The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-11-21

President Roosevelt Explain. Why
Motto 'tln God We Trust Was
Omitted From New Series Of
Gold Coin.

Washington, Nov. 13.-In answer
to one OF the numerous protests
which have been received at the
White House against the new gold
coin which have been coined without
the words "In God We Trust" Presi-
dent Roosevelt has written d letter
which he today made public. The
letter follows:
when the question of the new
coinage came up we looked into the
law and found there was no warrant
therein for putting "In God We
Trust" on the coins. AS the custom,
although without legal warrant, had
grown up, however, l might have
felt at liberty to keep the inscription
had l approved of it's being on the
coinage. But as l did not approve
of it, did not direct that it should
again be put on. OF course the mat
ter OF the law is absolutely in the
hands of Congress andsany direction
OF Congress in the matter will be i'm
mediately obeyed.
| "At present, as | have said, there
is no warrant in law for the inscrip-
ton.
"My own feeling in the matter is
due to my firm conviction that to
put such motto on coins, or to use
it in any kindred manner, not only
does no good but does positive harm.
and is in effect irreverence, which
comes dangerously close to sacrilege.
A beautiful sentence such as the one
in question should be related and ut
tered only with that fine reverence
which necessarily implies certain
exaltation Of spirit. Any use which
tends to cheaper it and above all
any use which tends to secure it's
being treated in Il spirit OF levity, is
from every standpoint profoundly to
be regretted. 1t is a motto which it
is indeed nice to have inscribed on
our great national monuments, in
our temples of Justice, in our legisla-
tive halls and in buildings such as
those at West Point an Annapolis,
in short, wherever it will tend to
inspire a lofty emotion in those who
look thereon. But it seems to me
eminently unwise to cheaper such a
motto by use on coins, just as it
would be to cheaper it by use on
postage stamps, or in advertisements.
CAS- regards it's use on the coinage
we have actual experience by which
to 90. In all my life l never have
heard any human beng speak reVer-
Iently of this motto on the coins, or
show any signs of it's having ap-
pealed to any high emotion in him.
but have literally hundreds OF times
heard it used as an occasion OF and
incitement to the sneering ridicule
which it is above all things undesira-
BILE that so beautiful and exalted a
phrase should excite. For example
throughout the long contest extend
, ing over several decades on the free
coinage question the existence OF this
motto was constant source OF Jest
and ridicule; and this was unavoida-
BILE. Every one must remember the
, innumerable cartoons and articles
based On phrases like I'm God We
Trust for the Eight Cents" ''In God
> We Trust for the Short Weight, "In
) God We Trust for the Thirty-sevel
t Cents We Do Not Pay" and SO forth
3 and 90 forth. Surely l am we'll within
= the bounds when say that use o
a the phrase which invites con 'tan'
: levity of this type is most undeslra
e BILE. If Congress alters the law anC
t directs me to replace on the coins th'
e sentence in question, the direction
! will be Immediately put into effect
). but / very earnestly trust that th'
Y religious sentiment Of the country
the spirit OF reverence in the country
r will prevent any such action being
a taken.
t (Signed.)