Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-05-13

and we yourselves touch not the bur-
dens with one of your fingers" Elec-
trifying truth, reaching down from the
early history of man to the present
time, as almost all Of mankind can tes-
tify. Nay, they touch not for relief,
even in their capacity as statesmen.
The wall of the people all over our land
is going up in piteous cry for relief
from the monetary oppression, and con-
sequent business stasnation, which has
Frustrated our industries, and is beg
gering thousands of our people.
Yet they touch not, but with stole
Indifference, they chant to you the siren
song of the money god, overproduction!
In what way could you more effectual-
ly bring about overproduction, than by
first destroying the ability 20 consumed
Is not this the case now? Men for
the want of remunerative employment
cannot obtain money, wherewith to buy
so as to consume. Let US try them
with their own theory, make an over
production of money and thereby cheap
en- 1t. Ill guarantee you will increase
consumption, and set to work the
thousands of idlers who now intest our
highways. Why should there be this
vast representative disparity, Are you
willing to admit that you have not men
capable of attending to your interests
and your business in our representative
bodies? What does the present condi-
ton of our country, morally and fnan-
cially argue' Is it not apparent that We
need a change of class as well as of
party to govern! The agriculturalists
are free from the faint of corruption,
and as / have said before, their numeri-
cal strength and their burihen Of Tara
ton entitle them to large portion of
representation, and in justice to them
selves they should make bold to claim
it. In justification of the above posi-
ton, | have selected statement made
of the assessed value of lands in Ohio,
which is $699SI5.73l, and that of other
real estate in the towns and cities OF
the same state which amounts to $342.-
94S.2OO.
BY this comparative statement, it is
shown that, the value GLANDS is double
that of town and city property in the
State of Ohio, which it is presumed is a
fair representative, because of its numer-
Gus towns and cities, and medium yalu-
alton of its lands.
1t may be regarded arrogant, but |
assert it, as an honest conviction, that
the present critical and scathing investi-
cations going on in our legislative bod
les, have been greatly stimulated by the
code of principles enunciated by our Or
der. There is nothing which effects the
sensibili,ies and vitalizes the politician
more readily than the announcement of
some mammoth organization. They
soon begin to cast about inquiringly,
and with apparent great solicitude. as
to its aims, objects, wants, DC. The
sufferer should be on the lockout
for his physician. The greatest sufferers
from the present stagnant condition OF
trade are the farmer and laborer. Do
you ask my reasons for the assertion |
will briefly state them. First, the far
mer's products are exclusive in kind, bull
ky, unwieldy and not well adapted to a
system of barter; he is therefore forced,
in disposing of them to receive the cur
rent medium of exchange money, which
has by adroit and villainous legislation
been made an absorbant, in this way.
1t is issued upon the faith or pledge of
the Bonds of the United States, which
bond is worth in the markets of the
world premium in gold, yet this mon
ey is per force of corrupt legislation de-
preciated to fifteen per cent below gold,
which is very falsely set up as stan
dard of value-but the farmers and la
borers are obliged to accept this depre-
ciated money in exchange for their pro-
ducts and services. Can the farmers
sustain themselves against such fearful
odds, when their lands are only estima-
ted to pay about 3 l-2 per cent. Some
will tell us, that we must adopt specie
or gold exchange; how perfectly absurd!
Where is it to come from ? We have
not only our agricultural products, but
the products of our MINES, manufncfo-
r,es, and fisheries TO provide for, the ex-
change for which requires the enormous
sum of S6,943,559,6l6 annually, while
the estimated amount of specie is only
Sl67,6l4, 500. Thus we are invited TO
an impossibility, or all attempt is made
to hocdwink us. 1t is time We
should look realities in the face, and
discard shameless theory. We know
that we are putting forth more labor,
and exercising more economy, in cult
waiting the same land than we ever did
before, still we are oppressed. There
must be cause, and that cause, 1t is ev-
ideut to my mind exists partly in this
third party or middle man in our ex-
change, viz: money. We all know the
uncontroverted fact that monty IS COM
manding higher pay for its service than
either land or labor, therefore it is and
will continue to absorb our land, unless
it is cheapened. This can be done in
two ways, first, by Congress passing a
law fixing low rate of interest for the
hire of money, and making it uniform
throughout the United States;this would
secure its circulation, and prevent local
contraction, or its importation from one
State to another with view of extort-
ing upon the necessities of the needy.
Secondly, by increasing the volume OF
currency, if found necessary for the
encouragement of active and healthy
trade. Justice also requires that all