The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-10
soCIAL CUNRINCY.

SOCIAL CUHRESCY.
individuals, families. social circles, ana
communities, as well as nations and couh-
tries. have their currencies They help
their commerce and at the same ume'
show their character and intelligence. IN
dams have their wampum; Cinnamon
their copper discs; and barbarians, gener'
ally. all sorts OF things 10 pass for cash.
The early races IN human history set
high value on their 1ocks and, measur-
ing other things by them, after their
name. pecus, called their money or rep
resentatives Of value. pecunia. The great
est nation OF modern times takes the
most precious and valuable metal LOT
their money, and stamps fine gold Win
n royal head, as their standard OK Vaiue'
When we get 10 dealing in ideas ana
affections. commerce becomes sociai III
tercourse. and words and expressions are
our currency. And the ideal OF late imam
ciering is realized; every man becomes
bank of issue and puts out currency oi
his own. His notes and coinage OF the
heart. the head, or the lips, are vaiua-
bic according TO their intrinsic WORTH "
as they are based upon experience, goou
sense sound judgment, and sterling ehar-
acter. If good in themselves or redeeiiia-
bic at their face value, they VIII ne nom
ored ALWAYS and everywhere; they VIII
nav the way of their proprietor through
life: give him a name, credit ana III
anence. and ensure him a comfortable
living. BY thy words thou shalt be JUS
tilted; and by thy words, thou shalt De
condemned But when abundance Is the
only recommendation OF a currency i
viii not buy much. Idle words and IRE
deenahle currency are chan. And the
man full of words shall not prosper III
the earth.
II is a. popular fallacy that plenty OF
currency is a cure for hard times ana
business troubles. Exactly the same err
ror is noticeable in ordinary diihcu'ues
and troubles. Most people THINK hat
! words are sovereign cure for all MS:
long ordinations. strong arguments pro-
/ tracted newspaper articles. And in nine
/ oaees in ten the words ana articles ohiy
omen I'D new questions. and require ne"
! ordinations. and add 10 complications
confound confusion; scatter hre; "h'le'
IN very truth. absolute silence, ana leaV'
ing things TO work themselves Out ana
ou,et down. is the very best and tlmeh-
est wisdom. The least said, the soonest
| mended
uut the character OF the general So
| cia, currency bespeaks the character and
| breeding, the hghness or lo"heSS' .ie
assentfal puritv or badness Of those tha'
use IT, The household words OF lam
uv are its domestic currency. comma"
and familiar anecdotes, expressions de'
| cont or foul. references, and suggestions
Nv their character and measure OF Value'
manifest the decency and worth or VIE
moss NJ the household Absolute ignorance
or utter Interpretation Of low hint or
,,.ination or double entendre inapiiN
20 trade after vicious style. is sure
guarantee Of the gentleman; while t"e
xnowing wink. the smoker or the ie"o
sn,irk. betrays the very reverse
The making and providing, the "resu-
,nttng, II the household words the
domestic or general currency. is no litue
raeoonsihilitv with those who control or
exercise influence.
Conversation. with its high or 10"
standards. is the currency Of social HE.
And its makeup shows to the world the
!
cie.v uufolds Itself and blossoms, ana
gives US the fruit Of the lips. A
whole section may be commonplace or
yulgarized by the ignorance or lo"hess
Of those who keep themselves before the
neople and assert themselves. CLASSIC Al
riean and darkey ology-"whereof IT.
te more than a little is by much TOO
much"-or shameless. reckless gossip
NAV quite supersede elegance and culu-
walton. where a laugh IS the chlel emu
of man. and 10 make joke or cater
claw a good name all TO pieces is count
ell fine and entertaining work for lauies
and gentlemen.
Society's currency is not confined &c
words and sentences only; but thoughts
and words uaterialize and embody them
selves into an ambulatory coinage which
&c sometimes bewildering. What IS man
~ think where the quintescence of dude
ism and the last stage Of effete humani'
ty passes current, and is accepted as
standard dollar. or as sovereign Withou'
the intrinsic value Of a six pence W heI
society legislature ordains that the lght'
est fly or the most hearuess scandal
moneer shall be received as legal ten
der. and answer the call for man OF
woman? And what must be the peoples
currency when these are standards oi
upper life?
But all this is the world, the flesh and
the devil; and mintage OF an unluckS
place. The currency that BELTS the Desl
order Of men, is not bi-metallc or mixed
or double-faced, or shin-plaster, or wilc
cat, or fat money. or defling utterance'
and issues. That may suit whom 1t may
But a family. community and a people
that respect themselves, and desire fail
dealing, and legitimate intercourse vii
have only fair keepers and representative!
and measures Of value; sound and re-
liable currency. And an honorable race
will have a conversation that belongs Il
| decent people, honest among the gen
tiles and such as beccmeth the gospel ol
truth and peace.
EDITORIAL COMMENTS.