Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-09-24

der the impression, l made IL that ~. With the
knowledge Of these facts. you had asserted that Col
'enton was the first In propose II, other words
that tho proposition 10 separate the Government
from the Banks originated with him. But now
derstand from note, that In this | WAS mistaken.
and that instead Of the broad assertion | supposed.
You made the more narrow ono, "that the demand
oi the public dues in gold and silver had been first
presented IN Congress, distinct and specific pro-
position. by Col. Benton"
1t ~ not at all necessary, in reference TO the point
between us. to inquire what precise meaning you IN
tended to attach In these words. whether are
not mistaken, when taken even IN their most restrict
ed sense. II ~ sufficient To say. that the inference
dfow aud the expression To which You object, was
drawn on the superstition, that YOU had directly con
tradictcd IN unqualified terms my assertion, that the
proposition Tor ihc separation had not originated with
Col Benton, and of course tho expression is not APP
pllcablc To the more restricted proposition. which
now understand YOU had used.
Respectfully, J. G. CALHOUN.
Hon. w. TnoMrsoS.
The above letter Of Mr.. Colhoup disclaimng the
apple alton of his offensive expressions "to the pro-
position as he understands TO have used it,"
puts end To the controversy between rs, far
II was OF personal character. 1t il due TO myself
however to say, that the language rccited IN letter
10 Mr.. Calhoun, wns verbatim. the language which
used, and II otherwise understood 1t first by Mr. Cal
houn, it was so explained by me nj the time, and Mr..
{. then replied To that Observation-Disclosures
however. then, that explanation OF his own language
which he now so properly makes. | was discussing
separately the two great features ofthe Sub Treasu.
| ~ bill, and whilst rcmarking upon the feature de-
mnnding gold and silver only for Government dues
said that II had first been submitted 10 Congress
~ separate aud distinct proposition by Col. Ben
ton, IN 1896; and, on being interrupted by Mr. G.,
also stated that Gen. Gordon had submitted il be.
lore, but In conncsion with another featurc-fbc
place and mode of keeping tie public rcvcnuc-bu,
that the distinct and insulated question of the ,erc.
ton OF bank notes for Government dues was first pre-
scented by Col. benton, in proof of which. ! read
the following act introduced BY Col Benton ia June,
1896:
BE il enacted, &c, tia, bank notes and paper
currency Of every description shall cease Ia be re-
eeivcd or offered in payment on account Of the u.
States or 81 the Post Office. in fees in the Cour,s
OF the u. s., as follows: ofless denomination than
$50 none, after the 81 day of March. 1882 of less
denomination than $500 none, after the ID day of
March, 1910, Of less denomination than 81 900
none after the I'd day OF March, 1871 and none of
any denomination, from and after the Sd day of
March, 1912"
did not suppose that Mr.. Calhoun could
have understood me ~ conimdiriing his statement
rs TO Gen. Gordon's measure, IN any offensive
sense, questioning his ,eraoity or he would not
Lave ,"plied by rcior Of the insult. | very well
knew that Gen. Gordon had introduced his mca-
SURE in February, 1885, aud not in 1884, MS Mr.
Calhoun states It. lrepcat then, in the very words
Which uttered n: The Babaeuo, without rclraction
or modification, that ,e proposition to receive gold
and silver only in payment OF the public dues. u
distinct aud specific proposition. was first made by
Col. Benton. Mr.. Calhoun understood me other
wise. regret il, rs an unpleasant difficulty grew
out Of this misconccphop.
lhave deemed IT my duty 10 make this full state
ment, II has been scdnously reported that had
rctracied what ] said that occasion. have re-
traccd no single fact that stated and may add,
that IN ali that have said and written, this and
every other political question, am not conscious OF
any | mi
have gone farther, and stated what supposed al
most every man in the u. $. knew that Col Ben
the author the FIRST to suggest this gold and
silver policy. II he was OF. why la, he been called
humbug Benton" "bard money Benton ~
Why are gold COINS called "Benon drops1 7" II |
Gen. Gordon is tn. true father OF the policy thcv
should have been called Gordon drops. But to the
proof. In speech made III the Senate on the 3lst
March 1884, the following passages occur, with fifty
others like thcm Colonel Benton said, " In the
first place, he was ono Of those who believed that the
Government oithe L. s. was intended To be u hard
money Govrrnmen-that it was the intention and
the declmaton Of the Constitution OF the e. s. that
tho Federal currency should consist of gold and
silver and that there IS power in Congress to Is
sue, or TO authorize any company of individuals To i,
sue, any species Of Federal paper currency what
ever" " The authority given TO Congress to coin
moncy,is an authority TO stamp metallic money, and
authority for issuing slips Of paper, contain
ing promises 10 pay money. Pretty strong think.
against Treasury Notes.
Again, lie says, " Gold and silver is The only thing
recognized rs money" g Iii, the nancy, aud the
only money of the Constitution. Every historic
recollection rs wcllas every phrase in the Conslifn
tion and every early statute the subject confirms
the idea" They ltlle trainers OF The Constitution
determined TO have no more Federal paper money!
They created hard money governmcnt-,hcy in
tended the government 10 recognise nothing for
money but gold and silver These passages are
taken from very long and able speech, the main OBJ
ject of which is to prove the nnconsiuonality and
inexpedency OF receiving in the dues Of The Govern
menl any thing but gold and silver.
This was on the 2lst March. 1884. Gen. Cor
don's b i'll introduced the 10Th February, 1885
MI Condy Racquet brought his proposition TO
Washington, the following of letter from
him to Mr.. Preston shows, in May, 1884
Dear Slr-Your favor of the 9Th Of June is at
hand. In reference the matter alluded to there
in, and far my recollection serves me, did
ted with you verbally in May, 1884. Having failed
brought the plan to the view of Mr.. Lewis and sew
era other members OF the House Of Representatives
from the South, with no better success until
found Gen. Gordon, WHO gave it favorable recep-
ton"
Ii will not now, trust, be denied, that Col. Ben.
ton was the first to advocate, in speech In Con-
grcss orto propose as specific aud separate mea-
sure, the specie feature OF the Sub Treasury Bill
that feature, without which Mr.. Calhoun SAYS that
measure IS mockery. II not the author of the pro-
iect of Divorce he is the author Of that which is re-
gardcd rs its great and important feature. Ii is
the worse for IT'S origin, il II is a good thing
II is halt ms wise aud benccent measure rs il is
now thought TO be, Benton deserves statue of gold