The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-22
WHAT FREE SILVER WILL DO.

There Is no authority upon the history
ally quoted during the campaign than
Thomas II. Benton. His active interest
IN public affairs between 1870 and 1850 and
hts great intellectual powers would under
any circumstances make his views upon
any current topic exceptionally interest
Ing. II happens. however. that he paid
particular attention to the subject of cur
rency as well as OF commerce, and so
many OF ilis predictions have been verified
that n seems very safe TO attach signih-
canoe 10 his representations In possible
emergencies which are only now arising.
Although his latest writing terminates
with 1850. twenty-three years before the
demonstration OF silver. Il il very evil
dent that most Of the leading men OF the
nation who devoted any attention TO the
subject looked forward to the time when
the money Of the country would be based
upon gold standard. They were b.
mstalllsts IN the sensS OF desiring the cir
culatlon OF both metals on a parity. bat
all the great statesmen. from jefferson
and Hamilton down through the century
attention of congress, have agreed that
the parity could be maintained only so
long as the legal ratio agreed With the
commercial ratio.
There was considerable difference OF
opinion as 10 methods. but there seems
to have been no hesitation on thu part OF
any o, them In insisting upon sound
money. Benton quotes Webster as speak
Ing foreibly and justly against the evils
OF a deprecated currency. In the course
Of enc OF his speeches Webster said:
"a disordered currency Is one OF rhs
greatest OF political evils. Il undermines
the virtues necessary for the support OF
the social system ard encourages propsn-
slties destructive of its happiness. II wars
against industry. fruFsllty ana economy.
and 81 fosters the evil spirits Of extravs-
ssnee and speculation. or all the con
tFtVanees for eheStiug the laboring classes
OF mankind. none has been more effectual
than that which deluces them with paper
money. This Is the most effectual OF IN
vcn,lons 20 fortillze the rich mans Geld
by the sweat OF the poor mans brow.
Ordinary tyranny. oppression. excessive
taxation. these bear lightly or the hsppi-
ness OF the mass OF the community COM
pared with fraudulent eurrsncies."
In isss Webster addressed congress on
the subject OF the small quantity OF silver
currency Ia the United ststss-only some
twenty-five unilltons-and not a particle
valuation OF sold. caused by the undue
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SIS. 900 and $50 CO.,
uaa-of currency 20 specie. How Is e pos
slhle." he asked. under the clrcuu-
stances. 20 retain specie in circulationr
All experiences shows II TO ~ ln-poss gbie."
It is important to know what was TIA
condition OF the people under a policy
v-aich has srtvsn sola out o. the country,
kept only silver in circulation. and supple
meRtea Il BY al issue OF paper. Z, can De
sseert&lBed frog a sreech rnafs BY Ben
ton la the United States senRt. IN that
same ysar-lSss- SAsa Webster was com
piasains % silver usons-netamsu. sena-
sor Benton satt:
EN- al "a; comes from the sol. the
people ~ ths West are -icA They have
an abundant supply % soes rov rlsa and
s.ssr arf a larxe surplus 20 sent abroad
They have = comfortable living whica In
3assry creates fer itself IN r8ch sosl: Bat
esyens r8ts tAey are poor. T7ssy have
maze * ne selesssS works whscA imply
she prezsacs a. tAe money power"
AFTER running ever The mary tslnws
ree8ea IL The way - pHAst> tr-,r~.ve-
neata Be s&ta Il wss aat eeca ass
ihs psopls as nes desire then.
Bet Ne continued. they have 70
money: net enough Ter private ard
eerreat uses: aos enough 70 aefray
/ our eargsnS expenses ana eay neesszarfss.
wisaans shsnksnE CT paouo improve
/ merits .
AT viii not agree wsth re coueius8sn.
( sut Ne sare. not s&ye steoa AZ Score .As
/ Unssee States senate sse rnaae sae.-
/ statements q fac, = they ans nss n~.a
/ true
/ PeTAsrs ths cause Is - - foa1s su Ser
/ ssar nsnfea's review q sns monetary .y-s-
/ ts.a % gsas nzston- x IS - clear ana cor
yselaE ssat every ~an II the Uzises
4 States saoula - saznsIsar wssa e. x = %
/ - gosas % page ts - volasss - Zee
I teas s~relsty Years yls~- 8. szvs sora
as a afasAsss.sa --sFe~ fasfs 3Espase 90 coa~
! ssssAusn." tA<s the valse thea SCI upoa