Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-02-03
A CLEAR DECLARATION.
Mckinley Will Maintain the Gold Standard
at All Hazards.

New York, Jan. 27.-President McKin-
lev was the chief guest at the banquet at
the Astoria Hotel this evening given by
the Manufacturers Association. 1t was the
most brilliant gathering in years, over
GOO bankers, business men, brokers and
manufacturers being present.
The Presidents menu card was beautiful
in design, and was bordered with solid
gold. He sat between ex-senator Warner
Miller, who presided, and Theodore
Slorch, president Of the association.
Senator Frye, Charles Emory Smith, eX-
Minister to Russia, and eX-Judge Rowland
sat at the Presidents table,
The chief interest, of course, was the
Presidents speech, which contained 1000
words OF more. Those who expected a
declaration on the currency question were
not disappointed as Mr.. Mckinley made
that the principal 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 utter
absence of anything with reference to in
ternational bimetallism. He said, among
otEer things, after pointing out the evil
dences on all sides Of u returning pros
perity:
"The money of the United States must
forever be unquestioned and unassailabe.
If doubts remain they must be removed.
Nothing should ever tempt us-nothing
ever will tempt us-to scale down the sa-
cred debt of the nation through any legal
technically" Evidently referring to the
Teller resolution.)
Whatever may be the language Of the
contract the United States will discharge
all its obligations in such currency recog-
nized as is deemed best throughout all the
civilized world at the time Of payment.
Nor will we ever consent that the wages Of
labor Or its frugal savings shall be scaled
down by permitting payments in dollars Of
less value than the dollars accepted as the
best in every enlightened nation Of earth.
"Uuder the existing conditions our cit
liens cannot be excused if they do not re-
double their efforts to secure such financial
legislation as will place their honorable in
tentions beyond dispute. All those who
represent, as you do, great conservative
but progressive business interests Of the
country owe it not only to themselves, but
to all the people to insist upon settle
ment of this great question now, or else to
face the alternative that it must be again
submitted for arbitration at the polls This
is our plain duty to the voters Of fifteen
months ago who won great political bat
tie on the issue, among others, that The
United States government would not per-
nit any doubt to exist anywhere concern
ing the stability and integrity of its cur
rency or the lnviolability Of its obligations
of every kind
at will not suffice for citizens nowadays
to sayslmply that they are IN favor oil sound
money. That is not enough. The peo-
pies purpose must be given the vitality of
public law. Better an honest effort with
failure than the avoiding Of so plain and
commanding duty. The difficulties in
the path Of satisfactory reform are, it must
be admitted, neither few in number nor
slight in degree; but progress cannot fail to
be made with fair and thorough trial
An honest attempt will be the best proofof
sincerity of purpose.
"Halfheartedness never Won a battle.
For us to attempt nothing in the face of
prevalent fallacies and constant efforts to
spread them is to lose valuable ground al
ready won and practically to weaken the
forces of sound money for their battles of
the future"
He said the st. Louis platform which the
people had ratified, was the mandate to
the lawmakers to carry out that platform
as regards placing the currency on a sound
basis.
Tremendous applause greeted every ref
erence to sound currency The President
also spoke of reciprocity but only in gen.
eral terms.