The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1895-12-07
lion would be Increased by the con

ton would be Increased by the con
sciousness that we had parted company
with all the enlightened and g
sive nations of the world and We're des
%perately and hopelessly striving to meet
the stress of modern commerce and,
competition with a debased and insult
able currency Inc in association with
the weak and laggard nations which
have silver as one of their standards OF
value. All history warns us against
rash experiments which threaten
changes in u monetary standard and
the depreciation of our currency.
Confidence in the People.
The past is full of lessons teaching
not only the economic dangers but the
national immortality that follows in the
train of such experiments. / will not
believe that the American people car
be persuaded after sober elaboration to
Jeopardize their nations prestige and
proud standing by encouraging fnan-
cial nostrums nor that they will yield
10 the false allurement of cheap money
when they realize thai it must result in
the weakening of that financial integ.
rity and rectitude which thus far in our
history has been SO devotedly cherished
as one of the traits of true American
ism.
Our country's Indebtedness, whether
owing by he government or existing
between individuals, has been con-
tfacted with reference to our present
standard, to decree by act of congress
that these debts shall be payable in
less valuable dollars than those within
the contemplation and Intention of the
parties when contracted would operate
10 transfer by the fiat of law and with
out compensation an amount of prop
erty and a volume of rights and inter-
ests almost incalculable. Those who adj
Vocate a blind n headlong plunge into
Tree oinage In the name of bimetallism.
protesting the belief, contrary to all
experience. that we could thus establish
"a double standard and a concurrent cir
cuiation OF both metals III our coinage.
are certainly reckoning from a cloudy
standpoint. Our present standard of
value Is the standard of the world and
permits the only bimetallism now possi-
pie, or that is within the independent
reach of II single nation however
powerful that nation may be.
While the value of gold as a standard
Is steadied by almost universal CONNER
cial and business use 1t does not despise
silver nor seek its Punishment. Where
ever this standard is maintained there
Is at its side in free and unauestioned
circulation a volume of silver currency
sometimes equalling and sometimes even
exceeding it in amount, both MAIN
tanned at a parity Notwithstanding a de-
probation or f%uctuation in the intrinsic
value of silver.
Standard of'va,ue ana Currencv
There is a vast difference bet wee, ,
standard of value and q currency for
monetary use. The standard must
necessarily be fixed and certain. tho
currency may be in divers forms and of
various kinds. No silver
country has a gold currency in circu-
lation, but an enlightened and wise sys-
tenn of nance secures the benefits of
both gold and silver as currency and
circulating medium by keeping the
standard stable and all other currency
at par with it, Such a system and such
Il tandard also give free scope for the
use and expansion of safe and consery-
ative credit SO Indispensable to broad
and growing commercial transactions
and so well substituted for the actual
use of money.
Every dollar of fixed and stable value
has through the agency of confident
credlt an astonishing capacity Of mul-
tlplying Itself in all work. Every nm
stable INC huctuating dollar fails as a
basis OF credit and in its use begets
gambling speculation and undermines
tle of honest enterprise.
l nave taNtlrp1 IN re, ,-,.., 49,
this subject with carnestness and plain
ness OF speech because / cannot rid my
self of the belief that there turks in the
proposition for the free oinage of sill
Yer, so strongly approved and so en-
thuslasacally advocated by a multi
luae Oh my countrymen. a serious men
ace 10 u prosperity and an insidunus
temptation to our people to wande
from the allegiance they owe to public
and private integrity. 1t is because I
do not distrust the good faith and sim
cerity of those who press this scheme
mat ! have imperfectly but with zeal
submitted my thoughts upon this mo-
mentous subject. l cannot refrain from
begging them to re-examinc their Views
and beliefs in the light of patriotic rea-
son and familiar experience and 10
weigh again and again the conse-
quences of such legislation as their eff
forts have invited. Even the continued
agitation of the subject adds greatly 10
the difficulties of a dangerous financial
situation already forced upon us.
In conclusion l especially entreat the
peoples representatives In the congress
who are charged with the responsibility
of inaugurating measures for the safe
ty and prosperity of our common
try, to promptly and effectively consider
the ills of u financial plight. | have
suggested a remedy which my judgment
approves. / desire, however. to assure
the congress that I am prepared to CO.
operate with them in perfecting any
other measure promising thorough and
practical relief and that ! will gladly
labor with them in every patriotic en-
deavor to further the interests and
guard the welfare of our countrymen.
whom in u respective places of duty
we have undertaken to serve.
Grover Cleveland.
Washington, ID. c.. Executive Man