The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-09-22

ICoinmunicated.l
Old men ominously shook their
heads, young men stoutfy declared
that 'the union must be preserved"
and mothers on bonded knee claspad
more closely their precious boys. ard
prayed God that the storm cloud of
war might pass. But above all the
prayers. waillngs AMI forebodinRs, the
attentive listener could hear from Wall
street the echoes OF jubilant satisfac.
ton. and harmonious preparations
for an onslaught uron the industry
and prosperity OF the country. Nor
was Wall street alone in this exulta-
ton over prospective civil war; all
along the line were ringing notes Of
exultation to arms. Now, do you ask
wht this exultation over n prospective
civil war, IL there can be such thing,
Do you ask why the many kings oil
Wall street were SO anxious, and
positively joyous when the guns were
turned upon Fort Sumpter. and the
declaration of war sent lite thrilling
notes throughout the length and
breadth OF our land. Do you ask why
their heaits became like steel, and
their thirst for human gore Unsuitable;
why human life had lost it's sacred.
ness, and the thunderings of the war
Reader. do you imagine 1t was be.
cause OF their Rreut love for the dnsky
toiler in the cotton fields of Mississippi
or because the finer Instincts of their
nature reyolted against the cruel sys-
TEN of African slavery. Do you sup
pose the story of Uncle Tom and little
Eva had touched their hearts. and they
had sworn vengeance upon the perpe-
traitors OF such cruelty? No, no. the
money kings OF Wall street were not
the men whose hearts were touched
with pity by the cries OF distress.
Their love OF gain had stfled the finer
instincts OF their nature, and they re-
joiced because they saw in the prepare
ton for war their long coveted oppor-
tunity for plumber.
The calamity OF war must bring US
necessities, and through these neces.
stiles they determined to suhiugate
their unsuspecting brother men. To
accomplish this 1t became necessary
to obtain possession OF the national
finances. AS blood. the circulating
medium OF the body, Is the life VI
i the body, so they knew that money,
the circulating medium OF the coun.
try. was the life OF the country. Its
industry, its education. ita morality,
in truth, It's very life depended upon
ito medium of exchange. Controlling
1t they could initiate or depress the
! business OF the country at pleasure
| they could send the warm life current
! Il Rough tLe channels of trade, dispens
| ing peace, happiness and PROSPERITY
| or they could check It's flow, and com
| p.etely paraly2e the Industries OF the
country, as they have done ut this
time.
They knew their opportunity was al
hand, and the tidings OF war. that
blanched the cheek, and sent terror tC
the heart of the multitude, was tC
their ears sweeter thap tho music oil
the spheres. Scarcely had the wal
cloud broken ere the gold and sill
yer money OF the country had dlsap
penred. True to the history OF metallic
money in all ages. In the hour OF peril
in n country's greatest noed, her gold
and silver money always takes flight
What had become OF iJP Why Shyloel
had obtained possession OF 1t. Fol
what purpose, let US see? The necee
stiles of the war required vast sums ol
money. but.the treasury WAS empty
the gold and silver money OF the coun
try had fled; what was to be done
The Government was in duty bount
to suppress the rebellion, to defert
herself against the aggressions OF he
enemy. .-...
She must call out troops, clothe
feed and provide them with munitions
OF war.
But where should she derive mean
for this vast expenditure, where, In he
distress, should she look for succo
und support? Where, indeed, couli
the government look except to ho
own money class? Did not Wall stree
rejoice in the declaration of war, ant
loudly protest against the secession
OF the slave states? Surely, Wall stree
would come to the rescue, and pou
out her treasure in defense OF TIL
government. So said justice, SO salt
patriotism, but history tells us quit
another story.
Neither American or foreign capita
lists would loan money to the govern
ment upon any reasonable terms. Irut
the banks would loan their notes al
twenty per cent. discount, that is, they
would exchange eighty dollars of thei
rates for one hundred dollars in gov
, eminent bonds, bearing high rate o
interest, payable In gold and backe
by the government. but they had not tn
: power TO make even these notes GOO
In the hands OF the soldiers. Fore!g
, capitalists would not lonn us an
! money. for they hoped and expects
to zee the republic rent in twain. an
! the star of our liberty sink in nigh
OF anarchy and blood.
. Words are inadequate to express til,
! hopeless condition OF the country, an
1t would be almost impossible to Civ
: credcnce to the demands of HyaIic
were not Its authenticity sustained b
Z the most reliable records. From Al
| pleton's Cyclopedia for 1851, page 30,
) We learn that lhe money kings of Wa
+ street graclously rendered loans to til
I government In her distress at from :
=, to 80 per cent. interpst-these sam
money kings whom to-day we hay
, quoted as those generous, patriot
/ capitalists" Why, the South was nc
+ more formidable and determined
r In the preservation Of her slaves tina
: we're these Shylocks to wrench frol
o the government in her distress sue
o usuly as would have put to shan
9 their world-renowned ancestors.
{ DIX. J. B. WEIGH.
S Wilmington, Del.