Birmingham age-herald., 1895-06-03
SECOND EDITION.
SILVER IN ANCIENT TIMES
History Shows That the Demagogue Was the Same Then as Now-SolonS Little
 Scheme-His Prophecy

The North American Review for June says: Exactly twenty-four hundred and ninety years ago a commercial depres- sion very similar to the one we are now suffering from here existed in Attica, partly the result of a war for the recov- cry of Salamis and partly of a series of bad crops. In fact. to prove the cyciical nature of these financial crises. the de- pression was parallel with ours even in the matter of dates, for it began in 91 and was still existing in '95 (59o 5. C., or course I mean.)
 Terrible as our populst orators DOT tray the condition of our own aGrieR- turist to be- that of his Grecian pro- totype was far worse in that period of dearth "He had sunk into an actual slave and had from time to time been sold and exported" We seem to see, too, picture as of New England's de- serted farm lands. Many poor cred lures had fled away from home and Were supporting themselves by the labor of their hands in foreign countries" This condition of affairs, as was natural, had given birth to a populistic party called the Hill party" which advocated the repudiaton of outstanding debts and a return to their original owners of all properties that had been foreclosed. h. deed so radical were their demands that capital was severely agitated and the value of agricultural holdings suffered a serious decline. Over--this divided state Solon was called to preside, not so much by reason of any previous eVi- dence of sta tesmanship as because of a current remark of his to the effect that the management of affairs could only be just and proper when everything was even"
 Taking the times into consideration, politician could hardly have hit upon happier phrase. It satisfied both the rich and the poor. It raised Solon to the archonship. a position which correspond ed to our presidency, with the authority of our supreme court tackled on as an ad- junct
 Though lifted to power by an epigram, Solon was not inclined to descend from : it by nasty action. He pondered long and deeply on the situation-so long, in fact that Phanias the Lesbian, asserts that he was dealing artfully with both par ties-prvately promising the poor a di- vision of their lands and the rich a con firmation of their securities. This was base calumny of the kind to which the politician has been subject In all times and ages, for the wealthy classes were really becoming alarmed at the delay and the poor furious. At last Solon's mind was made up, and, summoning his three intimate friends, Conon, Clinias and Hipponicus, to private consultation, he thus addressed them:
 "Oh, friends often man in public life, while seeking the suffrages of the people makes promises he finds impractcable of fulfillment when he reaches office True reform Is reconciliatio of conflict ing interests, and he is the safest guide who takes his course midway between the mountain and the plain"
 Which means to say, o, Solon, that to repudiate all debts is to yield every thing to the Hill party" said Clinias. But how about returning the properties already foreclosed to their original own ers?"
 !, That would upset the whole social fabric of Attica," replied Solon.
 And thou intendest to do nothing then?" exclaimed Conon.
 Solon stayed him with a gesture Nay, my friends, I have thought of a better means of relief-one that will please everyone and that will not dis turb the existing order of things. It is In fact, so great a scheme that I have sent for you to hear it first"
 What wilt thou do, Solon?" in quired Hipponicus.
 T will reduce the value of the currency 27 per cent" said Solon, ''by the admix- ture of baser metal. Thus the debts that are now outstanding can be re- duced by about one-third of what was borrowed, and the mortgagee receiving nina for nina will have no cause for complaint"
 70 Solon. thou hast solved the great enigmaw cried his three friends in ad- miration.
 Solon smiled complacently. 1T have little doubt I have inaugurated a new school of finance that will find pupils in all succeeding ages"
 T understand then that the lands shall remain as they now are." observed Clinias meditatively. "and that all debts shall be repaid in minas worth 73 in- stead of 100 drachmas.
 'I have spoken" replied Solon, stiffiy. "A little alloy will do the busi- ness"
 70, Great Law Giver," exclaimed the three together. thou hast indeed inau- gurated new system, and thy name shall be handed down for future genera tions to worship"
 "A last word," exclaimed Solon. "The
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