Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-28

naturally CROUCH they are not likely 10 con.
crt I, themselves about storing away legal
tender to Ray them with, should such con-
tlngcncy asisc. Weight ana bulk are re.
detmIng features IN silver. They retard
Tire operations Of theft, and protect bsnk
against heavy drafts Of this coin. which
serves 30 happily TO abatc the exigency o.
runs for runs are greatly modified by the
payment Of silver. Indeed, silver Il more
popular with the people than gold or paper;
and when we get so rich rs TO esteem silver
On incumbrance, our appreciation oil wealth.
h overdrawn. and we have gotten OUT OF
proportion for our breecbrs. III rogue
enters yonr vaults he viii take the gold ana
leave The silver; IL you have only SILVER nis
erress Is impeded and the robbery 'esseneu
rs we'll as rendered more liable 70 deteci,on.
What sre we 10 do with men who have
become loo fastidious 10 soil their fingers
with silver, Vanderbilt's gold would be
frr more unwieldy 10 him than ordinary
mems silver. and II would become a capital
idea. in order to lessen expense OF trans
portation TO him. for the country 20 adopt
some moro blgbly-coudenscd medium oil
values for money.
When we see the worn and wearied farm
er or toil-ladened artisan gathering up his
Weeks hard. earned pay In silver we easily
get before our minds eye the c,-eerful coun-
tenances it Will rclume at home. and the
welcome that familiar messenger VIII re-
ceiye from the children and wife that reck-
ons their share Is there also. Gold TO them
would be more a stranger as well as less
divislble.
one OF the features Of value of silver is
its adoption by the Constitution as legal.
tender coin, and to deprive u OF its value
for such use would be to restore this coin
to bullion, to be shipped abroad or to be
worked into articles OF domestic use or
ornament. Currency that Is not a legal
tender will not do the service OF mere
change to any considerable extent. Asso.
cistes that we subject to restraints and
unequal privileges will soon find more con-
genial company. But we may be asked
why the public like paper money better
than gold or silver. This would per-
pick those OF us who had not Oh
served. we may say. the senseless dis.
elimination Of the public in many,
manu- Min0s. We may as well be expected
TO account for the preferences OF the people
in fashion and habits Of living, in most OF
winch little or no regard Is paid TO reason,
health. or comfort.
But banks and monetary people find con-
venieuce IN paper money, IN consequence
q the large amounts they have TO handle.
and where a Government currency is man.
,ained by the simple confidence OF the pub
lie, so that not the least consideration OF
caution as to its safety is ever thought OF.
The bank has no idea OF coin (Which
would ordinarily be required to float
paper money! being useful, but natu-
rally enough regards ii as an incum-
trance. But this Is far from the senti
ment Of the people generally. The living
without SILVER and gold, and cultivating Il
distaste for them land beg inning with dis
crediting one. Is but the first step toward
discountonancine the other is like attempt
ing TO live outside OF the Ten Command
menfs. Public confidence that has grown
so boUndIess in paper currency unhappily
discouTages all customary calculations OF
safety that experience and prudence would
suggest. and convenience and relief from
weight and bulk become a consideration so
important 10 Us as to over. balance all pre-
existing ideas OF solvency and permanency.
As 10 the question OF silver, no matter
what countries may dem0ntt tie ii, or what
wisdom may undertake TO shoulder the re-
spcnsibllity of meddling with is vital
agent Of the peoples medium OF values, the
children of the men that are living to-day
will be the witnesses Of the utter failure OF
such schemes, and not only will the failure
be then fully demonstrated, but long before
we that are here shall step aside from the
mats Of trade Will the havoc OF ruin OF
property and human industry present TO lis
q ptiable spectacle, such az will shake So
cirty TO its centre. I.