Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-06-19

standard is confession that the
demonetization of the system was
blunder, if not q crime, that its
consequences have been disastrous
and that the conditions it has
wrought are full Of menace and Of
peril. The logic of facts estab,
fishes beyond intelligent question
that the destruction of silver as
primary money, by aconspiracy OF
selfish interests, is the cause fol
the wides, ,'read depression and suf,
fering that began with the gold
standard. Thele can be no resto-
ration of prosperity, no permanent
relief from prevailing conditions
until the great cause has been re-
moved by a complete restoration
of silver to its proper place as mon
ey metal, equal with gold. We be-
lleve in a money of Stable value
we believe the least of all in an
appreciating standard; it is only
through the practical operation of
bimetalism that a stable standard
of value can be secured. A stand
ard constituted of monay constant
ly increasing in value is not a
sound, a single nor astable stand
ard, but constantly changing
standard.
THE REALLY DISHONEST MONEY.
The effect of gold monometalism
is to establish one standard for the
creditor and another for the debt
or; and there can be no more dis
honest monetary system than that
which gives short measure to the
borrower and long measure to the
lender. Under the policy prevail
ing prior to 1873 there can be no
violent change in the relative
value of the two metals, for a rise
in value of one metal is counter
acted by a decreased demand, aid
a fall in value by an increased de-
mand. Under the operation of
this beneficent law q stable rela-
ton was maintained between them
in spite of the most extreme
changes in relative productions
From the frsi period OF our histo-
ry up TO 1873 the right of the debt,
or to choose whether he should pay
his debts in silver or gold coin was
always recognized. The subse.
qucnt policy has been to tran sfel
this right to the creditor, thus tend,
ing to constantly increase the value
of the dearer metal and destroy the
parity between them.
Believing that it is absolutely
necessary to reverse this inquitous
and ruinous policy, we therefore
resolve that we favor the immedi,
ate restoration of silver to its for.
mer place as a full legal tender
standard money. equal with gold
and the free and unlimited coin
age of both silver and gold at the
ratio Of 16 to l and upon terms Of
exact equality.
That while we should welcome
the cooperation Of other nations
We believe that the United States
should not wait upon the pleasure
Of foreign governments or the con,
sent of foreign creditors, but should
themselves proceed to overthrow
the grinding process that is re.
stroylng the prosperity of the peo,
pie and should lead, by their ex,
ample, the nations of the earth:
That the rights of the American
people, the interests of American
laAeGG, aud be tfEsss sseEse
to the consideration of the peoples
lawmakers than fhe greed of for.
eign creditors, or the avaricious de,
'mands made by "idle holders Of
idle capital"
The right to regulate its own
monetary system i'll the interests OF
its own people is a right which nc
free government can barter, sell OF
surrender. This reserved right is
a part CT every bond, of every con-
tract and of every obligation. Nc
creditor or claimant can set up q
right that can take precedence over
nations obligations to promote
the welfare of the masses of its Own
people. This is the debt higher
and more binding than all other
debts and one which is not only
dishonest but reasonable TO ign ore
Under the financial policy that
now prevails we see the land filled
with idle and discontented work
ingmen and an ever-growing army
of tramps, men whom lack of work
and opportunity have made out
casts and beggars. At the other
end we find that a few thousand
families own one-half of the wealth
Of the country.
The Capitalization of wealth has
gone hand in hand with the spread
of poverty. The pauper and the
plutocrat IRE twin children of the
same vicious and unholy system.
The situation is full of menace tc
the liberties of the people and the
life of the Republic. The issue is
enfranchisement of hopeless servi.
tude. Whatever the power OF
money can do by debauchery and
corruption to maintain it's grasp OIL
the law-making power will be done
We, therefore, appeal to the plain
people of the land with perfect con.