The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-02

frequent occurrence, and we know of no
subject more abused in that respect than
the money question.
The public ear is perfectly familiar with
the phrases, rag,baby, greenbacker, infa-
ZIONIST and similar terms on the one hand,
and hard-money, gold bugs, bloated bono
holder, and like names on the other, none
of which are sufficiently precise to convey
distinctive and properly defined idea.
They are for the most part used in an in
definite Fense, and generally as terms Of
reproach or for partizan effect.
There is no occasion to be frightened at
name, nor any necessity to follow blindly
in the footsteps Of would-be leaders, no
matter how insulting the former may be,
or how pretentious the latter.
1t matters little how venerable the
Fathers or their dollar" may be if
their action and legislation are not adapted
to the necessities of the present age, and 1t
is equally vain and futile to insist upon
innovation merely for the purpose of show
ing contempt for conservation and dis
regard of old authorities and long estab
tablished opinions.
1t is quite the rage in certain quarters,
without any regard to the stringent pres
sure of the times, or any apparent atten-
ton to the fact of multitudes being out of
employment through no Immediate fault of
theirs, to insist upon gold standard, and a
specie resumption in the immediate future,
and to charge all who are not eagerly in
favor of contraction and a gold standard as
being iufationists. Calling hard names
is of no earthly consequences but weary
dearth of money in laboring mems pockets
is q matter of radical and vital Importance.
fit is so nominated 10 the bond" that
certain indebtedness Of the country shall
be paid in gold, we say let it be so paid
if in coin, then let it be so paid, and let the
government provide for the payment Of its
indebtedness in that which will produce
the least hardship, keeping within the
limits of Legitimate legislation and constitu.
tional authority. The Fathers" consider.
cd aud provided for the exigencies and
wants of their times, and let us do the
same for ours. In regard to the SILVER
question" so called, We quote approvingly
from the st. Louis Republican, and pre-
sent it to our readers for their careful con
sideratlon:-
Its well to keep up with the expression
of western opinion on the silver question
The Iowa Republicans in their state con
vention on the 9th, resolved that 'th
silver dollar. having been a legal unit o
: value from the foundation of the fedora
, government until 1878, the law unde
which its coinage was suspended should b
repealed at the earliest possible day, an
silver made with gold legal tender 70
e payment Of all debts, both public an
: private" This covers the whole groun
s in dispute; the Iowa Republicans 6
q straight at the point in the fewest pOss
BILE words, and declare for the repeal of tn
+ act of 1878, which suspended the cOinag
T of the silver dollar. This is all the pee
O pie Of Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and lows
n who have spoken on this subject, demand
The act of 1873 repealed, or rather altered
Il so as to authorize resumption of the coil
:, age of silver dollars, all the rest will TO
l. low: silver dollars will be coined and be
;, legal tender for payment Of all debts, bot
public and private.
D The administration will shortly lear
/ that there is but one opinion in the We
It on this important matter, and that Is
. favor of coming all the silver dollars III
. the mint can turn out. Secretary She
man ventured to say in his recent lett
lie that lit is not to be anticipated that ar
N future legislation Of congress would san
- ton or tolerate the redemption Of Il
= principal of these bonds, or the payne
OF of the interest thereon" in anything o
gold; but Mr.. Sherman may find befo
be he is three months older that this il
~ mistake.