The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-09-26

SOUND nONEY.
Letter to the New York Democratic
Editorial Association.


Editorial Association.
Two hundred and twentyseven ed
itors and their friends were present at
the banquet of the Democratic Editor
ial Association ofthe State of New York
held at Demonico's, New York city,
recently. Letters expressing regret
at inability to be present from
President Cleveland, Postmaster Cen
eral Wilson, Secretary Of War Lamont,
and many others, were read. President
Cleveland's letter was as follows:
"EXECUTIvE MANSION, !
"WAsHINGToN, D. G.
ITO John A. Mason, Esq, Chairman.
"MY DEAR SIR: l regret that my
official duties oblige me to decline the
courteous invitation have received to
attend the annual banquet of the Dem
ocratc Editorial Association on the oath
inst. This reunion of Democratic ed
itors. will, am sure, be an enjoyable
occasion to all who participate; but [
shall be much disappointed if the fellow
ship and interchange of sentiment it
will afford, do not stimulate the zeal
and effort of the fraternity now assem-
bled in behalf Of the Democratic cause
and Democratic principles.
''Our party is 50 much party OF
power, and its proper action and USE
tulness are so dependent upon a con-
slant adherence to its doctrines and
traditions, that no tendency in our
ranks to follow the misleading light of
temporary popular misapprehension
should 60 unchallenged. Our victories
have all been won when we have closely
followed the banner Of Democratic prin-
ciples. We have always been punished
by defeat when, losing sight of our ban
ner, we have yielded to the blandish-
ments Of un-Democratic expediency.
''There is temptation now vexing
the people in different sections of the
country which assumes the disguise of
Democratic party principles, inasmuch
as it presents scheme which is claimed
to be remedy for agricultural depres-
sion and such other hardships as affict
our fellow-citizens.
''Thus, because we are the friends
of the people and profess devotion to
their interests, the help Of the men,
bers of our party is invoked in support
of plan to revolutionize the monetary
condition of the country, and embark
upon an experiment which is discred-
tied by all reason and experience,
which invites trouble and disaster in
every avenue Of labor and enterprise,
and which must prove destructive TO
ovr national prestige and character.
When campaign is actively on foot to
force the free, unlimited and indepen-
dent coinage of silver by the govern
ment at ratio which will add to our
circulation unrestrained millions Of So
called dollars, intrinsically worth but
half they purport TO represent, with no
provision or resource to make good
this deficiency in value, and when it is
claimed that such proposition has any
relation to the principles of Democracy,
it is time for all who may in the least
degree influence Democratic thought to
realize their responsibility. Our party
is the party of the people, not because
it is waited hither and thither by every
sudden wave of popular excitement and
misconception, but because, while it
tests every proposition by the doctrines
which underlie its organization, it in
sists that all interests should be de-
Tended in the administration of the gov
eminent without especial favor or dis
elimination.
"Our party is the party of the peo-
pie because in its care for the welfare
of all our countrymen, it rcsists dan
gerous schemes born of discomfort, ad-
vocated by appeals to sectional or class
prejudices, and reinforced by the in
sidious aid Of private selfshness and
cupidity. Above all our party is the
party of the people when it recognizes
the fact that sound and absolutely safe
money is the life blood Of our country's
strength and prosperity, and when it
teaches that none of our fellow citizens,
rich or poor, great or humble, can es-
cape the consequences of degenera-
ton OF our currency.
"DemOcratic care and conservatism
dictate that if there exists inconven-
fence and hardships, resulting from the
congestion or imperfect distribution Of
our circulating medium, a remedy
should be applied which will avoid the
disaster that must follow in the train
OF silver mono-metallism. What
have written has not been prompted
by any fear that the Democracy of the
State of New York will ever be an &C
complete to such an injury to their
country as would be entailed by the
free, unlimited and independent COIN
age of silver; nor do I believe they will
be so needless of party interests as to
support such movement. have re-
ferred to this subject in the belief that
nothing more important can engage the
attention of the American people or
the national Democracy and in the
conviction that the voice of the Dem
ocrats of New York, through its press
should constantly be heard in every
State. ''Yeurs very truly,
"GROvER CLEVELAND"