The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-03-07

and prevent the absorption of the producers
by the crafty and interruptions devices Of
the possessors Of accumulated capital.
"lf in the exigencies of war for self-pres-
ervation, forced upon the toiling masses BY
the ayarice of the money loaners, injustice
is done, and honest debts are paid in de-
preciated paper money, the rich who have
the control and the responsibility of legis-
lation will have no right to complain. The
history Of the struggles of the people Of the
United States for freedom and individual
rights ought to satisfy the avaricious and
INSCRIPTIONS that there is danger in their
attempt TO establish universal peonage OF
whites and black alike in country which
has made such enormous sacrifices to abolish
chattel slavery.
1.-THE people were educated to regard
gold and silver as the only materials out Of
which standard money could be made, and
they would have allowed them to continue
as the basis of circulating medium if the
avarice of the rich had not demonetized
silver.
"Fhe attack on silver, which for the pur.
poses of money was more highly priced and
In more general use than gold, was unfort-
innate for the stability of accumulated cap
ital. The spectators in money and in
debts are now demonstrating that there il
nothing sacred in either gold or silver, and
that metallic money is as much subject to
the caprice of legislation as paper or 6a'
money. Ifthe volume Of the circulating
medium can be contracted and expanded al
the pleasure of leg islators as we'll when the
precious metals are used as money as when
they are not, what reason is there for their
use as money? Legislators can say when
and how much of either metal shall be used
why should they not say when and how
much paper shall be in circulation?
1.-THE lesson that the designing and I'M
scrupulous few are teaching to many may
be used to avenge the outrage of demonetiz-
ing silver. 1t is just possible, if this agita'
ton continues, that the producing classe,
may invoke legislation to enhance the price
of labor and property and reduce the value
of standard money, and thereby relieve
themselves of the unjust and ruinous obliga-
tions forced upon them by the destruction
of half the supply of the precious metals
The bondholders have shown the people
how to make money scarce and dear; they
may in turn show the bondholderS how &c
make money plenty and cheap.
"The conspiracy 10 rob the masses by
manipulating the volume of currency is a
great educator. Good may come out of thii
apparently unmitigated evil. This cruel
and wicked contraction of the currency rc
make the rich richer and the poor poorer
may he followed by initiation. II would be
amusing to hear the grasping few, whose
sense of justice is not shocked by robbery Of
the masses, howl in despair if the standard
money of the world were doubled. Imagine
the cries of reputation, dishonesty, and
fraud if such suggestion were made, and
compare 1t with the sanctimonlous, self
righteous cant which justi6es the destruction
of one-half Of the money metal of the world
for the benefit ofthe rich.
"If the conspiracy against silver teaches
the people how to defend themselves against
legislative manipulation devised by the
possessors Of ixed capital, the world will be
wiser and better. Adversely has come. Lei
the bitter lesson be needed. Let it be dem
onstrated that the people of the United
States have capacity to learn. If manip-
ulating the money standards is legitimate
for the rich, the poor of America can play
at the same game.
"Why should not the debtor resist con.
traction by imitation, if need be, to save him
self and his family from robbery, starvation,
and ruin? If it is honest for the creditor to
destroy one-half of the worlds money why
should it be dishonest for the debtor to
double the standard money in circulation
and relieve his burdens? Let the rich and
avaricious take warning. They had better
restore the money OF the people and stop
agitation, if possible, before it is too late''