Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-04-15
CLEvELAND'S KEYNOTE
OF the Campaign About to BE Waged
Against Free Silver.
Explicitly States His Position
In the Matter.
Advocates Plain and Simple Presc ntations Of
Sound Money Argument


most prominent citizens Of Chicago, both
Democrats and Republicans on April
sent an invitation to the president TO ut.
tend public reception here to himself
and Mrs. Cleveland, stating that they
were anxious to express their deep appre-
citation of his statesmanlike and coura-
geous action in maintaining the financial
credit of the nation and his attitude in
favor of the preservation of sound national
currency. President Cleveland yesterday
Dent the following reply:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WAsHINGToN, April 10.
GENTLEMEN-I am much gratified by the ex-
Deedingly kind and complimentary invitation
you have rendered me, on behalf of many
ritizens of Chicago, to be their guest at the
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 personal inclina
ton is strongly in favor of accepting your
fattering invitation; but my Judgment and
my estimation OF the proprieties of my official
place obliges me to forego the enjoyment of
participating in the occasion you contemplate.
hope, however, the event will mark the be-
ginning of an earnest and aggressive effort to
disseminate among the people safe and pru-
dent financial ideas. Nothing more important
cslil tnkdge tnc dtttnllOn Oh
because nothing is vital to the welfare of
our country, and to the strength, prosperity
and
Honor Of Our Nation.
The situation confronting us demands that
those who appreciate the Importance OF th,
subject and those who ought be the first to
see impending danger should no longer
main Indifferent or overconident
If the sound money sentiment abroad in the
land is to save us from mischief and disaster,
it must be crystallized and combined and made
Immediately active. IL is dangerous to over.
look the fact that vast number Of our people
with scant opportunities thus far TO examine
the question in all its aspects have neverthe-
less been ingeniously pressed with specious
suggestions, which in this time of misfortune
and depression find willing listeners prepared
70 give credence to any scheme which is plaus'
IDLY presented as a remedy for their unfortu-
nate 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 Members Of a Great Nation,
which can promise them continuance of pro-
lection and safety only SO long as its solvency
Is unsupported, its honor unsullied and the
soundness Of its money unquestioned These
things ill-exchangel for the illusions of a
debased currency and groundless hope OF ad-
vantages to be gained by disregard Of our
financial credit and commercial standing
among the nations Of the world
II our people were isolated from all others,
and IL the question Of our currency could be
treated without regard to our relations to
other countries, its character would be mat
ter 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
NJ ha anf in, <txra
Quire from each other the materials to supply
the wants of their existence. But IL American
civilization was satisfied with this it would
abjectly
Fall In It's High and Noble Mission
In these restless days the farmer is tempted
by the assurance that if our currency may be
debased, redundant and uncertain, such situa-
tion 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 are nominally enhanced, the cost of
things he must buy will not remain station
ary; that the better prices which cheap money
proclaims are unsubstantial and elusive aud
that even IL they were real and palpable he
must necessarily be left far behind in the race
for their enjoyment.
1t ought not De difficult to convince the wage
Garner that if there were benefits arising from
a degenerated currency, they would reach
him least Of all and last of all. In an un-
healthy stimulation of prices, an increased
cost of all the needs Of his bone must long be
his portion, while he Ia at the same time vexed
with vanishing visions OF increased wages and
an easier lot. The pages Of history and ex
periences
Are Full Of This Lesson.
An insidious attempt is made to create a
prejudice against the advocates OF a safe and
sound currency by the insinuation, more or
1paa Tn fipa
cial and business classes, and are, therefore,
not only out of sympathy with the common
people Of the land, but for selfish and wicked
purposes are willing to sacrifice the interests
OF those outside their circle.
Ibelieve that capital and wealth, through
combination and other means, sometimes gain
IN undue advantage, and it must be conceded
that the maintenance Of sound currency
may. in q sense, be invested with a greater or
Less Importance to individuals according to
their condition and circumstances. 1t is how
ever, only a difference in degree, since il is
utterly impossible that any one in our broad
land, rich or poor, whatever may be his occu-
patton, and whether dwelling in q center Of
finance and commerce, in a remote corner
Of our domain, be really benefited by a
finance scheme, not alike beneficial to all our
people, or that
Anyone Should He Excluded
from a common and commercial interest in the
y
Che country.
In our relation to this question we are all in
business, for we all buy and sell 80 we all
have to do with financial operations, for we
all earn money and spend it. We cannot es-
cape our interdependence. Merchants and
dealers are in every neighbofnood and each
has its shops and manufactures. Wherever
the wants OF man exist, business and finance
In some degree are found, related In one di-
rection to those whose wants they supply and
In another to the more extensive business and
finance to which they are tributary.
Afuctuation In prices at the seaboard IL
known the same as in the remotest hamlet.
The discredit OF depreciation in the financial
s.nters Of any forms of money in the hands of
the people IL "a signal of immediate loss every
where. II reckless descent and wild expert
oent should sweep our currency from It's safe
support, the most defenseless oAall who suffer
I'm the time OF distress and national discredit
will be the poor, they reckon the loss in
their sca1ty support and the laborer or work.
fngman ~ he sees the money he has received
from his coil shrink and shrivel In his hand