Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-23
MESSAGE FROM MCKINLEY

N RESIDENT MCKINLEY, when
asked to define his position with
h regard to broad Americanism
rather than the narrower scope of
the political party with which he
was identified, took a volume of his
Speeches and Addresses, turned to that
entitled mo compromise with the
demagogue," deleted certain passages
that were hardly relevant, under
lined others and pointing to the state
ment that remained, said:
Whenever you have occasion to-
write about what William Mckinley
thinks, you will find your text here"
Today The Los Angels Herald pre-
sents to the American people the post
humous message of Mckinley. 1t will
give food for thought to all Americans
to Republicans perhaps rather than
Democrats; but it is a message to
every citizen who is observing the
signs of the times:
my party has stood firm and i'm
movable for right and country, for the
public credit, a sound currency and
for the maintenance of industrial in
dependence and the dignity and eleva-
ton of American labor. I am in favor
of a regulated immigration, which shall
be just and reasonable and humane.
Our shores should be made impossible
to the vicious, the criminals and pub
lie dependents of other lands, but not
inhospitable to the honest and vir-
tuous and those who are well
disposed to our institutions, seek
ing new and happier homes,
ready to share the burdens as we'll as
the blessings Of our society. We de-
mand and win require strict enforce
ment of existing law, and such addi-
tional safeguards as will protect our
citizenship and our labor. can never
consent to an irredeemable currency.
whether issued by state or national au-
thority. I will maintain the public
faith and the public honor, and my face
will be set against debased coin and
a deprecated currency, now as here
tofore. will not forget the admoni-
ton of Washington, who said: Cherish
the public credit as most important
source of our strength and security
81 am in favor of a circulating medi-
UNI large enough to do the vast bust
ness of this country. Experience at
home and throughout the world has
demonstrated that a fluctuating. ire
deemable currency falls most injurious
ly upon the laborer and agriculturist
of the country. We have reached the
point where the ways part; one
straight and honorable, the other
crooked and beset with ills; the one
leading away from the well-settled pol
icy of the fathers. which can end only
in a revolution of values, the ruin of
national and individual credits, and
financial arrangement generally; the
other leading by a shining path to
public safety and financial honor.
There can be no legerdemain in leg
islation which will secure to us money
which does not belong to us or which
can provide the means to pay our
debts. The government was not or
dained for any such purpose. 1t can
only give to the citizen the widest OPP
DOrEull1LY OF IeWdIu LII lllS lhbOiB VII
ergy and investment. 1t cannot sup
ply his losses, nor can it loan its taxes
Ii him. 1t can coin money and reg
ulate the value thereof; it can
borrow money when its receipts
fail to provide the necessary
revenue to conduct the gov
| eminent; but it cannot create money
without creating a debt chargeable
upon the people. 1t cannot become
the depository of the products of the
people and advance money thereon,
and if it had the power it would be un-
wise and suicidal to do it, and no man
who will seriously reflect win be OF
any other opinion.
| webster. second only to Hamilton in
financial wisdom, said "A disordered
currency is fatal to industry, frugality
and economy. 1t fosters the spirit OF
speculation and extravaganza. 1t is
the most effectual of inventions to fer
tiIize the rich mans fields with the
sweat of a poor mans brow The
public credit and sound finances must