Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-12-12

concurrent circulation or both metals In cur
coinage are certainly reckoning from cloudy
standpoint Our present standard OF value is
the standard of the civilized world, and per
mits the only bi-metallism now possible or at
least that within the Independent reach of any
single nation, however powerful that nation
may BE- While While, the :. value of gold
almost universal commercial and business it
does not despise silver seek its Punishment.
Wherever this standard is maintained there is its
side IN free and unquestioned circulation q vol
ume OF silver currency sometimes equaling, and
sometimes even exceeding it in amount, both
maintained at parity Notwithstanding de-
precation or huctuation in the intrinsic value OF
silver.
There is vast difference between standard
of value an a currency for monetary use. The
standard must necessarily be fixed and certain.
The currency may be in diverse forms and of
various kinds. No silver standard country has
a gold currency in circulation but an enlight-
ened and wise system of finance secures the
bsnefits of both gold and silver as currency
and circulating medium by keeping the stand
ard stable and all other currency at par with
it Such a system and such a standard also
gives free scope tor the use and expansion OF
safe and conservative credit So indispensable
to broad and growing commercial transactions
and so well substituted for the actual use of
money.
The past is full of lessons, teaching not only
the economic dangers, but the national i'm
morality that follows in the train of such ex-
pedient. will not believe that the American
people can be persuaded. after sober deIibera-
ton. to jeopardize their nations prestige and
proud standing by encouraging financial nos
tFums, nor that they will yield to the false al
lurements of cheap money, when they 1ealize
that it must result in the weakening of that
fnancirl integrity and rectitude which thus far
sn our history has been so devotedly cherished
one OF the traits of true AmericanisIn.
have ventured to express myself these
subjects with earnestness and plainness of
speech because cannot rid myself of the belief
that there turks in the proposition for the free
coinage of silver so strongly approved and
SO enthus iastically advocated by multitude
or my cauntrymen serious menace to our pros
perity and insidious temptation of our people
to wander from the allegiance they owe to
public and private integrity. It is becaus do
not distrust the good faith and sincerity of
those who press this scheme that I have
imperfectly but with zeal sumbitted my
thoughts upon this momentous subject.
to re-examine their views and beliefs in the
light of patriots, reason and familiar expert
ence, and to weigh again and again the conse-
Quences of such legislation their efforts have
invited. Even the continued agitation of the
subject adds greatly to the dific ulties of a
dangerous financial situation already forced
upon US.
In conclusion 1 especially entreat the peoples
representatives in the Congress who are
charged with the responsibility or inaugural
ing measures for the safety and prosperity of
our common country to promptly and effec-
lively consider the ills of critical financial
plight. have suggested remedy W hich my
judgment approves l DESIRE to assure the
them In perfectlng any other measures promis.
ing thorough and practical relief and that I
will gladly labor with them in every patriotic
endeavor to further the interests and guard the
welfare of our countrymen whom in our re-
spective places of duty we have undertak en- to
serve GROVER CLEVELAND