It does not meet the situation to say that apprehension in regard to the future of our finances is groundless and that there is no reason for lack of confidence in the purposes or power of the Government in the premises.  The very existence of this apprehension and lack of confidence, however caused, is a menace which ought not for a moment to be disregarded.  Possibly, if the undertaking we have in hand were the maintenance of a specific known quantity of silver at a parity with gold, our ability to do so might be estimated and gauged, and perhaps, in view of our unparalleled growth and resources, might be favorably passed upon.  But when our avowed endeavor is to maintain such parity in regard to an amount of silver increasing at the rate of $50,000,000 yearly, with no fixed termination to such increase, it can hardly be said that a problem is presented whose solution is free from doubt.

The people of the United States are entitled to a sound and stable currency and to money recognized as such on every exchange and in every market of the world.  Their Government has no right to injure them by financial experiments opposed to the policy and practice of other civilized states, nor is it justified in permitting an exaggerated and unreasonable reliance on our national strength and ability to jeopardize the soundness of the people’s money.

This matter rises above the plane of party politics.  It vitally concerns every business and calling and enters every household in the land.  There is one important aspect of the subject which especially should never be overlooked.  At times like the present, when the evils of unsound finance threaten us, the speculator may anticipate a harvest gathered from the misfortune of others, the capitalist may protect himself by hoarding or may even find profit in the fluctuations of values; but the wage earner—­the first to be injured by a depreciated currency and the last to receive the benefit of its correction—­is practically defenseless.  He relies for work upon the ventures of confident and contented capital.  This failing him, his condition is without alleviation, for he can neither prey on the misfortunes of others nor hoard his labor.  One of the greatest statesmen our country has known, speaking more than fifty years ago, when a derangement of the currency had caused commercial distress, said: 

  The very man of all others who has the deepest interest in a sound
  currency and who suffers most by mischievous legislation in money
  matters is the man who earns his daily bread by his daily toil.

These words are as pertinent now as on the day they were uttered, and ought to impressively remind us that a failure in the discharge of our duty at this time must especially injure those of our countrymen who labor, and who because of their number and condition are entitled to the most watchful care of their Government.