Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-04-20
A Uniform Currency.

pioiCSS Sltdl duUllTdIlpI IOr green
backs as National currency. The popular
mind, too, of late, seems to be drifting in
| the same direction. Since we cannot have
gold or SILVER, or paper money convertible
INTO specie, Is 1t not desirable that we should
have circulating medium approximating in
us essential characteristics to that which it
Is intended to represent? The miscellane-
Gus bulls OF the various local institutions of
IN the country are sorry substitutes for money.
Il he National issues of the Government. or.
what is popularly known as greenbacks, GER
talniy possess more claims and enjoy more
1avor with the American people than any
paper money which has yet been furnished.
l. lhey supply, IN great measure, long-felt
national want. Their value and worth is
co-extensiye with the authority of the Gov
ernment. Greenbacks, for nearly all busi-
ness purposes, are equivalent to gold Not
as measure Of values is it claimed but
for all commercial uses are they not safe,
convenient and accessible?
The precious metals for wears to come
VIII have ceased to be looked upon as mon
ey. They are to be regarded, under the
changed circumstances Of the nation mere
iy as articles of traffic, and subject to the
same laws OF mutation in price, as govern
other articles of domestic commerce. To
meet the extraoId binary condition of things,
the government has thrown out these vol
umes of paper currency. The faith and
credit OF the United States are pledged for
their redemption. Every loyal man in the
North has not only an answering reliance
III the stability Of the government, but he
has also an unshaken confidence in the abil-
lty and determination of its administration
TO crush the present rebellion,and to restore
speedily to the country its former unity and
his
ment with our people 1t is a well consid-
ered deep rooted conviction 1t IS the
ground and pillar of their faith While the
national life has been tried as with fire, ev-
cry demand for men and money has been
met with a readiness and hearty aequies-
cence that has no parallel in the annals of the
world.
The undeveloped resources of the United
States, as evidenced by what the people
have done during the past three years, have
astonlshed even the monarchies of Europe
1t has been found that an increasing nation
al debt, instead of proving, as was appre-
hended by few timid people, source of
weakness and decay, has become bulwark
of national strength and growth. Every
dollar invested in the national obligations
has been an additional bond of adhesiveness
and perpetuity. The treasure and blood
which have been given to defend and per-
petuate our cherished liberties and institu-
tons, serve but to enhance the people es-
innate of their priceless value. So long,
then, as Americans have faith in themselves |
they will have faith In the Government
and SO long as they have faith in the Gov |
ernment, they will have faith in the credit |
OF the Government, no matter what shape |
it may assume, whether bonds or bank bills /
These greenbacks are part and parcel of the |
Government and the people are the Govern |
ment. What better argument can we offer !
for their acceptance as uniform and ma |
tlonal medium Of circulation? Are they /
not boarded as gold formerly was boarded +? |
Do they not serve us for money? Are they not |
a safe, convenient currency? What loyal man |
dare refuse them? or who has ever thought |
Of declining to receive them? They are ia
ken in exchange for all YOU want to buy,
they will pay all your debts, and they will
not spoil by keeping. What more is expec-
ted! Let Congress. then, in q spirit of
wise legislation, establish uniform ctrren-
", and if they cannot devise anything bet
.er, greenbacks will be entirely satisfactory.
Necessarily connected with this question
# currency is that of taxation and revenue.
If Congress will only have the wisdom and
irmness to impose such system Of tariff
iutles as will yield the highest amount of
eFenue cOmpatlOle with the best interests
If the country, it will still add strength to
he public faith and credit The interests
If the nation demand thorough and COM
1lete system of internal taxation as well as
IN increased tariff on foreign imports The
Government must have revenue Her own
:itizens, who carry the debt in their pockets,
ire animated with the spirit which Congress
las only to initiate in practical legislation =
Rttsburg Commercial