Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-10-30
? NEW SERIES, VOL. XII, NO. Al.

consisting anu constituted OF aSElCUltuies
manufactures, commerce, arts, scieuces-in
a word, all producing powers aud their pro-
dUctiohs--and all the different elements that
constitute one body, aud have, therefore, one
common and identical iuterest-are deeply
interested in the welfare of their co>members
of common body, and in reducing to sub
jeotion their rebellious slave, money, that has
broken loose from his masters, and is now
making his onslaught upon them all, without
Discrimination. This same gigantic and op-
pressivo power, Chat can bring railroad ern>
ployees to starvation and revolution; can and
does anuihiate the value of railroad stocks,
and put them into the hands of receivers
can and has sunk the tslue oc all real estate,
until it iusoleutly insists upon taking posses
sion at its own price, and working its owners
as tenants to pay any balance of the decree
or mortgage; it can and has ruined the
mine, the furnace, the anvil, the loom
turned operatives into trarnps, and would ut
terly stop the plow, too, but chat in that op-
GRAFTON it would, like the old personation of
bulliondom, Midas. como to its own death by
starvation, in turning all that it touched
into gold, by resumption" ig a'i'aai2
1t is, then, an imperious necessity to force
this power to its proper place, confne it to
its proper funtions, and like steam or any
other lawless power, fitted to be slave but
not a master, we must "harness it down with
iron bands, ;" and make "surc of our curb and
rein." Such power the great Executive
power of money, cannot be entrusted any
longer to the hands of individuals or corpora
tions. 1t must be restored TO the hands of
the people who created and own il ; for they
alone can control it, and on the plano of Fl
nancial equality, make it equally accessible
and useful to all. When this is accomplished, i,
and think the plan of Mr. Comstock will
accomplish it, all capital whatever, whether
active or accumulated, will have equal chances
both 10 producing and exchanging, aud, just
as it chooses, may work single or double; By
itself and for itself alone, or jointly aud in
CO operation with others for financial equal
ity will afford this choice, and, besides, will
overthrow this false, pestlcnt, aud woe work.
ing principle of competition" which in all
ages, aud since the day OF the first murderer,
Cain, who first introduced it and put it into
practice, has been the solo fountain of pow
erty, ignorance, crime, bloodshed, anarchy,
and revolution. Competitor The railroads
have trid it !; the banks have tried it ; the
world has tried it and 10! tho condition Of
the experimentors 1t surreuders the boun>
ties of God, to the strongest and the sharpest,
to force and to fraud In conclusion, gen
tlCLDen, let me say, that IN oOuy anu souI L
am with you and the Greenback party in this
great and indispensable movement for cur
rency reform and will be ever ready to CO.
operate with you to the extent of my ability.
Congress will be forced to meet this issue be-
tween the people demanding the return of
thei. sovereign money power to their own
custody, and the faithless corporations who
are embodied to resist it. Every member of
Congress will be compelled to take one side
or the other. There can be no dodging or
compromise upon such a question new
and great party will be born from all this
turmoil and confusion; the people will
triumph over the mere spoi!smen of both
the old parties, whose leaders are utterly sell
fish and destitute of patriotism, and with
such currency as may be inaugurated, even
beyond Venice and France, which have both
tested the soundness of our principles, VIC
may give practical lesson in political econ
omy that will not only benefit ard bless our
country, but the world. With ardent wishes
for the wisdom and success of your council, "
am most truly and respectfully yours, &C.,
JSO. a THOMSON