The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-10-07
THE NATIONAL BANKING sYsrEM.
Its Abolition asMeRe Important Question Tha
Ever Free Silver.

Its Abolition asMeFe Important Question Than
Ever Free Silver.
Editor Representative.
l feel somewhat surprised when l think
that our great speakers on the side of free
coinage do not pay more attnetion to that
terrible system known as our national
banking system. Amid the multiplicity of
opinions and infinitude of lies that we hear
nowadays, it is hard for the inexperienced
to decide as to what is truth. But II the
right course be taken to find out one need
not be deceived
Prices are the unfailing sign of prosperity.
The rise Of prices shows us to be In a pros
porous condition, while the lowering of
prices show depression.
Take the United States census and other
statistical reports. true as the needle points
to the pole, they will show what periods in
our history were prosperous.
The lowest point we ever reached was
in 1912, known as John Tyler's hard times. -
and during the period from 1873 to 1878 was a
period that will long be remembered. In
1857 to 1860 another period is marked off as
a very low condition of things. For all
those periods there was a cause, which can
be understood by anyone of ordinary intel
lect. Just think of people. ascribing the
present condition to whole lot of effects
instead of seeking for the cause. There has
been a cause that stands out boldly and de-
fies the world for anything to outparallel it.
That is the national banking system. 1t
has attached itself to one of the ruling pow
ers, and defies us to remedy it's evils. 1t
has been the direct cause of more crime,
embezzlement and suicide than anything
that the iniquity of man could invent: and
it stands as one Of the leading issues of
today, for the reason that while it remains
EVERY DOLLAR HAS TO BE BORROW
ED BEFORE IT EXISTS. And we may
talk of free coinage and other reforms till
doomsday chat won't be long if the banks
still exist, but they will only bring tempor-
airy relief as long as that internal system
is left to rob the toiler of his justly earned
wealth. Can you show me dollar that
has not been borrowed in the last 20 years
Can you show me dollar that has not
crossed a bank counter 20 times in that Pc
riod Of time, or one that has not earned for
the banker many more dollars. 1t has
drawn the life blood from the American
people, and has caused poverty to cross
every threshold and millions of honest toll
ers to tramp from sea to sea. Oh, what a
feeling of hatred it has caused to enter the
bosom of millions Of level headed American
citizens while they tramp ON in search of
what it has stolen, chance to work. 1t
has taken their wealth from them, and
transferred it into the hands of a few. 1t
has made debts a necessity by its system,
SO that the American people have been
obnged to borrow or not have money. They
must bow to the banker and beg the priv
ilege to borrow. 1t is system too humilia-
ting for free people. Far too many have
realized it by experience, as the last COW
or horse has been driven away, to say moth
ing of the last home. The United States.
boasting Of freedom has, for the last %
years been nothing but wholesale pawn
shop, operated by Wall street and a few
British bankers and the once free Amer
lea is on the eve of destruction as a re-
suit. Four Years more of the single gold
standard and sthis reasonable system of
robbery, and blood will flow as it never
flowed in our land. There should be inn
mediate action on this Internal banking
system if we would avert the dastardly in
f1uence of war. 1t seems to us that it is
too late to stay the hand of the destroying
angel The outcome of this campaign may
bring war. The wrath of this nation has
been stirred. and has gone forth from the
worth even unto the East, and has. shaken
the lana with its terror. as it were. Let
the American people destroy the banking
system that peace may reign in our once
free land. we are doomed to fall as a
nation. 1t brings the same evil to us that
caused the downfall Of ancient Rome and
every other nation that ever fell.
Down with the banks that the nation may
live and freedom reign in this land OF free
dom once more.
F. NJ. Prettyman.
Staples, Mimi, Oct. 2, 1896.