The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-09-05

many, and of other lesser European
kingdoms, gazed upon the success and
prosperity of the American people.
Once Great Britain attempted to
humiliate the proud little Republic
which the courage of Washington and
the genius of jefferson had established,
but in turn was duly humbled and her
myrmidons sent back home discomft-
ed. The other powers have had the
good sense to never try to follow
England's example. But a watch was
kept. The crowned heads of the east
must not permit the Republic to sue
coed If they could prevent it. Oppor-
tunity was watched for that would
give them an advantage.
The secession of the southern states
was hailed by them as suspicious.
They saw in it possibly the dissolution
of the union. That meant division and
weakness. But disruption did not
come. The breach was closed and the
American people became one nation
again.
Where could Europe strike so as To
weaken its American rival and bend
it to its servicep
The only hope was through money
control. Americans had thrown off
the control of kings. Could they throw
off the thrall and tyranny of a money
powerp If Europe could control the
fiscal policy of the United States the
enslavement of the American people
could yet be accomplished. Enslave-
ment meant robbery, oppression; sub
jecting them to a tyranny worse than
tho Jews when bonded to the Egyp-
tians.
A few American capitalists were
seen. These proved plastic to essen
tial overtures. There was money in
it. There was power. There was
opportunity for oppression, and bond
age under that. TO become masters
of the American people, they consent
ed to become the slaves of European
plutocrats. For the privilege of plum
dering the many they became the vas
sails of the enemies of their country.
The first step was the issuing of vast
quantities of government bonds. The
government needed money. The cap
~italists exchanged their money for gov
eminent bonds at a ruinous discount.
Then at par, these bonds became the
basis of the national bank issue. This
suited the bondOwner, because it gave
him control of the money supply. That
was too large to suit his purpose and
he secured the retirement of the treas
ury notes and several hundred millions
of greenbacks. This unheard of con
traction of the circulating medium
strewed the country with financial
ruin. This suited our money masters
all the more. 1t converted millions of
other peoples property into their
pockets.
The government debt amounting to
90, 400, 900 900 was funded in bonds
payable in silver and gold. The silver
dollar contained 412% grains of silver
9-10ths fine. The gold dollar contain
ed 3.22 grains of gold 9-10ths fine.
Then 1t was discovered that the sill
yer mines of the mountain ranges of
the west were promising a very large
yield of metal. 1t might become I'M
possible after all for the capitalist and
bondholders to control the volume of
money. 1t might become possible for
the people to pay without much trouble
the debt that was upon them and
which was payable in silver. The
annual output promised to reach $780,
900 1000. 1t would not be possible to
hamper q people who were digging
that much money out of the ground
every year.
European capitalists became alarm
ed. The American people were about
to escape the meshes woven for them.
Great Britain had no silver mines at
home and had demOnetized that metal.
Germany had no silver mines of any
conse quence, and could cripple Amer
lea in no manner so effectually MS by
demonetizing silver and depressing its
value. The American capitalists obedi-
ent to the behests of their European
masters and desiring to serve them
rather than their debt laden country
men joined readily IN the demand for
the demonstration of silver. This
would please their European masters.
IL would also make money scarce and
harder 10 get. This would enhance
interest rates. 1t would increase the
value of gold and enhance every debt
payable in gold Or silver. In this be-
half was silver demOnetized.
1t was not in response to any de-
mand of the American people that this
was done. There were no petitions
from its people asking the dropping
out of the silver dollar. 1t was not
even debated in congress. 1t was done
surreptitiously. 1t was done under
cover and clandestinely. No red hand
ed assassin yer approached his victim,
and plunged his dagger in his vitals
more stealthily, than did the enemies
of the people when stabbing the silver
dollar to the heart. So secretly was il
done that even President Grant didn't
know il for a year.
1t was the browning infamy of crime
against the liberties and interests of
the American people. The object was
to control the circulating medium of
the country. 1t was to increase the
Volua nf dabtS and daorooOa tho ,,,Jnn
of the products of the people. 1t was
to restrict the money supply and enable
capital to control the laborer through
his wages.
The only way to right the wrong is
to restore the law as it existed prior to
1873. To that restoration, the sacred
honor of the democrat is pledged, and
no true democrat can or will bestray
the trust.