Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-02-03
THE PRESIDENT AND SOUND MONEY.

There was assurance in President
Mchinley5s remark5 on the money
question at the dinner of the National
Association of Manufacturers in New
York. Thursday night. More, by far, than
was contained in his letter of accspt-
ance. in bis various speeches during tho
campaign that resulted in his election,
or even in his inaugural address. lie
rose to the oucasion more fully than
ever before, and though not explicit in
recommendations as TO currency re-
form, was emphatic in his declaration
of its necessity, and tina necessity Of
maintaining the full value of our
national money. Abiding to the duty
of the government ito coin money and
regulate the value thereof" tue Preai-
dent said;
.'This duty requires that our govern
ment shall regulate tho value Of its
money by tbs highest standarhs of
commercial honesty and national honnr.
The money of the United Ststsa la and
must forever be unqusationed and un
assailahle. III doubts remain, they must
be removed. If weak places are dis
covered, they must be strengthened.
Nothing should ever tempt us
nothing ever will tempt us-to scale
down the sacred debt Of the nation
through legal technically. Whatever
may be the language of tho contract,
the United States will discharge all of
its obligations in the currency recog-
nized as the best throughout the civil
lied world ut the times Of payment.
Nor will we ever consent that the
wages of labor or its frugal sRvinga
shall he scaled down by permitting pay
/ -. Ii Il l., .,ol, flpta he
dollars accepted as the hest in every en-
lightened nation Of the earth.
"Under existing conditions our Citi-
zens cannot be excused if they do moi
redouhle their efforts TO secure such
financial legislation as will place theiI
honorable in entions beyond dispute.
All those who represent, as you do. tins
great conservative but progressive bust
ness interests of the country, owe it moi
only to themselves but to the people Il
insiet upon the settlement OF this greai
question now, or else to face the alter
native that it must be again submittec
for arbitration at tho polls.
"This is our plain duty to more thar
aaven million voters who fifteen month";
ago won great political battle on thu
issue. among others, that the Unitet
States government would not permit |
doubt to exist anywhere concerning thu
stability and integrity of its currenc.
or the inviolahility OF its obligations o
avery kind. That is my Interpretation
of that victory.
! "Whatever effort therefore, is re
auired to make thu settlement of tbi
vital question clear and conclusive 70
all time We are hound in good con
science to undertake. and, if possible
! realize. That il our commission
present charter from the people.
"It will not suffice Tor citizens nova
, days to say simply that they are il
t favor Of sound money. That is no
{ enough. The peoples purpose must b
j given tho vitality Of public law. Bette
1 an honest effort with failure than th
avoiding of SO plain and commandin
9 duty. :"
] 1t ia true that the President does nc
r once mention gold" or thu "gol
I siandard,n but it is hardly possible t
. canstrue his declarations as meanin
I anything else.
In the coming struggle, before Cor
greas. therefore, the people have right
L in view of the above publicly expresse
d sentiments, to expect President Nj
Kinley 10 give the full influence of hi
!. administration to thecause of currene
d reform and tho maintenance of tine gol
0 standard.