The Delta independent., 1894-05-30
z SOUND LOGO.

Conduct of the Government and Habits
of the People.
An extravagant government makes
an extravagant people, and IN ex-
travagant people make an extravagant
government
The federal government piled up a
big debt during the war, but fully one
half of 1t was the result Of incompe-
tent, reckless and spendthrift methods.
At the close Of the war our statesmen
saw that the credit of the United States
was at a low ebh They at once in
augurated an era of rapid debt pay
ing, and this policy in few years
caused our national credit to reach a
higher level than that Of England and
France.
OF the twenty-nine years that have
elapsed since the close of the war, we
have devoted twcnty-six to debt-pay-
ing After such an experience one
would naturally suppose that the gov
ernment would practice economy and
keep out of debt Not n bit of it-that
is not the American way. We have
called n halt in the matter of redeem
ing our public debt, and have plunged
into SO many extravagances that tho
nation is seriously considering the ex-
pedicncy of making new debt Of
from 500. 600, 600 to 5000, 900, 900 in or
der to settle some of our pressing obli-
cations When Richelieu told De
Mauprat to pay his debts the gallant
soldier asked him where he could bor-
row the money. This is the American
idea exactly. Our government proposes
to begin an economical administration
by paying certain debts, and it wants
to settle accounts with its creditors by
borrowing q lot Of money. thus maxi
ing q new set of creditors
The people are very much on the
same line The average American will
not live within his income and will not
pay as he goes. lie wants to show the
world that he has credit, and having
credit he proceeds to utilize it When
he is pressed for settlement he follows
the example Of our government
wipes out the old debt and shoulders O
new one.
Our long spell OF hard times has
forced many people to practice rigid
economy. but it is doubtful whether 1t
has cured the nation OF its extravagant
habits. With the first touch of return
ing prosperity the Americans will
branch out into innumcrnblc spcculnt-
i've enterprises, and at the end Of q
year of good times they will be heels
over head in debt The people and tho
government are just alike. They have
contracted the habit Of living beyond
their incomes, and they believe that
the way to settle an old debt is to
make n new ono that will extinguish
s,,t tI,,u fn 10
generations to come, but some day
there will have to be reckoning and
collapse. The sooner we return to tho
simple ways Of our fathers the better.
At present both government and pco-
pie are going the pace that kills.-At-
lanta Constitution
II Is an important AMI strongly sug-
gestive fact that, from n financial point
uf view. France is to-day tho strongest
nation upon tho globe In full posses
sion Of free coinage OF both gold and
silver, and with n silver circulation far
exceeding that of gold. and still being
augmented by purchase, she has not
asked England or Germany whether
she could or should demonetize silver.
but moves calnly on. confident through
experience and in the intelligence OF
her people in her ability 10 main.
tain n sound and reliable double
standard and FREQ coinage for
herself alone IL necessary, showing
thereby her greatness and sagacious
financial system, whose valuo and
prscticability is proven by the uni
versal prosperity of her citizens There
is matter in the contemplation Of con-
trast between the existing conditions
OF prosperity In the French republic
and those found at this moment In
nearly or quite all gold standard coun-
tries, which should inspire every states
man, every lover OF his country. every
man who can influence thought and
action, to resist the encroachment OF
the money power upon the liberties
and happiness Of the American people
through the pernicious banking and
financial system, directed by and car
ried on in the personal interest OF one
third Of one per cent OF our population.
ut the bitter cost of tho great remain.
,ier. er.-Breckenridge (Col) timetable.
Prof. Andrews concludes that ''at
the ratio OF 20 to the production Of
silver could not surpass that Of gold"
Ills opinion is TINT in few years silver
coined 90 TO would go to premium
II the learned professor is approximate
ly correct, the 20 TO ratio is perfectly
safe, even from the money-lending