New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-17
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER H. 1873

sentation of its own government, it thus
artfully contrasts the benevolence of its
favorite form of rule:
To protect the poor from the loss incident
to the use of small currency, the monarch
ial governments of Europe keep their mints
in continual activity to recon the silver
which constitutes their currency that the
waste by abrasion should not fall on the
poor; but here, in this land of the people
and of popular government, we have gov
eminent specializing, by its rotting paper
money, on the necessities Of the poor, and
deliberately taxing them, TO the amount of
millions, by its use. And, as if to hasten
on the destruction of this currency in the
hands of the people, metallic coins of five
and ten cents are put forth, which, by their
friction on the paper money used with it,
speedily destroys 1t.
Blessed monarchy! Why do not the
Kings slaves go to the land where his ma
jesty dispenses coppers instead of nickels?
We should think this difference would
very we'll mark the value of the changed
allegiance. What is the history of this
small currency? That it was issued when,
as a result of civil war, the depreciation OF
currency was such that small coin had
disappeared. That it was intended to
meet the wants of the poor. 1t was not
issued by this administration. Under Mr.
Lincoln the first circulation was made Of
postal stamps, succeeded by the present
currency. It was made for the soldier and
for those dependent on the soldier. So far
from being curse of the poor, the poor
blessed its introduction, since it saved
them from the broker. The Picayrlne
must blame the war for the depreciation
of the currency, which caused paper to be
substituted for coin.
But who are the oppressed poor who
should revolt because the worst govern
ment in the world robs them by this
''fagitious taxi" Does the Picdy,tne real
ize that this is a government Of the peo-
pie? Whatever, then, was done in the
manufacture Of currency was done by the
people, through their representatives
Whatsoever gain may be made by this
robbery and destruction of currency goes
to whom? To this very people, to these
very poor" about whom such an hideous
cutlery is made. Yes, the people made
this small currency to relieve their own
wants. If it is worn and wasted, the
loss goes to their credit, since they need
not be taxed to replace it. The poor in
Louisiana include great number to
whom the Picayune attributes political in
competency. Yet they are voters. They
are by no means satisfied that the paper
dime is q fraud ON them. They under
stand that it is their money, issued at
their instance, and that if it is lost or de-
stroyed they will not have to pay taxes
for its redemption.
This perpetual swapping and snarling
at every act Of government can have no
effect to overthrow this republic. 1t will
never revive the war Of the sections nor
restore the rule of the nullifers.
There is one thing it can do and has
done. 1t can create hatred to our city
and its interests much more formidable
than this impotent malevolence can be. A
government systematically traduced by a
press and people may be so just as not to
withhold any legal dues from the people
that it represents, but it is not in human
nature to lick the foot perpetually up
raised against them. The effect of this
attempt to create sectional disafection
has, as we are assured from many quar-.
tiers, created disgust and even an indig-
nation at the North, which will not pro-
mote the commercial or legislative inter
ests of New Orleans. She even now is
imploring the very currency, large OF
small, which the Picayne denounces as
a fraud and robbery. There are other
measures of legislative aid that will re.
ceive small favor when urged by advocates
inimical to the very power which is asked
to grant them. The Picaytne but wreakf
the impotent vengeance Of an obsolete
clique at the expense of city CONNER
cially dependent upon the very power
that it denounces. Those interested il
the business and property of the city hat
better either silence this maladroit advo
cate or announce that they are not re
sponsible for its utterances.