The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-26


Oh u TAX &c suppress oeomargarinc.
but furtner than that, think that we
approach this question OF bank note cir
culatson, always IN our discussion. from
the wrong point OF view. Now In the
nature OF things, as between man and
man, II IL none OF the business OF the
Government II I give TO Mr.. Breckin-
ridge my obligation. payable on demand;
and II he receives II from me. Il is none
OF the business of the Government II he
passes 1t or TO your Governor. and the
Governor on 20 Mr. Wilson, and so on.
If those geAAemen choose TO trust me.
10 accept y hsbigation. IL is none OF the
business ofNfe Government to come in
and say that they shall not do 1t. (Ap-
plause) That is not for their protection
or for my protection. And that is done
every day in the transactions OF men.
But the Government has found that
bank-note circulation was one of the val
liable instrumentalities OF modern civil
lzation, by which the wheels of business
might be oiled, and that 10 attain the
highest usefulness over that form of obli-
CATION it must be surrounded by such
restrictions that men would take it-that
men could take it-quickly and readily,
without the examination which they
would give 10 a promissory note. and If
it did not possess those functions 1t would
not perform the work which was its
! highest usefulness in the community.
and therefore the Government has come
In and has said to me: You shall not
issue your obligation. payable on demand.
except under certain conditions and sur
| rounded by certain restrictions"
The right which the Government ac-
/ quired TO thus take from me a part Of
my liberty was the right TO make the
use of that liberty most beneficial to
| the community. Now, l say that when
government goes way beyond the doing
Of that which has been the one justiflca-
| ton for their interference with my liber-
~ and utterly suppresses the thing-ut
| terly suDpresses II and says to the COM
! munity you shall not have it'-and that
is our condition in tine United States to-
day; that the requirement Of the ma
tional bank note, on the one hand. where
by Its issuance Is no longer profitable.
and on the other hand tc the absolute
prohibition of all other kinds OF issuance
say the Government Of this country
has come in and interfered with what
was my natural right, and has done that
way beyond the necessities of the case;
has neglected it's duties, in that 1t has
not sought to give the people the highest
usefulness from that kind of modern
device for the faciltation for business.
(Applause)
Now ! say that in approaching this sub
jet we should approach ii rom the point
of view that If Government is to inter-
fere. II must only interfere in order TO
facilitate the thing TO ;he uttermost by
giving II the greatest possible security
consistent with it's issuance, in order that
the people may have the greatest possible
benefit from it in their busi1 80.
Now what the details are to be as to
this, l am not prepared TO say. That
rests with these gentlemen In Congress
who will have to deal with this question.
but 1t seems to me that 1t has always. OF
late years. been approached from entire
~ the wrong point of view, as 10 the iuhc-
tions and duties of Government.
Now, one other lesson of the election,
as TO all these things-and that is that
we should he perfectly courageous and
perfectly honest in acting In political mat
ters. according to our convictions. CAP
plause)
And we have every opportunity OF eau
eaten in these matters In this country
have lust finished reading with the
greatest interest the life Of one of your
very great Nirginians author yUuI
Biu Of Rights-he who CLEANED from the
Constitution Of the United States more
protection for the individual than lid any
other man-that is George Mason zap
plause)-and | find him away back in th'
Revolution, and just after the Revolution
talking on this currency question In
way that was full Of wisdom. md fraugh
with Lessons for posterity to-day.
We have In the election Of him whC
was chosen President another lesson OF
this sort How sure the American PEG
ple are to approve and stand by the maj
whom they believe to hav4 given then
the result Of his honest convictions upo,
public Yubjects-no mattrc whether they
af,ree with the popri~r desire or not.
Now in connection with this same ques
ton. and in correction with this thought
as to the less on OF courage ana OF ueNo
ton to public duty, without regard t'
Iersonal consequences, ] may say one
word about him. whom to know was on'
of the great rewards to me for HAVING
| entered into the Government service
: your great Southerner. who lies dead II
! Georgia to-night-to me one or the mos
iDstructing. one of the greatest, granoes
II On that il was ever my fortune 10 hhO"
| / say that he set an example TO the PEG
, nle Of this country-that he enabled th'
| neonle of his State TO put themselves OF
record. as a high-minded generous people
7 say that he did all this when In sorro"
VIII. r with regret, he declined TO one!
what he conceived TO be the mistaken
tho ;oiurious mandate Of the Legislature
Of his state (Applause.) l say that Of
b the one hand, Lamar's action, conslslen
&c II was with the courage Of his whtl
ufe I saw that il was the highest proc
- ~ the manhood, of the courage AM
t foithfulness to public duty OF an Ameri
| can, and 1 say. on the other hand,
. affo,ded the opportunity Of a tommunit
z which differed with him upon the Iaru.
2 ular point, but recognized ms hohes''
r his courage and his manhood-t was
7 oppcrtunity for that community u sno'
how high they could rise IN t"eIr appiS
-, az the great qualities or Amer
? can manhood. (ApplauseJ