Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-10-02

The price OF farm products are ho"
very low, so low, in fact, that it does no
in many cases pay the farmer to cultivate
his land. The Silveriie tells the farmer
that this state of affairs was brought a
bout by the decentralization OF silver ant
that the remedy is the free and unlimit
ed coinage of silver at l6 to l.
1t is evident that what he claims to be
the characterization Of silver is all myth
There is no foundation for his assertion.
He says it took place in 1873, and we
have had years OF the greatest prosperity
since that time, fact which entirely
disproves his theory.
What the farmer wants is an increased
demand for his products. The demand
will naturally increase the price. An
increased demand will be caused by an
increased consumption. The lack OF
consumption is evidently the result sf
the lack of employment Of those who
have heretofore bought and consumed
the products of the farm.
What has caused the lack Of employ
ment? In our OPT MON it is caused by the
loss Of confidence in the currency with
which we are threatened by the silver
ties.
What we most need has been scared
off by their attacks upon the currency oil
the country. We want capital actively
employed in business. Silverites may
tell YOU that we need more currency,
but it is not fact. There are millions
OF capital lying idle that is waiting for
an opportunity for investment, but it
will not be invested so long as there Is
danger OF loss by change in the stand
ard of value OF the currency. The
farmer wants dollar Of the greatest,
not the least. purchasing value.
IL he sells hundred dOllars worth oil
produce he is willin to take an indiVid
ual check for it. He deposits that check
in ban X to his credit, and gives his own
check to his merchant. He may not see
one dollar in currency. The check was
written by an individual. He does not
want a check for one hundred dollars
that will purchase only fifty dollars
worth of goods, but he wants a check
that will purchase one Hundred dollars
worth OF goods, one hundred dollars
worth of fertilizer, or whatever he wishes
to buy. Making the currency worth but
one-half what it is worth, increases the
nominal value of his products, but does
not increase the real value, Within the
last two weeks the price OF wheat has
advanced eight cents. That encreases
the farmers profit, because the money he
receives for his wheat will buy an in
creased quantity OF goods, but had this
advance in price been caused by the
depreciation of the currency, he would
have received no benefit by it. 1t would
have benefited him no more than cutting
down the capacity Of his measures, with
a corresponding reduction of prices.
Give us a currency in which the world
| has confidence, and in our opinion, tladt
will be resumed, idle hands will be EN-
ployed. the demand for products will be
increased and prosperity will sgSir
enliven our people.
The sooner this craze for debasec
and deprecated currency passes away
the sooner will business be restored to 1T
normal condition. When all are employ
ed the markets will stiffen up and not
only the farmer but all classes will en-
JOY the change.
When this Idea of making money on
OF nothing is fully exploded, everybod!
will endeayor to make money in the ole
way. IL we wait for the free and un
limited coinage Of silver to bring pros
perity to our people,we will wait In vain
Many ofus will have passed over tn
liver before that day will come.