The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-01-28
A CLEAR DECLARATION.
Mckinley viii Maintain the Gold
Standard. at All Hazards.


ley was the chief guest Mt the banquet at
the Astoria Hotel this evening given by
the Manufacturers Association 1t WAS
the.most brilliant gathering IN years, over
1,O0O bankers, business men, brokers' and
manufacturers icing present.
The Presidents menu card was besuti-
ful in design, and was Lordered with
solid goid. He sat between ex-senator
Warner Miller, who presided, and Theo-
dore Slorch, president OF the association.
Senator Frye, Charles Emory Smith,
set at the Presidents table.
l. The chief interest, OF course, was the
Presidents speech, which contained 2, 900
words or more. Those who expected n
declaration m the currency question were
not disappointed, rs Mr. Mckinley made
that the principle feature of his address
He declared anew his purpose to maintain
the gold standard at all hazards. The
notable feature Of his speech was an ute
absence of am thing with reference TO in
ternational bimetallism. He said, among
other things, after pointing out the evil
dences on all siGe; of returned pros.
perity:
"The money of the United States must
forever he unquestioned and unassailable.
If doubts remain they must be removed.
Nothing should ever tempt us-nOthing
ever viii tempt us-to scale down, the
sacred Debt of the nation through any
legal technicality." (Evidently referring
to the Teller resolution)
Whatever may be the language of the
contract the United States will discharge
all It's obligations in such currency rec.
ogni2ed as is deemed best throughout nil
the civilized world Mt the time of pay.
ment. Nor will we ever consent that the
&c Ia1~
he scaled down by permitting payments
in dollars of less value than the dollars
accepted ms the best in every enlightened
nation of earth.
Under the existing conditions our cit.
liens cannot be excused If they do not re-
double their efforts to secure such finan
cial Legislation as will place their honor.
able intentions beyond dispute. All those
who represent, rs you do, GREAT cor serva-
tive but progressive business interests
of the country owe it not only to them.
selves, but to all the people to iusist
upon IL settlement of this great question
now, or else to lace the alternative that
ii must he again submitted for arbitra-
ton ut the polls This is our plain duty
to the voters Of fifteen months ago who
won great political battle on the issue,
among others, that the United States
Government would net permit any doabt
TO exist Notwithstanding the stability
and integrity of its currency or the invi-
oldbility OF its obligations of every kind.
cit will not suffice for citizens nova
days TO say simply that they are in favor
of sound money. That is not enough.
The peoples purpose must he given the
vitality of public law. Better an honest
effort with failure than the avoiding of so
plain and commanding duty. The diff
utes in the path OF satisfactory reform
are, it must be admitted. neither few in
number nor slight in degree, but pro-
gress oaunot fail to be male with n fair
and thorough trial. An honest attem ut
will he the best proof OF sincerity of pur-
pose.
Half heartedness never won battle.
For rs To attempt LothiIg in the face Of
prevalent fallacies and constant efforts TO
spread them is to lose valuable ground
already won and practically to weaken
the forces of sound money for their bat
ties of the future'
He said, the st Louis platform, which
the people had ratified, was the mandate
to the lawmakers to carry out that plat.
form as regards placing the currency on
a sound basis.
Tremendous applause greeted every
reference to sound currency. The Presi.
dent also spoke Of reciprocity, but only in
general terms.