The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-17
WIND Judge sharswOod Really Believes.

decision of Judge Sharswood on the suVJe0' VI
the legality of ''greenbaoks," which was oe-
Ivered by him in the case OF "borie VS.
Trott.n His views, as expressed on that ocoa-
sion. were fully and clearly laid down. There
WAS no mistaking them. The whole argument
was published in full, and was commented on
at the time for it's ability. 1t is evidently the
careful and matured decision of judicial
mind. 1t is the deliberate conviction of a
man who conscientiously believes himself
right, and is determined, through all things.
to adhere to what he believes is his duty. We
know that Judge Sharswood is too able man
to express crude opinion on so important a
topic. We know he is too experienced law
yer and too old man to change his opinion
after he has once expressed it. We think we
do him no injustice in saying that he holds
the same views to-day as he did then, and that,
as a conscientious man, he would do all in his
power to make his views the views of the
Bench. Now what are the views he has de-
iberately declared in regard to the finances of
our country? A more important topic of judi
cial investigation we cannot imagine The
life of nation depends on its finances. They
ne the blood which keeps up health; they
IRE the streams which supply the waters of
Life. Impair the national credit, and you
strike blow not only at the nation, but at
every individual composing that nation. The
only way thoroughly effective blow can be
struck is through the judiciary. And what
does Judge Sharswood say, in his opinion on
the Legality of the notes Ct the United States
In one place he states, in the clearest and most
unequivooal language, his utter and entire op-
position to the whole system of issuing United
States notes. He repeats and reiterates his
opposition in dozen different forms, and
leaves himself no loophole to escape through,
even if he SO desired. le a.. .rn.
And in order that there can remain no doubt
as to his decided sentiments, he impresses them
again in his closing sentence:-
"On the whole, then, am of opinion that
the provision of the act of Congress of February
rs, 1852, declaring the notes issued in pursuance
of that act to be lawful money and a legal tender
is unconstitutional" . I..
Now, looking at the decision in a common
sense point of view, we would ask our business
men, and our readers of every class, what does
this decision mean What would be the prac-
tical effect of success of those views expressed
by Judge Sharswood? What would result if
we placed him in position to give authority
to his sentiments, and enforce them upon the
oountryH The meaning of the decision does
not admit of doubt. In plain words, the
Judge declares that he does not think the Gov
ernment of the United States has any right to
issue the notes which have been circulating
from hand to hand, and which are known as
greenbacks, and it follows that all the national
bank notes are likewise issued by party who
has no right to issue them. What, then, is
the consequence? Clearly, all the greenbacks
and national bank notes are worthless. What
we have fondly considered as so much money
is really only some pretty colored paper. The
holder of ten-dollar greenback does not pos
sess ten dollars, but only piece of paper.
AL OF the money we have been receiving is no
money. 1t is base counterfeit of money.
1t is utterly worthless, and the Confede-
rate State bonds are as valuable as our
Government notes. From the banker
with his thousands to the newsboy with
his currency, every citizen of Pennsylvania is
a loser of just as much money as he holds of
that trash. We are in the same condition as
though we had received the notes of Della
ware bank that has failed. We have no one
to hold responsible. A great corporation has
o7erstepped its powers, and we cannot sue any
individual member. The losses would affect
us all, and by Judge Sharswood's ruling all
the people of the land would be just so much
the poorer. We do not say that Judge Shars-
woods election to the post of Supreme Judge
would produce so dire a catastrophe, for he
would not have power to do any such damage;
but we do say that, were his views carried out,
and his sentiments made the decision of the
judiciary of the United States, such a result
would follow. That it does not ensue is not
due to Judge Sharswood. To him no thanks
that our currency is not worthless paper and
our greenbacks colored signs. He did all he
could to produce such res ult, and for that
we are asked to elect him to wider sphere of
dangerous power. The effect of the success of
what Judge Sharswood desired to see would he
incalculable. We would be left without anv
medium of exchange. All traffic would be
obliged to cease, and we would be reduced to
the condition of the people of Texas. where
they sell a calf for saddle and a bull for a
penknife. We would be brought back to the
days of primal simplicity, and exchange things
directly for things, and not for money. We
would draw our salary in coffee and beef. for
to