The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-10
From As NsY FORK Times.

N From The NsU fers Times.
MEssRs EDrToRs,
Several OF the newspapers favorable to "A pure
metellic currency have lately published and re-
published an article from the writings OF BENJAMIN
Franklin In order TO prove that that great philoso
pher political economist and honest democrat lrds
also Loee foeo VIII you DO the favor to The public
publish the following simple statement from Frank
Inns own pen.
Your obedient servant
JusTIcE.
Autobiography Of BeuJamia Fyanliin, pages DC
and 81.
About this time (year l7cs) there was cry
among the people for more paper money, only fifteen
thousand pounds being extant In the province, and
that soon 10 be sunk.
The wealthy inhabitants opposed any addition,
being against all paper currency, from the appre-
hension that il would depreciate as Il had done in
New England, TO the injury Of all creditors.
I'VE had discussed this point in our junto, where
/ was ON the side OF an addition, being persuaded
that the first small sum, struck in l733, had done
much good by increasing he trade employment, and
all The old hoaSss inhabited and many ones build
ing, whereas I remember well when first walked
about the streets OF Philadelphia [eatng my roll
saw many of the houses in Walnut street, between
Second and Front streets with bills their doors,
10 Be ie; and many lkrwlse In Chestnut street. and
other streets, which made me think the inhabitants
of the city were after another deserving IT, Our
debates possessed me so full OF the subject that
entitled The nature and necessity Of Paper Cur
reaey." II was well received by the common people
in general; but the rich men disiked IT, for IL in
creased and strengthened the clamor for more money
and they happened TO have no writers among them
that were able to answer il, their opposition sacken-
ed and the point was carried by majority In the
House, My friends there, who considered that
had been of some service thought fl, to reward me,
by employing me to print the money; very proita-
BILE job and great help to me this was another
advantage gained by my being able to write.
The utility Of this currency became, by time and
experience, soeviden that the principles upon which
1t was founded, were never afterwards much dis
puted, so that II grew soon to fhy-hve thousand
pounds; and in 1879, TO eighty thousand pounds;
trade buildings and Inhabitants all the hik inercas-
| ing: though now think there are limits beyond
which the quantity may be hurtful"
1 -------------------
PoLrrrcAL BrrrERNEss is the caption of an excellent
article in the Baltimore Republican:
"There is degree of bitterness frequently dis
played by some politicians in speaking Of political
opponents, which cannot be otherwise than painful
and disgusting to every generous mind That diff
ference Of opinion vile among men, is natural
and to suppose men dishonest who happen to enter
tain views which may be supposed TO be incorrect,
is to suppose that there cannot be any honest
difference of opinion, That men who agree in
opinion should entertain friendly feeling for each
other is perfectly natural but to indulge feeling
of hostility towards an individual because he hap
pens to entertain views not entirely in accordance
with our views, displays an unwllingness 10 allow
to others the privilege which every man claims for
himself, which is that Of thinking for himself Yet
this is frequently the case and II generally happens
that those who are loudest in their proteslalions
| of desire that every man should be lefl free
| to exercise his own Judgment and TO form his
| own opinions and who denounces the most bois-
terously those whom they supposed attempted to
exercise an influence over others, and TO control
their opinions display the greatest degree of bitter
ness in speaking Of those who entertain opinions
| different from their own"