Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-09-17
AN ADDRESS TO FARMERS.

Because of this fact, we send you
this message. We know nothing about
farming. We have spent our lives in
finance. You know how to follow the
laws Of nature in such manner that the
earth is made to yield it's products. There
are other natural laws which must be
obeyed, in finance, If the products of Garth
are to be advantugeously sold, the value
of your lands constantly improved, and
prosperity developed in our midst. The
Monetary Trust is the trustee of many
men of moderate means, located in all
parts of the United States. and the in
stitution was established to battle against
the evil elements of Wall street. No pat
riotic thoughtful citizen would undertake
a crusade against the better elements of
Wall street. To do that would be acting
like the insane farmer of Kansas who
tried TO search out aud cut out the cords
of his own heart. As wheat is gathered
at Milwaukee or Chicago for relistribu-
tion, so monetary transactions must con
centre at some point, in order that COM
prehcnsive finance may provide for grain,
cotton and other values. Occupying this
neutral position, therefore, between the
producing interests and the distributing
interests of the country, representing
those interests which are vital to the pros
perity of American farms and equally
vital to the prosperity of the genuine ele-
ments of Wall street, we are able to give
you an accurate understanding of the po-
litical and financial Influences which have
crushed us all down together.
In former years you received high prices
for farm products, and at the same time
you were paying high prices for shoes,
calico, plows, everything. At that time
we were all enjoying prosperity. We
were having a period of industrial aetiv-
ity. During such period all prices were
relatively high, because in such times
people, generally, have money, and buy
freely things to eat and things to wear.
During such period also speculation be-
comes active and advances prices. There
fore, in such times, legitimate eonsump-
ton and the greed of spectators work
together in your favor. During times of
depression, on the contrary. prices are low
because people cannot buy freely. What
we now need is general prosperity,
which will increase consumption. No
power on earth can sustain prices unless
consumption is increased or production
decreased. Consumption cannot increase
unless the people have money to expend
and people, generally, cannot get money
unless it circuates freely. Money only
| circulates freely when capitalists fee
safe in relying upon the good faith of the
people. when men trust each other, and
trust the laws and policies of their gov.
eminent. When capitalists are pcrplcxed
with doubt, or alarmed, they withdraw
their money from circulation, and til,
rate of interest always advances in exact
proportion that doubt and danger in
crease. In London, the tranquil centre Of
4 Old World civilization the rate Is onl,
] or 2 per cent, In New York city. OF
bond and mortgage, the rate is 4 OF 5
Travel one minute beyond our city limits
where values are more doubtful. and tn,
rate is O. Travel farther into State,
where values are still more doubtful, an,
the risk from local laws greater, and tn,
rate is 10 or II.
At this critical iuncture, because on,
political party boldly proclaims itself tn,
enemy of society aud hostile to existing
laws and courts. capital is literally fright
ened away from all enterprises. and mucl
money cannot be had at any rate of in
terest. II national calamity should cleo
Bryan, farm mortgages could not he re
newed on any terms, and the selling prize
OF farms would decline until they woul,
not bring the amount of the mortgages
The officers of this company have certain
personal acquaintances who recent,
planned to build beet sugar factories Il
Nebraska. Such manufactures w0ult
have given farmers in that locality Il mar
ket Tor one new product and better HON,
demand for all products; but capitalist
lUgn ttt,.tI ~.
their plan when Bryanism developed. No
long since, certain railroads were tryin,
TO secure money in Europe for improve
ments. The expenditure of that none
i'll that State, for example, would hav
given Nebraska merchants a better bust
ness and Nebraska farmers better honl
market. The foreigners We're afraid tina
they would not get back the same money
In exactly this way, money has been kep
out of every locality in the United States
When funds are high in the clutch q
suspicion and anxiety, we have stagna
ton, depression and suffering. Distrus
locks up money in vaults. Mr.. Bryal
says therc IS mot money enough, gold
cornered.' His ignorance of larg
finance is beyond conception. The busl
ness of the world is carried on by credit
The Monetary Trust, for example. is uci
ing as trustee in business transaction.
reaching total of many million dollar,
its officers never see gold. In financia
circles, where gold is always in reacl
ana where men trust each other, gold
never wanted. Adjustments are made b
checks, drafts and other instruments O
credit. Therefore It Is not more none
that is needed; it is confidence. No maj
| mo