The Princeton union., 1895-04-18
| ON SOUND INANCES.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND WRITES
III LETTER TO CHICAGO MEN.
In Replying to an Invitation to
Make n Speech in Chicago, the
president Makes u Plea In Behalf
of Sound Money. "

Washington, April 16. President
Cleveland has written a reply to the
invitation to attend reception in
Chicago to express appreciation of the
presidents stand on financial Ques-
tions. The president, after regretting
his inability to be present, says in
part: --
i hope the event will mark the be-
ginning of an earnest and aggressive
effort to disseminate among the peo-
pie safe and prudent financial ideas
Nothing more important can engage
the attention of patriotic citizens, be-
cause nothing is so vital to the well
fare OF our fellow cOuntrymen and to
the strength, prosperity and honor of
our nation. The situation demands
that those who appreciate the impor-
tance Of this subject and those who
ought to be the first to see impending
danger should no longer remain in
dlHerent Or. Over-confdent. If the
sound money sentiment abroad in the
land is to save us from the mischief
and disaster it must be crystaliZed
and combined and made immediatpE
actlVe. 1t is dangerous to overlook
people with scant opportunity, thus
1af, TO examine the question in all it's
aspects, have nevertheless been in
genlously pressed with specious sug-
gestlons which in this time of mis-
fortune and depression find willing
listeners prepared to give credence to
any scheme which is plausibly pre-
sented as remedy for their unfortu-
nate condition. What is now needed
more than anything else is a plain and
simple presentation Of the argument
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
protection and safety only so long as
its solvency is unsuspected, it's honor
| unsullied and the soundness of it's
money unquestioned. These things are
all exchanged for the illusion Of a de-
based currency and groundless hope
OF advantages to be gained by dis
regard of our financial credit and COM
merclal standing among the nations Of
the world. In these restless days the
FARMER is tempted by the assurance
that though our currency may be de-
based. redundant and uncertain, such
| a situation 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 prices of the
things he has to sell is nominally en-
hanced. the cost of the things he must
buy will not remain stationary; that
| the best prices which cheap money
! proclaims are unsubstantial and elu-
slve, and that even if they We're real
and palpable, he must necessarily be
left far behind in the race for their
enjoyment. 1t ought not to be diff
cult 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.
1t is utterly impossible that any one
in our broad land, rich or poor, what
ever may be his occupation, and
whether dwelling in a center of
finance and commerce, or in a remote
| corner of our domain can be really
benefited by
A Financial Scheme.
not alike beneficial to all our people,
or that any one should be excluded
from a common and universal inter-
est in the safe character and stable
value OF the currency of the country.
The discredit or depreciation in finan-
cial centers of any form Of money in
the hands of the people is a signal of
immediate loss everywhere If reck-
less discomfort and wild experiment.
should sweep our currency from it's
safe support the most defenseless of
| all who suffer in that time of distress
| and NATIONAL discredit will be the
poor, as they reckon the loss in their
scanty support, and the laborer and
workman as he sees the money he has
received for his toll shrink and shrivel
in his hand 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 safe currency and those of
silver mOnOmetallism. I will not be-
lieve that if our people are afforded an
Intelligent opportunity for sober Sec
ond thought they will sanction
schemes that however cloaked mean
disaster and confusion. nor that they
will consent, by undermining the
foundation of a safe currency, to en-
danger the benefcent character and