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.

It is of the utmost importance that such relief as Congress can afford
in the existing situation be afforded at once. The maxim "He gives twice
who gives quickly" is directly applicable. It may be true that the
embarrassments from which the business of the country is suffering
arise as much from evils apprehended as from those actually existing.
We may hope, too, that calm counsels will prevail, and that neither the
capitalists nor the wage earners will give way to unreasoning panic
and sacrifice their property or their interests under the influence of
exaggerated fears. Nevertheless, every day's delay in removing one of
the plain and principal causes of the present state of things enlarges
the mischief already done and increases the responsibility of the
Government for its existence. Whatever else the people have a right
to expect from Congress, they may certainly demand that legislation
condemned by the ordeal of three years' disastrous experience shall be
removed from the statute books as soon as their representatives can
legitimately deal with it.

It was my purpose to summon Congress in special session-early in the
coming September, that we might enter promptly upon the work of tariff
reform, which the true interests of the country clearly demand, which so
large a majority of the people, as shown by their suffrages, desire and
expect, and to the accomplishment of which every effort of the present
Administration is pledged. But while tariff reform has lost nothing of
its immediate and permanent importance and must in the near future
engage the attention of Congress, it has seemed to me that the financial
condition of the country should at once and before all other subjects be
considered by your honorable body.

I earnestly recommend the prompt repeal of the provisions of the act
passed July 14, 1890, authorizing the purchase of silver bullion, and
that other legislative action may put beyond all doubt or mistake the
intention and the ability of the Government to fulfill its pecuniary
obligations in money universally recognized by all civilized countries.

GROVER CLEVELAND.