The Delta independent., 1894-04-11
CONSTITUTIONAL MONEY.


The Use OF Silver Money Is Constitu-
tlonal Right of Which Congress Cannot
Deprive the People.
As King Saul lowered above his fel-
lows in physical stature, SO does Sen
ator Morgan rise above his associates
in the senate as an eXpounder of the
constitution. 1t is conceded by demo-
Gratis and republicans alike that SEN
ator Morgan is the ablest constitu-
tional lawyer in the senate or that has
held seat in that body since the days
of Daniel Webster. Hence when he
speaks upon any subject involving
constitutional principle he commands
the respect of the senate and arrests
the attention of the whole country.
In his speech before the senate MIR.
Morgan took the broad ground that
the Use of silver as money was q consti-
t,tiaual right of which congress could
not deprive the people. In most eXplic-
it language the constitution recognizes
gold and silver as the money of this
country, aud grants to congress the
power to regulate the coinage of the
two metals on equal terms There is
nowhere in the constitution even the
suspicion of authority for congress to
discriminate between the two metals,
much less to demonetize either. A fair
construction of the constitution is that
if there is unlimited coinage for one
metal there must be for both There
can be no separation of the terms or
conditions upon which the two metals
shall be coined. But if by strained
construction it should be held that con-
gress did have this power, this would
not carry with it the right or power to
strip either of its money quality with
which it is invested by the constitution
in language as plain as it is possible to
make it.
Congress has not the constitutional
power to demonetize silver or gold.
Both are coupled together so insepa
ably by the terms of the constitution
that the right to destroy one would
carry with it the right to destroy both;
and if gold and silver were both de-
monetized the country would be left
without any money. Surely there is no
one, not even the hard-faced gold cham
pion, who would have the temerity to
contend that congress has the right to
destroy the whole money supply of the
nation. Then the converse must be
true. If both cannot be destroyed,
then neither one can be singled out for
destruction.
The use of silver as money is a right
guaranteed by the organic law, and it
is as sacred right as any guaranteed
by that instrument which is the pal
ladium of our liberties. If silver can
be stricken down, then any other pro-
vision of the constitution can be vio-
lated with equal impunity. The peo-
pie of this country will not permit an
invasion of their constitutional rights
by either congress or the executive.
This is government of constitutional
limitations, and it is necessary to main
tain it as such in order to preserve the
liberties of the people. If any branch
OF the government attempts to usurp
authority not delegated by the consti-
tuition, the people will rise in their
might and overthrow the usurper.
The goldolaters are treading on danger
GUS ground when they attempt to de-
privc the people of their constitutional
right to use silver as part of tho
money of the country. The people will
not submit to it. They will not be
robbed of their constitutional rights
AS long as American manhood and
American patriotism exist, the consti-
tuition shall be preserved intact, and
the people shall have full enjoyment of
all the rights guaranteed by that in
strument. nt.-Portland (Ore.) Telegram.
------------------