The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1895-04-24

invitation of Chicago business men to adj
dress a meeting here, as previously an
nounced:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 13, 1898.
To MEssRs WIN. T. BAKER, GEORGE w.
SMITH, john A. Roche, T. w. HARVEY,
DAVID KELLY AND HENRY s. ROBBINS :
am much gratifed by the exceedingly
kind and complimentary invitation you
have rendered me on behalf OF many cit
liens of Chicago to be their guest at a
gathering in the interest OF sound money
and wholesome financial doctrine.
My attachment to this cause is so great
and know 50 well the hospitality and
kindness of the people of Chicago, that
my personal inclination is strongly in
favor of accepting your flattering invita-
ton, but my judgment and my estimate
OF the proprieties of my official place
oblige me TO forego the enjoyment Of
participating in the occasion you con-
template.
hope, however, the event will mark
the beginning of an earnest and agrees
i've effort to disseminate among the peo-
pie 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
ellow.country- and to strength,
prosperity and honor of our nation.
The situation confronting us demands
that those who appre ciate the import
ance of this subject and those who ought
to be the first to see impending danger
should no longer remain Indifferent or
overconfdent.
If THE SOUND MONEY SENTIMENT
Abroad in the land is to save us from
mischief and disaster il must be crystal
lied and combined and made Immediate
ly active. It's dangerous TO overlook the
fact that vast number OF our people
with scant opportunity, thus far, to ex-
anime the question in all its aspects,
pressed with spacious suggestions, which
ID 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 any
thing else is a plain and simple presenta-
ton of thesargument in favor of sound
money. In other words, it is time for
the American people to reason together
as members OF "a great nation which can
promise them continuance of protect
ion and safety only SO long as its solvency
is unsupported, its honor unsullied and
the soundness OF its money unquestioned
These things are ill-exchanges for the
illusions OF debased currency and
groundess hope Of advantages to be
gained by disregard OF our financial
credit and commercial standing among
the nations OF the world.
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 matter OF COM
parative little importance. II the
American people were only concerned in
1.-THE maintenance OF their physical life
among themselves they might return to
the old days of barter, and in this primi-
tive 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 its 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 i'm
prove the price Of his products. Let us
remind him that he must pay as well as
sell that his dreams Of plenty are shaded
by the uncertainty that If the price Of
the things he has to sell is normally
enhanced the cost OF the things he must
buy will not remain stationary that the
better prices which cheap money pro-
claims are unsubstantial and elusive,
and that even ii they were real and
palpable he must necessarily be left far
behind in the race for the enjoyment.
Ii ought not to be difficult TO convince
the wage Garner that If there were bene-
fits arising from degenerated currency,
they would reach lin 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 bis
~portion while he is at the same time
yexed with vanishing visions ofincreased
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 advocates OF safe and sound cur
reney by the insinuation, more or less
directly made, that they belong to
financial aud business classes and are
therefore not only out Of sympathy with