The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-10-23
it's fall for want of the very instru-
ment which makes civilization pos

it's fall for want Of the very instru-
ment which makes civilization pos
Sible-mOney
But we must in drawing parallels,
consider that the modern system Of
accommodating capital by time con-
tracts-bonded debts-was unknown
then.
The advancement of our modern
civilization has been powerfully aided
by this method Of aggregating capital
for all conceivable purposes. The
rapid appreciation of gold in value
which has thus far attended the steps
taken toward general recognition Of
the sole gold standard is the proof Of
its ins sutficiency in quantity and Of the
rank dishonesty Of the scheme.
1t is as true to-day as in 1881, when
NJ. Henri Cernuschi declared it at the
Paris International Conference.
"The gold standard is not consum-
mated we have only approached it.
1t cannot be attained until the 81, 5OO,-
600, 900 of coined silver and the large
volume of leeal-tender paper money
be deprived of that great function.
The distress caused by our approach
to its final conSummation is but as d
zephyr to a cyclone. This may be
realized when we consider the volume
of gold money, and then the volume Of
worlds debts. Hon. j. H. Walker, the
most intense Of goldites in Congress,
gave detailed statement of the
debts of the American people, aggre-
eating $3l ASS, 100, 900. Hon. Henry
Chaplin, late member Of the Salisbury
Cabinet, estimated the debts of the
British people at Ga 900, 900 900, $40, OOO,-
10000. Our actual possession of gold
would not pay more than one and one
half per cent of Mr.. Walkers figures.
Our boasted $500, 900 VASTLY over
estimated by our mint reports) would
pay only about two per cent of the
debt. Why, in view Of such figures
from such authorities, will not the
folly of such mad attempt to sub
vert natural laws become apparent?
1t is claimed that the total assessed
value of all taxable property in the
United States is but $24,OOO,OtO 900,
less by $7,4SS,000 than Mr.. Walkers
estimate of the debts OF our people.
Cannot, will not, men see the danger
which cOnfrOntS organized society:
The warning has been given repeat.
edly, here and abroad. How long can
armies and navies and police be held
to duty in the midst of general
panic, when bank doors ana store
doors are closed and money flies to
cover? Does it become a Christian
people to defy gold and place the crea-
ture above the Creator, money, the
tool Of exchange the useful instru-
ment of civilization to be elevated
above humanity? viii not the heed
less and thoughtleSs who are being
misled by the parrot talk of ''Sound
money" Honest money" take time
to consider what it means? Peck
sniffs discourse on morality does not
surpass in impudent hypocrisy the ut
teranceS of the 'sound-money" advo-
Gates. AS though money could be
sound which cannot be obtained to
pay debt without the sacrifice OF
three-fold The amount of properly, the
purchaser of which originated the
debt.
erty has been half paid for, and even
three-fourths paid Tor all is sacrificed
at the altar of this MOoch-gold. Is
is not true, in a large degree, of the
vast railway interests? Where is
there one of the older lines which
could not be built and equipped for
less than half Of its bonded debt?
Can any injustice be imagined tina
SurpaSses this gigantic Spollation of
honest inves tors in lands, tenements,
mills, factories and transportation
companies, and all taxpayers and
debtors as we'll, under forms of law?
1t is time that the conscience of the
American people should be aroused,
ere it is too late. Catch words play
an imL ortant part in this conflict for
right. Our opponents delight IN talk
ing OF the silver craze, and just now
that and the din of SQUAD" money is
used like battery of Chinese Stink
pots.
They dare not urge the total demone-
tizati9n of silver already coined. whc h
circulates as legal tender lawful mon
ey in Europe and America. Yet that
is the logical result of their schemes,
10 make it mere token money, as
nickel and copper money is.
HE gold craze needs the earnest at
tcntion Of the American people, and
they will give it ii they forget that
men who wear Shackles need them"
J. w. PORTER.
CharlOtteS Vile Va