The Lamar register., 1896-08-29
The Danger Line.

/. asking the -goldbug editor OF the Reg
ister' TO explain the cause OF the demon
etization Of silver, by the republicans in
lsI3 We would much prefer the gen
tleman would seek his information from
an ablar source, for there is too much in
this matter TO give 1t justice in a short
newspaper article. At this time the
country IS full Of ofinformation and anyone
able to read can find authentic know
ledge upon both sides of all questions lie
desires to know about
No honest, intelligent campaign writer
or orator now has anything 10 say about
the decentralization OF silver ia 1878 The
absolute falsity Of that statement was
shown up 80 plainly during the last ses-
sion Of congress, 10 the discussion over
the silver legislation, that the silver adj
yocates were glad 10 drop the matter en-
tIrely there. The most dangerous enemy
democrat has ever found 10 contend
with IS books and records The future
= always full OF promise with them. but
tbs past they would bury in oblivion n
they could. The records in Washington
show that silver was sdemonetized ia lsO6.
practically. and by President Thomas
Jefferson Not 10 go into detail for want
Of space we will quote the order made
by him, which is a matter OF record:
.DErAEIHENr oS STATE. May :. fslG.
from the Director of tho Bank Of the United
siatea, that considerable purchases have been
made Of dollars coined a. the mint for the pur-
pose ef exporting them, and 1t l. probable fur
thfF purchases and export afi0ns viii be- made.
W Prestdent directs Inst all the silver 10 te
eSiu~d AZ the mint shall bc of small dcnumina-
tions, - that the value Of the smallest piece
shall not cxercd half dollar.
stEnedg IkMEa MADISON. Secretary Of State.
To hobEEr PArrEEeuN. Director VI Mint
No more silver dollars were coined from
lsoo to ls;tO-S9 years by the arbitrary
mandate OF democratic idol, Thomas
jefferson. In 1884 congress passed law
changing the ratio between gold and sill
yer To about 10 10 1, with the avowed
purpose plainly stated by Thomas Ben
ton, Andrew jackson, Daniel Webster
and John g. Calhoun, great statesmen all
OF them, OF placing this country upon n
gold standard Of value. We would like
10 quote some paragraphs from some OF
their speeches made at that time. but
want Of space will not permit. From
1885 TO 1873 there were coined, in silver
sdr2s,5, 5,52l; in gold $50, ,l3i, ,375.
The act Of 1873 was simply to provide
Tor the resumption OF specie payments
again upon gold standard OF value. so
stated in all the speeches made very
plainly. Senator Stewart took very
prominent part and made some radical
gold standard speeches which we would
also like to print 1t took three years TO
pass that act, and probably no law ever
passed was more fully discussed by con-
gress and the press Of the day. No ore
wanted the silver dollar then, but the $50
called" trade dollar was created for the
purpose OF building up our trade with
China and Japan. Failing to do that, in
1878 congress substituted the act provid-
ing for the coinage again OF the standard
silver dollar, making it full legal tender
and on a parity with gold. From 1892 to
1873 We coined 5000, rs standard silver
dollars. From 1873 TO 1896 we have
coined Si3O,T90,Oii standard silver dol
lars, each one equal in value to the gold
dollar, made so by the credit OF the gov
ernment irrespective of the commercial
value of silver.
In regard to the prices Of all products
falling one half since 1873, owing to the
fall in the price OF silver, that is simply
the cry OF the demagogue. Some products
have fallen in price owing to ooverproduc-
tion, following the law of supply and
demand" Others have held their own.
Silver had about as much to do with il
as the moon. Also the fall in prices be
gan in 1865, not in 1873, From 1909 to
lS65-56 years had first tremen-
dous fall in prices, far below what we
have at present, followed by great rise;
but the commercial value of silver in ali
that time varied but small per cent.
In 1900 we had a period of high prices
Our circulation amounted to SIG, 100000;
our population was 5,3oS, ,4S3, so we had
N.~ T..