The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-10-23

cut writes that Andrew jackson aas
been frequently quoted rs geld bug,
and asks almost in the tone Of . chal-
lenge that anything public or private
over his signature warranting such
claim be cited. There are many ut
terances. public and private. from Old
Hickory that ximost entitls him to the
honor Of being the original gold bug,
But the subjoiaed letter from that
staunch old Democrat, who would turn
over in horror in his grave Il he knew
that Bryan, with AL his isns, was
wearing the cloak Of Democracy, will
probably suffice, unless the aforesaid
esteemed correspondent is overly
greedy.
This letter was addressed by Pres
dent jackson to the grandfather OF Mr..
Herzog. of New York city, who recent
ly handed it to the Evening Post. 1t
has lain fogotten in the possession of
the family for sixty years.
Washington, D. c.. Dec 20, 1886. ~
Dear Sir; Tie beautiful pen and pes
ell so ingeniously and elegantly blend
ed wirh the case of gold which forms
the handle, presented by you in behalf
of Henry Withers Of New York. is re.
ceived bv me with grateful sense of
the affectionate feeling expressed in the
inscription. The many marks of kind
regard Of this sort by which the agri-
culturists, artisans and artists have in
dictated their attachmedt to me have
deeply impressed my heart, and add
the force of kindred sympathies to the
respect and confidence which | have
ever cherished for the producing class
es. With them rests the well-balanced
intelligence, the contaminated dcmes-
tic virtues, the disinterested patriotism
and muscular energy which embodied,
constitute the living and active republi-
canism of the land; without this our
theories of free government would be q
dead letter. soon to be ovcrgrown and
lost undsr false constructions and prac-
tical abuses in the administration
am obliged to you for the favorable
manner in which you speak Of some of
nay late public measures, which the
pure and intrinsically valuable materi-
al of the useful and beautiful present
you tender gives occasion to Introduce,
as you seem to think, not inaptly, The
useful and ornamental purposes to
which gold can be applied are the pro-
pcrties that give itreal value and rem
derthe demand for ituniversal. This
with other peculiar qualities, has made
it in all ages, throughout the world, the
standard of value. There is no frand
in gold; like the honest principles of
the founders of our governments, who
declare by constitutional provision the
precious metals to be the only money
of The republic, it is unchangeable, and
will do its Office well everywhere and at
all times; no alchemy can multiply it,
NO chartered privileges can give sudden
and unseen expansion or contraction to
its amount. Nature has set limits and
labor impatts an invariable value to it.
It is. therefore, the true representative
of the principles Of Justice and equality
which should enter into everything
that operates on on institutions, and
should be eyer insisted on by the in
dustrial classes as the actual circulat-
ing medium to bring CONTINUALLY to tbe1
test every species of circulating cur
rency. and to suppress the spurious pa
per system, resting on no solid sbasis,
and giving birth to frauds and stock
gambling, which tends SO much to es-
TRANCE our people from honest and use
full pursuits, AID all our legislation
from that primitive patriotism which
was once entirely directed to foster
them.
Accept the assurance of my respect.
Your most Obediednt servant,
ANDREW JACKSON.