The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-16
Ricltuolld nlspattls.
16. 1871.
The Silver Question.

The Silver Question.
We publish this morning an essay by one
OF our citizens Colonel II. c. CABELL) upon
the decentralization OF silver that presents
some sound reasons to show why silver
should constitute a part OF the basis upon
which the paper medium Of the country
shall rest. Our readers know we'll the posi-
ton the Dispatch has upon this subject
consistently maintained for years. II Con.
yress should TAI, to rcmonetize silver 1t VIII
fail in most important duty to the natioa'
It is the interest OF the nation ana OF every
class Of citizens that the basis OF the circu-
.atins medium should be as wide as posi-
BILE. and that that basis should be sound and
lawful. To deprive this medium perma-
uentlv Of the support OF silver would be 10
cripple its usefulness and to curta'l the en-
orgies and productive forces OF the country
very greatly. Indeed, it would he to con-
tinue the public depression and industrial
poverty and shacklc the enterprise ana spirit
OF the land.
act that excluded it from finance rs OASIS
OF rapcr was hurricdly and without proper
delibcration passed. 1t seemed to haTe sue
ceeded by default. and now the -puolic
necessities and embarrassment show PLAIN
" what injury has been caused by that act,
and point to the remedy that is needed 1or
the relief OF the country. Silver should be
restored to its proper place. congress
should rearrange the relative value OF solo
and silver, which has been disturbed by the
UNEQUAL increase Of the two metals. Mr..
HUNTERS measure that reduced the amour,
OF silver to the dollar) will now have to DC
repealed. Were the old standards restored
tbe relations between the metals would now
be about just.
While the precious metals are chiefly to be
looked upon as the basis OF circuiatlon-the
representative OF valuc-they must enter
themselves largely into circulation-the
gold for the rich, the silver for the poor.
The necessities OF the daily life Of the labor
inc classes can hardly ever require anything
else than silver, and we all remember how
admirably that metal formerly met the re-
ouirements OF the retail dealings in the sup
plies for this class. This agent entirely re-
lieyed people in spccic-payinS times OF the
abominab!e shinplasters with which every
suspension filled the land. For the protec-
tion the poorer classes from this kind OF
uaper silver is Il necessity rs much so Is Il
gold for the rich. The two metals are har-
monious and mutually advantageous.
We were quite gratitied nj the spirit snd
tone of Senator CoSELlNG's speech 1T home,
especially the Amcricanism CT 1t. The
..f,,rthcr he went abroad" he said, 'lt
seemed that there was no country ike
America" and the more ne became - home
sick" That is it; and we should take care
that America shall maintain the pecullarlty
Of her character, OF her energy. ami OF hef
popular liberty and equality. We should
avoid any measure that may clip the wings
OF that energy or dampen the ardor OF that
enterprise which liberty and equality have set
free. To ignore siiverin the national medium
of exchange would do this very thing. 1t
would rob America OF grand advantage
secured to her by her rich mines that are
increasing constantly the national power by
reason OF the very precious metal which has
been 80 unwisely demonetized. Whyshould
we by following the old governments in
this measure lessen the distinction which
has made that difference between our coun-
try and theirs-this difference which i'm
parted to Mr.. CoSKLlfe the pleasure he de-
scribes, and also inspired in his bosom the
longing which he felt for home:
To exclude silver from the place Of money
would, worst Of all, be infcting the genius
and glowing spirit Of adventure OF the land
with paralysis. America must encourage
her hope OF the future. She cannot exclude
from her expectations that inevitable thing
in the progress OF all rising nations-ex-
pansion. 1t would be the worst folly OF
craftsmanship to impair the force for the
achievement of that which is, as all must see,
inevitable. No. Let America continue her
distinctive traits-let her maintain measures
that should be adapted to her peculiar con-
dition and the surrounding circumstances
that must affect her future. That states
manship which carves out policies that tend
to deprive her OF the force that is born OF
the earth, is ditfused by the waters, inspired
by the scenes, and engendercd by the airs
we breathe, would be treacherous states
manship. 1t would tend to withhold from
our people the benefcence and greatness
fhat nature has offered them. and deprive
this country OF the position among nations
to which it is entitled.