New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-15
THE ADDRESS AND TIE HEARERS.

An audience of good size, and largely com
posed OF ladies'. last evening listened to Benjamin f.
Buffers address the subject OF " Finance" At
o'clock the large hall of the Cooper Institute was about
half filled but as the evening advanced the audience
gradually increased until the about two-thrds
full and all the desirable seats had been taken 1t was
largely gcenback' audience. as was apparent from
the applause expressing approval OF the speakers
views but great portion of those present had been
attracted by desire to the statesman OF Essex
who has played largo part in the politics OF the day
The address given under the auspices OF the Board
of Trade and George Opdykc, President OF that or
s7nization. made the introductory address
Mt Buffers appearance at the front OF the platform
ssgreeted with applause As he made his bow he was
ourously scanned by his audience, and comments
on his appearance ran rapidly through the house
Mr.. Butler probably never appeared better than he
did last evening In full dress with bouquet OF flowers
in the buttOnhoe of mis- coat air Of COINCIDENCE and
resolution ard an apparent determination to bury the
arguments OF the buliouiSts" beyond resurrection,
Mr. Butler calmly awaited the applause to subsdc
His speech read from elaborate sheets OF mani
fold paper which he held close TO his eyes as fire.
ouently obscure his fee His voice was powerful.
but not always clear in his haste to speak rapidly the
words frequently into each other so as to com
pei a repetition OF them. Mr.. Butler was listened to with
attention by the audience his and filings at capt.
taists and hardmOncy elciting laughter and APP
plause expressions Of sympathy for the working
man end the poor and oppressed OF the land were
warmly received Referring to the condition OF trade In
this country he said that not true that " over
production" the cause Of the pres
ept difficulties, hut rather "under-consnmption."
THIS the audience regarded a new idea,
snd sgni1ed their approval by applause. lie
announced himself advocate OF dollar OF fixed
and value to be issued only by the Government
He declared himself in favor Of the 800 convertible bond
system and ridcued tho honest money" system, as he
termed the d" bullion theory"
the conclusion of Mr.. Buffers address, Peter Cooper
arose proposed vote Of thanks, which was adopted
unanimously. Some person in the audience proposed
three cheers for Benjamin L. Butler" and about one
half OF the gentlemen present Joined in the cheer
ing Another gentleman the platform proposed three
cheers for the Peoples GreenbacK and these were given
with considerable emphasis The audience then dis
persed MI Butler remaining on the platform short
time to receive the greetings OF the persons who pressed
forward to talk with him. Among those who were on the
platform wore Peter Cooper William sturgis Pliny
Freeman Miguel Embn W. p. Groom Samuel Leav-
it, BENJAMIN Urner. j. G. Drew. Alexander Troup,
sydney Myers. James buchanan, George Haltoma.
william g. Thomas. Franklin Holmes, DR. Parker, Wilson
Watson, John Even. jrr II. Herman, William 7. Norris,
James d. Smith, Paul Lichtensteil, T. Warburg, H0rauo
c. King A. GilksOn, C. CrOnkhite. Marvin T. Reed and
J. O. Blake.
The following includes the interesting parts Of
Mr.. Buffers address;
1t will he admitted that it is the duty OF the Govern
provide u uniform currency. Nhat Is tBaIf a
standard Of value to which all transactions OF trade ana
be referred, ncItun tilc pay
Of all minor dealings of the people with each other
for the currency Of country IN It's actual use IN pay
business has for its currency the checkboOk the bill OF
exchange draft prOmissory note books ana ledger OF
Ii seems incorrect to that the volume OF cur
rency has effect as measure OF value me use c o
fact by which the values of al transactions may pe
measured The unit of vaue-the curreney-shOuld DC
uniform for the convenience and protection only OF ne
community that makes their bargains IN reference 10 ~
and as each nation OF the world has different standard
Of when contracts are maze DtINccn euDttS VI
different nations. the GOVcInncns OF each mas no uuy
and called upOn to perform none in reference 10 cur
any control over the standard Of value OF another the
contracting parties when citizens OF different nations
may well left TO make their contracts according 10
Coined gold and silver has ever been the handmade OF
despotism; the prop OF monaIch'cai Pnwer dho su'
porter thrones the uPhOlder OF nODes ana priest
hoods the engine by which the PRIVILEGES and preten-
soDs aristocrats have always been sustained IN tramp
linz down the rights, devOuring the substance, and
absorbing the unrequed abors OF the masses through
L. the few 10 cnsye the labor many for the bcne
1T Of princes and mobiles and It's Use mas been the Dauge
Of serYitude OF all peoples to some KING or tfant
AMERICAN TINANCFS DURING THE WAR.
In 1851 when the war OF the rebellion had scarcely
tegm-whcn the people OF the country, inspired by
patriotism only coming forward without the olcf
any bountes to join armies in such numbers that
the Chairman OF the Committee OF Military Affairs in the
Senate recommended that recruiting should DC stopped
Iest we shond have too many men-when the Govern
ment, 20 successfully carry on the war; needed Ohy
money 10 pay the troops and purchase suplles5wneh
our money was prOmissOry notes OF banks based upon
gold and silver, which they promised to pay on deinand
and which claimed 10 be instantly cOhNefunle nto
gold-wben We had that system Of hard money which
now by legislative enactment ha sG Sd that 5S Dc h Sg
money" which is held by me nui,iPhis s
the banks suspended payment thus acknowledging Them
selves insOyent refused 70 loan any money to the GOV
Of and threeenlls per cent, ana the " nara
money" and honest money all became iLiedefInabiS
promises IF broken banks Wl1ch
boarded gold their vaults or invested IT abroad in
sterling exchange. Both the people and the Government
dircst thus eit 10 thclr own
financial resources 10 carry on NE war ahu
bankers or their " honest" % money. This was
the first result OF financial system which Is now
money" but which failed like q broken reed at the
ment when i could be OF use 10 the country. 80.
and the throwing overheard by the nation of the money
based specie business everywhere Sprang into most
active o commerce revived NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Ine Iear
OF the cruisers OF the enemy; property advanced III
employed prohtably that soon It required enormous
bounues 10 draw them from their money making
that date there were no financial revulsions, nor
business pauics IN the country, but on the con
prOductiyeness of values IN all departments ot1ndury
which had parallel in the history OF the country
am quiet conscious that the endeavOr 10 answer this
VIII DO that this prosperity was tne aoa o. ' cue Ss
hungry: pork was fattened sustain the army cloth
Wa, made ~ the naked and uniform our soldiers
houses were built TO shelter the workmen rents were
paid so that the landlord could spend his Summer at
Saratoga or buy subs ue soldier Tor ms son and save
his precious life Was that initiation in prices
Ships built and sailed manufactures and work,
shops at double speed, the w0rknch wen pad
and well fed and children sent 10 school to be taught
their duties citizens Was that fictitious value I'M
migrants poured into the country almost by the millions
Notwithstanding the fear Of cOnscrptiOn each OF whom
producer Of almost priceless beneht TO our un0c
cupied lands Railroads built by the thousand
miles. spanning the continent; debts were paid mort
cages cancelled system OF cash inents osdD-
lisbed, instead OF long credits which too often
ruin 10 both buyer and seller. All these were
al actual increase OF the wealth Of the nation which no
change the finances values, can ever take away
from the country although may be taken from the men
who IL and given 10 the capitalist the mortgage,
and the banker, making the rich richer and the poor