West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-10-22

81 & ~
lobby was 4nie>cent. aud ID facl
b&njsbcd from tue corridors and
halls Of Legislation. You never were
poro mistaken in your life. was
there, and l will give you solemn
affidavit that never saw the lobby
more riotous with insolence and dis
order. do not blame the Republi.
cans alone for this disgraceful fact;
because many of the lobbyists were
Democrats. But, Senator, is It worth
while TO distort the facts of history
for no other purpose than TO advance
political interests9 / rather think
not.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, am compelled to de-
muir TO your abatement that under
thirty years of Republican rule this
country has enjoyed an era of unex-
ampled prosperity. That our material
wealth and our population have in
creased with unexampled rapidity, is
certainly true. But, Senator, you
overlook the important fact that it is
not the accumulation but the distribu-
ton of wealth that makes the prosper
ity of a Republic. "Monarchies, says
Montesquieu, die of poverty; Repub-
lies of wealth" There always have
been and always will be inequalities 10
the private fortunes of individuals.
These inequalities arise from different
endowments as to energy, sagacily,
thrift and environment But what the
humblest American citizen has right
10 demand is that our government shall
not enter into partnership with any
class of citizens, whereby private inter.
ests shall override the public good
through the instrumentality of legisla.
ton. If for example. the natural law
of supply and demand would insure to
me, who am engaged in agriculture.
certain amount of legitimate profit,
what right has the legislature to 90 in
to partnership with another class Of
manufacturers, TO divert my profits in
TO another mans pocket? Or if have
contracted a debt in legal tender cur
rency, much deprecated, what right
has the legislature to step in and en-
act that | shall pay that debt in gold,
thus enriching my creditor by pub
lie gratuity, and doubling my burden
for his benefit.
Or let me apply this reasoning to
public transactions: cannot better
illustrate the principle am attempt
ing to enforce than by quoting the Ian
guage Of Abraham Lincoln:
eff government contracted debt
with certain amount of money of cir
culation, and then contracted the mon
ey volume before the debt was paid, it
is the most heinous crime that gov
eminent could commit against the peo-
pie. "--Abrham Lincoln.
Now / charge that the Republican
party, during the thirty years of what
you call unexampled prosperity, has
violated the fundamental principles of
popular self-government by these three
prominent Contraction. Pro.
lection and characterization. These
measures have all been in the interest
of the few at the expense of the many.
The result has been that you have
built up an olgarchy of wealth in this
country which now seeks to rule or
ruin it. The natural distribution of
profits has been so diverted by legisIa-
ton that the enormous increase in our
ealth has been congested into few
great money centres, and the mass of
the people have grown poorer than
ever before.
Senator, has your attention ever
been directed to a pamphlet published
by the Forum, and contributed by
Thomas G. Shearman, called "Great
American Fortunes?" I advise YOU
to read it. II is sad commentary
upon our boasted prosperity under Re-
publican rule. have already called
your attention to few of Mr.. Shear
mans conclusions.
There are good many people who refer
to Thomas Jefferson's writings and opin-
ions, who are really ignorant OF both. Up
on the subject of the currency, he who,
with full knowledge OF Mr.. Jefferson's
views as disclosed by his writings, would
claim him as a monometallist should be
set down either as an imposter or lunatic
At every moment Of his political life.
Jefferson favored bimetallism In a letter
written to John Adams in 1876. he saws.
Tracy Is, in my judgment the ablest
writer on intellectual subjects, or the op-
erations of the understanding. He has
lately published third work on Political
Economy, in which all its principles are
demonstrated with the severity Of Elclid.
and like him without using a supernuous
word. l have procured this o be transIa-
ted and have been four years endeavo-ing
TO get IL printed, but as yet without sue
cess Finally, however, be succeeded in
having II printed, and launched Il before
the public with an introduction In which
he stamps upon Il the imprimater Of his
entire approval. and says: 1t goes forth
with nay hearty prayers"
From this work, which in my eaRerness
TO omit nothing from my reading which
Jefferson has written. have been fortu-
nate enough 10 obtain, I make the follow
ing extract: The precious metals. which
are Of those things (commodities) become
soon this common measure. because they
have many advantages for this Dnrsose
However they are not yet money. Itisthe
impression Of the sovereign which gives this
quality TO piece OF metal, establishing It's
weight and iEeness.
Silver money i the only truo common
measure