citizens, because nothing is vital
to the welfare of our fellov-countrymen and to
the strength, prosperity and honor of our ma
tion.
The situation confronting US demands that
those who appreciate the Importance of this
subject and those who ought to be first to
impending danger should 40 longer remain in
different or overconhdent. If the sound
money sentiment abroad in the land is to
US from mischief and disaster, it must be crys-
ta1lized and combined and made Immediately
active. 1t is dangerous to overlook the fact
that vast number of our people with scant
opportunity thus far to examine the question
in all it's aspects, have nevertheless been in
I genious1y pressed with specious suggestions
which in this time of misfortune and depres-
sion find willing listeners prepared to give
credence to any scheme which is plausibly
presented as a remedy for their unfortunate
condition.
| What is now needed more than anything else
is plain and simple presentation of the argu-
ment in favor of sound money. In other words
it is a time for the American people to reason
together as members Of great nation which
promise them a continuance of protection
and safety only so long it's solvency is
suspected, its honor unsullied and the sound
ness of its 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 the question of our currency could be
treated without regard to our relations to other
countries it's character would be a matter of
! comparatively little Importance. If 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 were satisfied with this it would
abjectly fail in it's 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 will improve the price Of his
!
| buy as we'll 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 re-
main stationary; that the best prices which
| cheap money proclaimS are unSubstantial and
! elusive and that even if they were real and
palpable, he must necessarily be left far be-
! hind in the race for their enjoyment
| 1t ought not to be difficult to convince the
wage-earner that if there were benefits arising
from degenerated currency they would reach
! him least of all and last of all In
! healthy stimulation of prices an increased cost
of all needs of his home must belong to 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 experience
are full of this lesson. An insidious attempt
| is made to create a prejudice against the advo-
Gates of safe and sound currency by the in
situation, 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 purposes 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 sound currency may,
! in a sense be invested with a greater or less
| Importance to individuals according to their
! condition and circumstances. 1t is. how
ever. only difference in degree, since
it is utterly impossible that anyone
/ in broad land rich poor,
whatever may be his occupation, and whether
! dwelling in center of finance and commerce
| or in a remote corner of domain can be
really benefited by financial scheme, not
! alike beneficial to all our people, or that any
! one should be excluded from common and
! universal interest in the safe character and
stable value of the currency of the country.
! In our relation to this question we are all In
! business for all buy and sell; all
have to do with financial operations for all
| earn money and spend it We cannot escape
| our inter-dependence. Merchants and dealers
are in every neighoorhood 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 in another to the
more extensive business and finance to which
| they tributary. huctuation in prices
| at the board is known the same day or
hour in the remotest hamlet. The discredit
| or depreciation in financial centers of any
! form of money in the hands of the people is
! signal of immediate loss everywhere. If recl-
| less discomfort and wild experiments should
| sweep our currency from its safe support, the
most defenseless of all who suffer in the time
of distress and national discredit, would be the
poor as they reckon their loss in their scanty
! support and the laborer and worlxingman as he
sees the money he has received for his toll
! shrink and shrivel in his nand when he tenders
it for the necessarieS to supply his humble
home.
Disguise it as we may, the line of battle is
| drawn between the forces of the safe currency
and those of silver recommendation. will not
! II
| teIligent opportunity for sober second thought
| they will sanction schemes that, however
| cloaked, mean disaster and confusion that
| thew will consent by undermining the founda-
| ton of a safe currency to endanger the benef-
cent character and purposes of their govern
/ rnent Yours very truly
GROVER CLEVELAND
| @S"5=#
The Singer Man ufacturfng Co.,
| At their new quarters 716 Kansas ave-.
are making a magnificent display of