Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-06-26
By Reouesf.


These three names stand out on
the page Of history more promi-
nent than any other three connect
ed With that of the Republic.
In the bright galaxy of Ameri-
can statesman they are stars OF the
first magnitude.
In them were combined in an
eminent degree eloquence, hon s.
ty and profound craftsmanship.
Could they be consulted on the
conflicting Issues to-day, they
would be unit i'm opinion, which
the record they have left behind
confirms.
They passed away before the
day of eenback legal-tender and
national bank currency, but with
prophetic vision they saw them
in the future, witnessed the con-
fiict and rendered Judgment.
In the United States Senate in
1888, Henry Clay said:
Whatever government agrees
to receive in payment of public
dues, is medium Of exchange
is money, current money, no mat
ter what its form may be-"
In referring TO the national banks,
he said:
81 conceive its establishment as
dangerous to the safety and well
fare of this Republic
John C. Calhoun, the idol of the
southern Democracy, and the most
eminent statesman of which that
party can boast, has left the follow
ing opinions on record, in refer
ence TO the issues of the day:
''It appears to me after bestow-
ing the best reflections / can give
the subject, that no convertible
paper, that is whose credit rests on
the promise to pay, is suitable for
currency"
Bank paper is cheap to those
who use 1t.
"On the other hand, a national
currency, while it would greatly
facilitate its financial operations,
would cost next to nothing, but
would give to every branch of in
dustry great advantages And /
now undertake to affirm. without
the least fear that / can be answer
ed, that a paper issued by the gou-
ernnaent, WITH THE SINGLE PROM
IsE TO RECEIVE 1T FOR DUES,
would form A PERFECT Pa
PER CIRCULATION, which
could not be abused by the the gov
eminent that it would be as uni
form in value as metals, and 1
shalt be able TO proUe that IL Is
acithin the constitution and poUer
of Congress TO prouide such O. paper,
according to the most rigid rule OF
constituting the constitution"
The mooted question now is in
the constitutional power of Con-
gress to make anything but gold
and silver legal-tender for debts.
On this point the opinions of
Daniel Webster, who won and
merited the title of "Constitional
Expounder," is timely and con-
elusive:
BY denying to the states all pow
er of emitting bills of credit, or
making anything but gold and sill
yer tender in payment of debts,
the whole control over the stand.
ard of value and medium of pay
ments is vested in the general gov
eminent. Delegating the grant
to Congress, and the prohibition
to the states, just reading of the
provision Is this: Congress shall
haze po,Cer to ccin money, EMIT
BILLS OF CREDIT, AND MAKE
ANYTHING BESIDES GOLD AND
SILVER COIN A LEGAL-TENDER IN
PAYMENTS OF DEBTS'.'
Were these great men in the
United States Senate to-day does
the country believe they could be
driven, coaxed or bribed to follow
in the wake of Blaine, Conkling
Edmunds and Bayard. cringing al
the heels of the Money Power
willing to do its bidding for the
sake of place and power, though
the nation perish
If greenbackism is lunacy
Americas most brilliant orator;
and PROFOUND statesmen were lun'
aticS