Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1874-04-21
su,II. THE NATIONAL DOLLAR BE
THE TRUTH or A LIEt

THE TRUTH OR A LIEs
This Is tho question which for months
past has been pressing itself forward
for decision by the Legislative and Ex-
ecutiye branches Of our Government.
IL has been decided by the former In
a vote which, although non-partisan,
1, rs sectional as was ever the ques-
ton Of slavery. 1t Is now before a
Republican President for definite aud
final settlement. This 10 a question
which taken In any aspect more near
ly involves the honor OF our Govern
ment, its credit abroad and at home,
and as resultant, the prosperity oil Its
citizens aud ~perpetuity OF Its institu'
tons than any other which has been
raised since those OF slavery and States
Rights came before t~he'pc0ple with the
war bego,ten by their teachings. 1t Is
for this Government to decide whether
Its plighted faith given to Its citizens
and to the world In the hour OF Its
greatest need shall now. In an era OF
general prosperity, be kept inviolate
or trsmpled in the dust. The rcdemp-
ten OF the greenbacs In specie was as
clearly promised to the nation as was
the payment OF the interest bearing
bonds In gold. 1t was not onlya legal
pledge, but one OF honor. and In our
mind a failure to redeem the promise
or IN indefinite postponement oil the
resumption promised, Is nothing less
than rspadia,lon, bare, naked and un-
justifabls.
And on this Issue the Republican
and Democratic parties stand today
precisely as did the old Wing party In
relation to the slavery question. AS
parties neither seems to have the u
ace to face the questions OF tho hour.
As parties they dare not or cannot
yrapple with them. The brains OF
both Houses Of Congress arc against
Imitation. aud In favor Of keepin. both
party and national pledges sac.e.ly,
but the votes Of the West aud South
arc against them. Both parties are
pledged by their last platforms to the
same policy upon this subject, that OF
honestly paying the debt represented
by United States Treasury notes, while
in Congress tue members OF each party
regard the pledges given In those plat
forms Just rs they regard tho green
back promises issued in the national
nams-promises that may be cireu.
lated among the people, but need not
be redeemed. We are OF those who
believe that the honor Of the nation
and the keeping OF It's plightcd faith
arc above all men or parties, and
when mn issue comes which Involves
the sacrifice OF national integrity, the
reputation OF Its pledges, to say moth
Ing Of those made by any political par
ty, we stand with those, who, to main
tain the credit Of our Government aud
to enforce fnlfllmcnt OF its promises,
will look above all party organlza-
tions or traditions, aud labor for the
national well being.
1t Is easier not to pay than to pay,
aud this appears to be the main argu-
ment Of those who are trying to force
the Government into not only theoret-
ical but practical population. The
first step toward population Is 20 put
OF resumption. The first step to re-
tard resumption Is to issue more paper
promises. That done the rest follows.
The country Is not unfamiliar with
the theory urged strenuously oy many
who are now rampant inilatlonists,
that Government bonds should be re.
deemed In grsenbacks, although
pledged to be paid In gold. The same
want Of moral perception which repu-
dates redemption of g~reenbacks will
revive this dangerous doctrine which
ais not dead but slsepeth," and the
old cry that "the money Of the people
Is coed enough for the bondholders,"
will be heard resembling yer the
land. And not aloae will It DO heard
In this country but In those nations OF
Europe, which, In times Of national
peril, having faith in and sympathy
for US as a people. took our promissory
notes aud gave u gold therefor.
Six years ago when Hugh McCul-
loch was Secretary OF the Treasury
the policy Of gradual contraction and
speedy resumption was adopted. In
a little more than a year Sti.0Oo,OOO
OF grcenbacks were retired and the
country was so much nearer specie pay
ments. II was a fatal mistake when,
by an action Of the House. this policy
was discontinued. Far seeing men
then took the ground that there was
no such a thing as standing still apon
this question ; that the nation must
either advance toward resumption or
retrace It's steps toward tho other ex-
tremc. They said that when the first
pressure came, imitation would be the
result. The pressure came and the
first step has been taken. Should the
President approve this bill now before
him. there will be no. only the stt,-
DOC. 900 Of g~reenbacks, but an adj
di,ional 81, O00, 900 OF national bank
notes flung out upon the country. The
value Of the ereenback will DO re-
duced; resumption retarded; the
credit OF the Government impaired /;
the pledges OF both parties brOSfn;
the newly Issued currency will -
heretofore seek the trade csntcrs OF
the country, and next Winter the
stste.menI.l OF the West will howl n,
now for more money. Being la the MA
jsrity they may get it. The national
dollar will then become what IL was
claimed TO be BY Copperheads In 1868
IA cheat-a printed lie.