Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-02-08
EVENING STAR.
WASHlNGTON:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1853.
The District Currency.

IhlS OBJECT mas Dy no means lost It's IN
terest. On the contrary it is increasing in
Importance every day. al classes ofsocie-
ty are interested in originating and contin-
uing sound, healthy circulating medium.
The thousands of dollars that have been
lost in Washington-mainly among those of
our harl-working population who could
lily afford to lose their money-would have
loag since paid all the extra expense now
required to meet and supply the public de-
mand for convenient and safe currency.
We have been much interested, while re-
fecting and writing on this subject, by some
remarks respecting it in late number of the
Baltimore Sun. We take pleasure in re-
fecting portion of this true light of the
San, through the columns of the Euenng
Sur:
''The small note prohibition, as it now
stands upon the statues of the State, is
wise, just, and salutary enactment. 1t is in
accordance with the experience of the past
four month, during which time the opera
ton of the preliminary portion of the law
has gone into effect. That portion of the law
has proved acceptable to all the people; it
has indicated its own excellence in a re-
markable brief period of time. 1t has ex-
ceeded our expectations in this respect, and
now commands universal favor. We have
less confidence that the good effects of the
prohibition against the small notes of Mary
land will be so speedily realized. Some in
convenience may ensue that was not felt
under the abslition Of the foreign issues :;
aid out of this possibility we can draw
plausible argument for ezpediency For
Instance, let it be urged that the incon-
venience would be so grea. that the commu-
nity might be induced to connive at the
circulation of small notes. Our own banks,
subject to the law, and responsible institu-
tons, would cease to issue them, and thus
foreign issues would steal back upon us, or
irresponsible individuals impose their worth
l-ss trash upon the community.
''But is the supposition a reasonable one ?
Are the citizens of Baltimore so blind or so
Indifferent to their own interests that they
could be induced to tolerate such an outrage
against that policy which can alone redeem
aud establish upon sound basis the trade
Of the whole country? We think not and
" it'll this confidence in the intelligence, and
the integrity, and the consistent self-interest
of the people, we contend for the mainte-
lance of that policy. Moreover, the acholt
country is moving in the same direction.
Banks of issue are, under no circumstances,
safe The banks of our city and State are,
no doubt, among the very best in the Union,
and our banking system is about as good as
any other. We have no objection to urge on
this score; but we have general objection
to everything that contributes to an artif-
cial currency, inconsistent with real values
and the healthy wants of the public
What is thus true of the Monumental city
is equally true OF the capital of the nation.
Indeed it is Of more importance that Wash
ington should be right in this matter than
Baltimore. 1t is our duty to set good ex-
ample in every respect to the country and
in what way can we better show such an
example than by establishing and maintain
ing sound national currency of gold and
silver?
To CoRREsPoNDENTs.-W must again re-
quest all who write for the Evening Star to
IL Al