The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-04-23
THE oUESTIoN.

NEW BALTIMORE, O., April, 1854.
Mr.. McGREaoR-Sir:-I am not much
of a writer as you are aware; but as an old
friend l propose to say some more about
the currency question. Now, / always I'M
derstood that the Democratic principle was
to deal with living questions for the bene-
fit of the many, subject to the Constitution
1t Is true, Democrats ruled this country
the greater part of its existence down to
1861; We had always a paper currency,
though none so good as our ~greenbaaks or
legal tenders, Thus it will be seen that
the Democratic party, in fact, has always
been committed TO a paper currency. All
parties then are committed to a paper cur
rency. We have had it under the rule Of
all parties; and, indeed, short will be the
rule of any party in the future who will
attempt to destroy 8 good sound paper
currency, or rather deny it. Such being
the fact the question resolves itself into
this: Who shall give US this currenoy7 |
say, and the people say, the General Gov
eminent. But some say it has not the
right. But who has if the Government
has not2 Does not Congressional law at
tach Constitutional value TO q bill or a
piece of paper2 1t certainly does to a
bond, a postage stamp, a revenue stamp, as
much as to our nickel, copper, silver, or
gold coins. No one would doubt the con-
%sIfTuttouat right of q Congress to take hall
the weight Of a gold dollar and stamp it a
dollar. Gold is not money in itself. Tits
only used to make money from, Steel
could be used as well as gold, silver, nickel,
or copper, if the authoritative stamp OF
the Government was on. Why, then, not
use copper which is harder to counterfeit
than most metals2 Then as regards pol
icy-should Democrats get in power. re-
] sumo specie payment, and forbid a paper
currency the next election would sweep
them from power from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. Where then would be the chance
for the Democracy to benefit the many 2
Then we would have corruption, initiation,
sudden changes, etc. which are always the
means by which the few rob themSny, l
assure you, that if the issue was brought
before the people-nothlDg but hard mon
ey, the Democracy would not be able to get
half its vote out, for they know too well it
would mean rum to many q household;
and here let me say, thai / consider my
self a good Democrat, have voted that
ticket at every election for twenty-one
years; but I do not intend hat my De-
mocracy or patriotism shall rob me and
my famlIy-frst, myself; next, my God,
and then my country. l shall, therefore,
oppose any mar, measure or party that
seeks to rob the country of our adequate
supply Of currency.
Yours, DC, J.. B. NJ.
We cheerfnlly give place to the torego-
ing letter from a most noble and worthy
Democratic friend. The underlying pr1p-
ciple of the Democratic, creed is JUSTICE.
Jefferson said, Equal and exact Justice to
all men. The Const tuition of the United
States was formed to Establish justice"-
not robbery. Now, all that need be said
on the greenback question il, that they
are irredeemable, and hence in the markets
of the world, at home, too, are 6eIOto par.
Why, the Government itself refuses to re-
them at all for import duties, unless,
of course, at gold ratesl We are utterly
astonished that any Democrat is so blind
as to praise and defend such a system of
Democracy is honesty not rob-
bery-justice. not injustice. n
Our friend should know that the Demo-
cratic party of the United States had
control Of the General Government, and
claimed to carry on its affairs IN &C
,ordanee with the Constitution; and his
tory shows that the party were quite sue
in SO doing. The party is in no
way responsible for the f%ollies, wildcat
schemes, &c, similar to the greenback
that were adopted by the State
through the agency of de-
and bad men. No such schemes
If robbery lie at the door ofthe Democratic
party of the United States
As to the Democracy being able to con-
luot the U. s. Government in the future,
when they shall come into power, we are
lot disposed to borrow trouble. When,
possibly, in the remote future, our party
hall get into power, we doubt not, the
Constitution will be the guide as formerly
md honesty will be the rule. /
Government cannot add to, or diminish,
he value of gold or silver. Like any
'ther commodity in the markets of the
they range in value according to
circumstances. Unlike most articles, how
iver, they are not subject to sudden in
rease or neutrality-suspicious. and con-
raction-and hence, from time immeno-
ial the metals have been used as measures
fYalue. As bullion they are bought and
old by weight. When nodded and
as coin, the value is not changed
-only marked by authority-that is all.
currency contains not one of these
essential elements of value, If paper rep
'esents bona fde value and is convertible, |
t may to a certain extent be a convent
,nce-but if a paper currency, irredeema
,le and deprecated in value, is forced
lpon a people, it is only a blighting curse
lpon business and labor; and the grand
male of disaster is only a question oftime
Panic after panic, and growing uncertainty
nd instability will coma as ~premOnitory
ymptoms. History has repeatedly dem
,nstrated all we have said-but mankind
eldom learn from the experience Of others
Hence history is continually repeating
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