The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-11-15
y, =, sg.jss:o Was Left Of the EeW'
cd Coins-Answers Numerous
Protests.

Washington, Nov, l3.-ln answer
TO one Of the numerous protests which
a.7e been received at the White
House against the new gold coins
which have been coined without the
words "In God We Trust,' Presl-
dent Roosevelt has written a letter
which he today made public. The let
ter follows:
"When the question Of the new
coinage came up, We looked into the
law and found there no warrant there
in for putting In God We Trust on
the coins. As the custom, although
without legal warrant. had grown up,
however,, I might have been lett at
liberty 70 '.oeo the inscription had l
approved # its icing on the coinage.
But as did not approve OF It, l dld
not direct that it should again be put
on. Of course. as matter OF lat 1t IS
absolutely in the hands of congress,
and any direction Of congress in the
matter will be Immediately obeyed.
At present, as I have said, there is no
warrant in law for the inscription.
INV own feeling in the matter IS
d,a TO nv verv firm conviction that
to put a 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 sacrllege.
A beautiful and solemn sentence such
as the one in question should be treat
ed only with that fine reverence
which necessarily implies a certain
exaltation Of spirit. Any use which
tends to cheaper it, and, above all.
anv use which tends to secure its be-
iae treated in spirit Of levlty: IS
from every standpoint profoundly to
be regretted. It is a motto which
t. is indeed we'll to have inscribed on
our GREAT national monuments IN our
temples of justice, in our legislative
halls and in buildings such as those at
West Point and Annapolis-in short,
wherever it will tend to arouse and
inspire lofty emotion in those VINO
look thereon. But it seems to me
euineatly unwise to cheaper such a
motto in use of coins, just as it would
TO- cheaper it by use on postage
stamps or in advertising. AS re.
sards its use on coins, we have actual
experience by which to go. In all my
life I have never heard any human
being speak reverently Of this motto
on the coins or show any sign OF Its
having appealed to any high emotion
in him. But I nave literally hum
dreds Of times heard it used as al oc-
casicn Of, and indictments to, the
sneering ridicule which it IS. ABOVE
all things, undesirable that so beau
tiful and exalted phrase should
excite. For example, throughout the
long contest, extending over several
decades, on the free coinage question:
The existence of this motion on the
eoins was a constant source OF jest
and ridicule; and this was unavold-
able. Every one must remember the
innumerable cartoons and arlcles
based on phrases like In Coo we
Trust for the Other Eight Cents;
I'm God We Trust for the Short
Weight In God We Trust Tor the
Thirty-seven Cents We Don't Pay
and so forth. Surely I am we'll WITH
in bounds when I say that a use Oh
the phrase which invites constant le-
witty of this type is most undeslraole'
# congress alters the law and directs
me to replace on the coins the SEN
tence in question, the direction Will
be put into effect, but l very earn
estlv trust that the religious sentl-
ment Of the country, the spirit OF re-
verence in the country, will prevent
anv sucn action being taken.
Sincerely yours,
~