Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-10-06

In volumei it has fallen in round num-
bers from 81, 600, 600, 600 in 1898 to
81 500, O00, 900 in 1896.
In this connection, the following
information from the report of the
Director of the United States mint
for 1895, concerning gold and silver,
is interesting and instructive;
Estimated gold in the world !. - osG, 500, coo
Estimated silver in the world. 4,OIO,5UO.OOO
Estimated gold in the United 80 ,oo ooo
States pio.lOO'OOO
Estimated silver in the United
States... --.-.---..-.. bSo,OOO,UUu
Estimated stock of money, per capita, III the
United States laet year:
Gold. So 7s Silver. IS 50 Paper. So 99
Amount of gold coined in the
United States, 1792-lS96 -.....S 81 1y2 ,OOJ,uOO
Amount of silver coiued in the
United States, 1792-1S96- $500 6S7,OOO,OOO
Amount of gold. silver and u
Der currency in the United
States (including that in the
treasury). ........ {, 345. 600, 900
Amount of gold, silver and pa
per in circulation in the
/ United States ......-.....-.1 800, OOO,OOO
Money in the United States, per
capita, Gncluding that in 90
Money 10 the United States, per
rapita, in circulation. 81 10
The above shows that there is
about an equal amount of gold and
siIver,,in this country and in the world.
The decentralization or taking out of
circulation of either would reduce
the money about one-half, which
would bring on further depression of
business.
until this campaign, no great
political party has declared for gold
and a single standard. Washington,
Adams, Hamilton, jefferson and
other eminent men of the same period
differed widely on many things. but
all were of one accord in the estab-
lishment and maintenance of a
double standard, of gold and silver.
Thecharge is freely madebyRepub-
licans that Bryan's election would
demoralize business, injure property
and affect values unfavorably. There
is nothing in Mr.. Bryan's record to
cause such apprehension, but if
there was, responsibility makes men
cautious and conservative. 1t is not
tile first time that q party has at
tempted for political ends to brighten
the people into believing that the sue
cess of it's opponent would bring dis
aster upon the country. During the
memorable contest between the Fed
e~ralists and Democrats, when Adams
represented the NewEngland idea of
finance and government, and Jeffer-
son was on the other side, t~herewas an
effort on the part of Adams support
ers to arouse the same apprehension
among the people IL was said that
jefferson was an infdel from the hills
of Virginia, knew comparatively
nothing about finance or business,
that he prated too much upon ''the
rights of the people," had put forth
the principle that ''all men are crea-
ted equal,'' and if elected the bust
ness interests of the country would
suffer, property would become
depressed, and the government would
be in danger. Notwithstanding this
he was elected, and reelected,
and to this day the country honors
his memory. Again, when the great
struggle came between the Wings and
Democrats, when jackson and CLAY
were pitted against each other, it
was urged by the Wings and others
who favored the monied interest,
including the United States Bank,
that jackson was from the far West,
did not understand the interest of the
whole country, a purely a military
man. pointed t O the fact that lie had
hung two men without law or jury,
that he had had no experience in
civil affairs, and said that he would
usurp powers that did not belong to
the Executive, and that the govern
.azI rra,,Il In nnunfn in lITp pnntrnl
and yet he was twice elected, and
made a model President. When Lin
coin was a candidate, those opposed
TO him used the argument that he was
la Western man, without experience
I in governmental matters, that he and
his supporters were sectional in their
views, and under his administration
the country would go to the dogs
you know the result. The same fears
were alleged by the opponents of
General Grant when he was a candi-
date-that he was a purely military
leader, and that his election would be
fraught with evil consequences.
1 gather from these a%nalogies that
there is nothing alarming in the cry
of danger to property and vested
rights if Bryan is elected, and that
the statement is intended to infu-
ence capital and timid voters.
For campaign purposes, the Re-
publicans charge the Democrats with
being Populists, etc. but this should
have no influence upon the issues in
VOWED, nor weaken party allegiance.
II the members of any party, Pop
ulist or Republican, find more to
commend in the principles of the
Democratic party than in thier own,
they have a right to vote for the can
didate of their choice.
The Democratic party has existed
since the days of Washington. 1t
has had the confidence of the people
in a remarkable degree, has been
charged and trusted with the
control of the government for about
seventy years, or two-thirds of its
existence, and the country prospered
greatly under its administration of
affairs. 1t has seen the rise and fall
of many political organizations, and
judging the future by the past, it will
continue on in its efforts for the lib
erty and prosperity of the people.
Very truly yours,