The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-20
The Silver Question.

We believe that upon one point there is
almost unanimity in the public opinion
upon the silver question, if we leave out
the money-deale1s and gold-worshippers
This point is that silver shall be remone-
tized at its proper value, that value to be
settled according to facts and to che best au-
thorities. We have met with few people
who are not ready to approve the restora-
ton OF silver as part Of the specie basis OF
the land upon this just principle. From
that position it was displaced by an arrant
and outrageous fraud. To that position 1T
should be restored, and 80 restored upon
just basis. ..r ".
That the relative value OF gold and silver
may at times be disturbed by their unequal
production experience has proved. But
this disturbance has been never great, and
in time it has generally been soon re-
moved. The greatest disturbance that has
happened in this country has been from the
sudden and surprising excess OF tue pro-
duction Of gold That disturbance our Gov
eminent tried to obviate by reducing the
value of the silver dollar, whereas had that
attempt not been made the disturbance
would have been naturally obviated. The
natural distribution OF the two precious
metals near the earth's surface has been
astonishingly regular in all parts OF the
earth that have been mined; SO that in all
ages there has appeared wonderful sta
bility in their relative value. There is no
good reason for excluding either from the
paper basis. 1870 !.
:. silver is IN admirable medium OF ex-
change in all retail business. 1t is essen
tally coin for the people, and answers en-
tirely the wants of the public, whileitkeeps
out Of circulation the small paper currency
that has in time not only been source OF
ANNOYANCE and disgust, but the cause OF the
loss of millions upon millions OF the hard
earnings OF the people. Silver can never do
harm to the country. The dealers in bonds
and the holders thereof are merely hypo-
critical in their exaggerated predictions
about the effects OF remonetizing silver.
They will get their gold interest as though
silver never was, and their bonds will in no
sort be impaired in value by silver. Silver
will keep its place as practical and active
medium OF exchange for all retail business,
while it will facilitate domestic economy and
those enterprises and industries which must
give to the country its chief activity and
thrift and happiness. Gold is the carpet
knight Of financial heroism. Silver will be
the brave and daring and hardy soldier in
the field, always winning for the country
security, peace, and contentment.
This country has too well known the
value Of silver in its domestic economy it
too well knows the magnitude Of the in
terest the people have in silver from the
rich mines OF it that are found in our mine
raj regions to rule it out OF financial consid-
Grafton as part Of the money-basis of the
country, The nation cannot afford to de-
priye itself Of the energizing power OF sill
yer. 1t would be suicidal to do So. Its re-
monetization would make resumption easy
and settle two questions at onee--the silver
question and resumption. It would give
as more peace, and do more than ANYTHING
else to animate the internal economy and
inspire thrifty condition Of those indus
tries which, after all, are the heart and soul
Ola nation, whatever gold has to say aboutit.