Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-07
The u,rcncy-Message OF Gov. Dix.

ALBANY, April 7.-Gov Dix, in message
TO the Legislature to-day says L deem IL
due 10 the interest and houor of the State to
call upon you, as It's chosen representatives, 10
take into consideration the propositions before
Congress Ia regard to the currency. Though yet
immature aud requiring the concurrent action
of both houses to give them the validity OF law,
they have, nevertheless received 10 each such
partial sanction as to excite serious alarm DIS u
the result. lu my annual message III january
last expressed the earnest hope that the pap,
er circulation issued by the government would
be curtailed, and that carly steps would be
taken 10 resume specie payments. L did not
anticipate that SO extraordinary proposition
of luhatlug the currency by adding 10 the out
standing galtunier notes or by authorizing
further issue OF national bauk paper would De
seriously made. ln view OF the purpose which
has been indicated to enlarge the volume OF
paper OF both descriptions and to repudate all
attempts TO re-estabiish the standard OF specie,
policy as sincerely believe, iraught with
widespread rum 10 the Industry Uf the
country aud with imminent danger TO It's
credit, | invoke your iuerpo>iiou to con-
tribute all in your power to prevent Its
adoption. Your opinion, representing as
you do, more largely than the legislature
of any other State, the hnancal and CONNER
cial Interests oil the Union, should carry with 1t
great weight. The Hlgrau lDj ustlce oi the pro-
posed measure will ue norc apparent when you
consider that, If adopted without repeating the
legal tender act, the results will be not ouly 10
deprecatc the paper currency still lurtner, but
to compel lis ascc ptauce in the payment Of the
debt, thus openly violating the Solcmuly pro-
claimed pledge Of the government five years
ago to reicem its nutcs III specie at the earliest
practicable period, lmpalrlus the obligation vi
the contract and consummutlug what the con-
sti,ulon prohibits 10 the States as au act oil
moral aud political turpltudc. 10 degrade the
currency and at the same tlme To compel the
people to receive 1t as equivalent TO specie would
be the most tyrannlcal exercise and abuse CT d
naucial power of which the government has
ever been guilty 10 time OF peace. Ii differs
in no eSScntla! respec:, either under It's moran
or its practical effect, trom degradation OF the
standard of specie by al adulteatlOn OF the ua-
tioual COIN Five years ago the sense OF rectl-
tude would have revoltcd at the suggestion Of
such an act of pcridy, but persistence in
wrong anu injustice rarely fail TO recoucllc fur
thcr wrong, to the thought nrst aud to The pur-
pose afterwards If spurung away ali teach
ings of history and trampllug under foot all
maxirus OF political justice We adopt policy
as fraudulent as it Is demoraIlzlug, our sue
ccssors will look back on our Conduct With hu'
initiation and shame The millions OF depre-
caed and irredeemabIe paper, II Issued as pro-
posed, will by law of distribution which no
human power can control, be poured into the
city of New York to uphold and stimulate stock
gam bling, to gut the channels OF indus
try, embarrass all houest transactionss OF
business, TO cause reactions lu the various
departments of labor by which the working
classes are thrown out of employment, and TO
shake to its foundation the fabric OF the public
credit. Against the introduction OF such an
instrument Of dishonor and calumny we should
enter our solemn protest as we would against
any other food Of contamination. speak with
clear understanding Of the force OF my words.
| believe and trust you will concur with me IN
the opinion that the emergency demands the
plaiuest aud most emphatic language.
therefore recommend such expression on
your part as may comport with the dignity OF
tue legislature aud as you may deem due TO
the interests Of your constituents l am not
without the hope that timely declaration OF
your views, to be presented to Congress through
the Senators and Representatives from this
State, may arrest the torrent Of disgrace aud
disaster with which the country Is threatened
from this source IF your protests and warn
ings are UNDECIDED, you will have the consola-
ton OF rejecting, when the evil comes upon as,
that 10 effort on your part has been spared to
avert it. (Signed. JOHN 4. DlX.
Foreign News.