St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-05-15
The Duty of the Hour.

That form of government under
which most people are contented to
lead orderly and useful lives, and
with the least possible friction to
solve the problems of business, and
to pursue happiness in their own
way, was long ago counted the
most excellent Of all systems OF gov
eminent Without discussion the |
form OF government in the United !
States at the present time is deemed
by us to fall within the limits OF this
definition. There is friction here and
there undoubtedly, and always will
be until human beings rise to higher
planes; but on the whole humanity
has never seen so little distress as
today; never enjoyed the ease and
comfort of existence as in this last
decade of the 10Th century.
Ourpolitical affairs at this moment,
it is true, are mewhat awry but
they have been there before and we
have survived shipwreck and disaster
through the latent good sense of the
people; and they will not fail us this
season. However complex the prob
lem, however remote the final solu-
ton, we are sustained by stout
conviction that the people will rise
to the occasion, do their work well
and beat off the forces that threaten
the countrv's existence. What
chiefly concerns us at this time are
some hgh-handed and mischievous
financial errors that need heroic
treatment. They demand instant
attention, and will get it at the con-
ventions about to assemble. The
duty of the hour to some minds is
clear enough and the country will
soon divide on this issue. There can
be no reasonable doubt of this at
this writing and the time is quite
opportune for the contest, that in
the nature of things has been deemed
for some time inevitable. Regrets
and makeshifts are no longer In
order now or never is the approprl-
ate time to consider questions involv-
ing common honesty, No sort OF
confidence in the intention and ability
of both government and people to
stand bv their contracts can be sus'
tanned, if certain loose and untena'
BILE opinions about some government
and business obligations get per
manent footing. Whatever else may
press for recognition, permanence ii
his rights and property must be con
coded every man. Anything les
than this is certain to breed distrus
and confusion, All trucking ant
hagging for advantage are un
worthy of US and can only add t.
our ills. There can be but one roya
road, on which the simplest prime
pies of correct dealing can lead us t.
any sort of success worth the notice
This may sound like platitude, bu
it is a truth nevertheless continual
forgotten, when nothing, it may /
said, can be more sane.
Gold, for many ages, has bee
accounted for many reasons a mos
convenient form of exchange. VIII
this is so doesn't concern us here;
is enough that we trust it as a
undisputed fact. 1t is customa1
medium OF exchange well nigh Ut
versal in the settlement of balance
to change which is idle to atteml
and impossible to effect, Silver al
paper properly sustained in the co
hdence of the people are valuat
auxiliaries, and no arguments a
needed to prove their influence
promoting business relations.
But, unhappily, arguments
needed to show many people tn
their values are contingent up
conditions not always easily in &C
troll. The battle this season see
destined to rage to and fro o.
silver in the first degree, with pa
as possible second. In the fury
discussion it will be in order for
parties to maintain due equilibri
Of temper. The country will not