The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-09-13
FACTS vs.. THEORIES.

MIR. EDITOR: so much mas Deen
written and said on the silver question
in the last few months that we ordi-
nary readers are almost bewildered.
Possibly no single question has been
discussed so much in American poll
tics, and it seems now that large
part of our people have reached that
point where assertions and theories
are more readily received than facts.
It requires no talent to start theory,
and hence the country is full Of them.
It is the only stock in trade Of the av-
erage politician. What does he care
for facts +? What regard has he for
truth when bold assertion, regard
less Of truth, receives the applause Of
| the rabble?
Having read several articles on the
money question pro and CON, and hav-
| ing seen statements that were not in
keeping with the facts, led me to in
| vestigate somewhat historically the
legislation on the subject Of the coin
age Of gold and silver, and by request
of some friends I am induced to let
those of your readers who may desire
to know few facts on the subject
have the benefit of them. This sum-
mary is not complete. I have not the
time to give details, besides it would
be too tedious to the reader. lido not
propose to state anything on the au-
| thority of the politician. His author
ity is never trustworthy. He has but
one idea, and that is fat Office.
"Give me Office or give me death, is
his patriotic (2) battle cry, and if nec-
essary to get it, truth and honesty
must give place to dark and devious
way. There are men, however, who
still have regard for truth, and who
| will state facts as they are for truths
sake, and upon such authority we can
safely rely. Our people-hot, impet-
uouR Southern people-would do well
to take calm, dispassionate view of
public questions especially the
money question that will affect them
more in the future than. it has in the
past. Denouncing every man as a
fool who will not shut his eyes and
swallow without question the asser-
tions Of some crossroads politician is
very unhealthy sign, and inspires
contempt for the man who has no
stronger argument than passion and
prejudice.
Adam and Eve never realized they
were naked, and would have remained
in blissful ignorance but for the
tempter. The South has been united
solid, prosperous and happy-and
who told her she was not? The temp
ter in the garb of the oily-tongued
politician. Like his protype of old,
he simply lied, and the people, like
foolish Eve, have believed it.
But the people say we need money.
Well, some Of them do, and'some have
already had too much. Men some
times imagine they need whiskey
when they don't. It is quite amusing
to see sick man calling upon doc
tor to prescribe whiskey for him. One
men will insist that we need more
money, because if it becomes plentiful
prices will go up and the people will
get more for what they sell. The
writer still remembers, while boy
during the late war, money was so
plentiful that he paid $25 for pocket
knife worth ten cents, and was offered
$4OO for silver watch that could be
bought for about 81 or s5 to-day.
What fortunes can men make-on pa
per But they are ''like bubbles
which on water stood" The more
whiskey the topper has the more he will
drink, the more money the spendthrift
has the more he will spend. Plentiful
money begets extravaganza, and moth
ing dcmoralizcs society faster than ex-
travagance, which begets liccntious-
ness, luxury and wantoness. "Givc
me neitheir poverty nor riches was
the prayer Of the wise man, but possi-
bly, we are nearing that time when the
great Apostle to Gentiles speaks Of
strong delusions being sent "that they
should believe lie.
"The love of money is the root of
all evil" yet the people cry give us
money. We are becoming impatient
of the restraint of the Bible teachings
upon our passions. Make usa "calf p
As for this man Moses, we care not
what has become of him. Gas for
honesty, truth and morality we care
not what becomes of it-make us
money This be. our God" seems to
be the cry of large part Of the Amer
can people, and it remains to be seen
whether Congress, like Aaron Of old,
will yield to the Importantly and
make for the people ;'silvcr calf, y
and then prepare "Gat money on
which to feed it. Let the people be-
ware. Blind leaders in every age
succeed in dumping both themselves
and their blinded followers in the
ditch.
Money is alright and proper in it's
place, and is necessary for the busi
ness transactions of life. 1t may buy
convenicnces and necessarics Of life,
but beyond that it is practically USE
less. What is money? What is it's
value 1? Why is it that piece Of brass
or iron the size of silver dollar,