The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-08-10

interest they can draw Tor an 1mmeulale
investment Of their money. But these
are not for the interests OF the people OF
this country. Neither honor nor justice
requires such administration Of the pub
lie debt of this country.
feel. therefore, constrained by every
principle of honor and love tor my coun-
try, to come forward at an advanced age.
and with mind that would gladly seek
repose, after the toll of a long and
borious life, to answer the call OF por>
ton OF my countrymen, to try these lss
sues before the people OF the whole coun>
try to tests these truths which we hold
to be as self evident, as soon as they are
honestly examined, as are the truths OF
the Declaration OF Independence. One
OF the chief Of these truths is that all
rightful Governments are made tor the
people and by the people; they must be
administered with parental care IN the
interests of the whole people and not tor
class. No single interest touches the
domestic comfort and prosperity OF the
people as this one of the currency; and
in the present condition Of the country;
none is of so much immediate impor
lance, or calls for more immediate solu-
ton 70 pnt off this question, therefore
with vague expression OF reform. and
the disturbances of ''specie payments
is to ignore the ruling interest OF the
hour. 1t is to surrender the people to
their sutferings without any promise OF
remedy.
| appeal, therefore, from those who
seem insensible to the cry OF the people
to the people themselves. l appeal
from the political parties, organized to
control the Government, and distribute
the offices and emoluments of office, to
the great industrial classes who are or
ganized to protect their interests and OBJ
tain some recognition Of their rights from
the Government of the country. Let
them substitute cooperation for'' strikes, =
and unite to save themselves and the
country, from the present disaster and
distress to all the industrial classes. Let
no man think of the bullet while he has
the ballot in his hand. 1t needs but the
use of that simple instrument OF political
power to rectify all our discontents and
| social evils.
Let US have our national currency duly
honored; let us take the testimony OF
the nations experience, and that OF other
countries, as to what such a currency can
do for our prosperity; let the gold par
be reached by rendering our currency o
higher and indispensable use. as nov
exemplited in France, and not by con
tracing its amount; and let its volum,
and its value be determined by the inter
convertible bond, placed at the dispose
: OF the wants OF the people and governed
, by all the forms and sanctities of law
and not surrender the currency to tn
: ever-changing basis of a commodity Xix
t gold-and we shall have peace on thi
e question; '.justice will be established
and the general welfare promoted" pros
+ perity, again, will revisit US, and W
: shall vindicate the wisdom and superior
g ity of our free institutions before tn
5 world.
\ France, with her 600 .OOo,OOO of legs
!. paper, has kept her industries profitaol
: employed by keeping her paper receiy
: able tor all forms OF taxes duties an
| debts.
+ My views upon the currency | hav
: heretofore briefly expressed as follows
/ The worth or exchangeable value
e gold is as uncertain rs other products
n The exchangeable value OF anything dc
i ponds on its conyertibility into someihin
# else that has value at the option of ii
5 individual. This rule applies to pap,
IS money as to anything else. But no
G shall Government give an exchangeabl
It value TO 4 paper currency Can it
It done by a standard which is beyond i
J. control and which naturally fluctuate
It while the sign of exchange indicated b
II the paper remains the same2
n This is the unsound theory whic
r possesses the minds OF our people and ,
0 our politicians.
r We must cut loose from this unreasoi
able theory, or we shall be subject. Il
, all time. to these periodic disturoanc,
e OF our currency which bring such wild
|. spread ruin and distress to our CONNIE
il cial industries. and work. on the part
: the Government, positive and cruel in
r justice. The remedy seems to me to b
d very plain.
= First.-We must put this whole powt
1t of coming money or issuing currency,
y Thomas jefferson says, where, by ii
I Constitution. it properly belongs'-el
c tirely into the hands OF our Government
o That Government is a Republic. hence
e is under the control of the people. Co
II porations and States have hitherto,
some form or other. divided this pow.
with the government. Hence come til
It embarrassment and the fluctuations, d
of may be easily shown.
If But now we must trust our geyerr
} ment with this whole function OF provid
l. ing the standards and measures OF e,
n change, as we trust it with the weigh
= and measures Of trade. So far fror
< putting the people in the power OF on
e government and At the caprice OF partie
ia power. | contend j. will bring th
II Government more under control OF II
o people and give check to mere part
J. rule. For the more stake the Poop
!. have in the wisdom and honesty OF tt
4 government, the more watchful and fri
. they will be in is control.
I'll Secondiy.-We must require th
: government to make this currency,
II all times and ut the OntIna d: the !,