The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-02-21
Silver and Silver Coinage.

| silver ana SILVER SOlu0Ses
There is no denying the fact that
a large majority of the rural popu-
lation favor "free coinage" of sill
yer, and do so without in any de-
gree understanding the question at
issue. 1t seems however, that the
question is going to force itself to
the front, and must be disposed of
in some manner in the near future
and therefore as living vital ques-
ton is worthy of careful and hon
est consideration.
Without undertaking to define
the term "free coinage" we assert
that the bill recently passed by the
United States Senate is wrong in
at least one particular, viz: that of
compelling the Government to pur-
chase silver which should be after
ward coined into money. This
proposition is as foolish and un-
wise as that other Quixotic scheme
of government warehouses for
grain. The government should not
purchase, or be required to pur-
chase a single ounce of either sill
yer or gold at any price.
But we believe in unlimited coin
age of silver into legal tender coins,
which shall be done for the owner
of the metal at and bv the govern
ment mint, the government charg-
ing for such coinage, reasonable
sum. The coin to be the property
of the owner of the metal, and to
be used by him in any legitimate
manner he may choose. This plan
relieves the government of all re-
sponsibility SO far as putting the
coin into circulation and keeping
it there, and also evades the de-
mand Of the silver producers, that
the government shall be created
into vast storehouse for the sill
yer of the world.
But it is said by those VINO op-
pose the coinage of silver that the
coin is not honest for the reason
that it is not worth its face value
as compared with gold and hence
would unsettle all values and Gre
ate confusion and loss. To this OBJ
lection we reply that experience
proves that the claim has no foun-
dation in fact.
We have now by the latest treas
ury reports about three and one
third millions of silver coin and
certificates in circulation, which
according to these gold-bugs is
worth seventy four and one half
cents on the dollar, yet in what
business house in the land are you
inquired of, when you ask the
price of an artiQl lie, whether you
are going to pay'in gold or silver?
Why does not the "Buzzard" dollar
of today disarrange all prices and
confuse all business? That such is
not the fact is patent to all obser-
vers, and this fact of history is set
up in opposition of all the theories
Of the advocates of dear money.
We have listened to the Shylock's
talk about "hOnest money" and Gin
trinsic value" until we have almost
come to believe that there is some
thing in it, but we have only to
glance at the every day facts to as
certain that both gold and silver
have market value which rises
and falls in response to supply and
demand and in every case different
from the value stamped upon its
face. The changes are however
no detriment to the ordinary busi-
ness man and have no effect on the
business of the country.
These gentlemen however, pre-
dict great evils because the gov
ernment (the people, is bound for
the redemption of the silver coins
at their par value. But there can
be no great hardship in this