The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-15

ferson rose. bowed politely, handed the
visitor a chair and asked him to be
seated. After placing his gun in a cor
ner of the room and glancing approvingly
at himself in a small mirror which hung
on the wall. the. young man sat down;
Mr.. Jefferson had laid aside his pen and
in an expectant attitude waited for the
visitor to speak.
so you are Thomas Jefferson, Secretary
of State, are your said the young man.
YES" said Mr.. Jefferson. land may 1
ask to what 1 am indebted for the honor
of this visit?"
We'll" said the young man, my name
is Bryan. and where 1 live they call me
the Boy Orator of the Susquehanna. / have
pretty tired"
At this Mr.. Jefferson rose, and excusing
himself, disappeared, returning in a few
moments with a pitcher of water and a
glass. which he filled and handed the Wis
itor. After it had been emptied he sat
Down again and asked the young man if
he would kindly state the object of his
visit.
II see."' said the young man, that you
and Colonel Hamilton have been having
some correspondence about the establish
ment of a mint and a monetary system for
this country"
Yes said Mr.. Jefferson. I'VE have been
giving the matter some attention"
D you think Colonel Hamilton knows
anything about it?" asked the visitor.
IT regard Colonel Hamilton as a man of
rare parts and real genius for public af-
fairs" said Mr.. Jefferson. His knowledge
Of fnance seems to be intuitive, and 1 know
of no person in the country more capable
Of ting "A inst SySfpn nf American
coinage"
do you know anything about it your
self?" asked the young man.
Mr.. Jefferson smiled good naturally and
said, Perhaps not much, but / have made
it a rule of my life to know something
about many matters, and / trust L know
something in a general way of the prin-
ciples of finance. May 1 ask if you have
any suggestions to offer on the subject"
Eyes. / have replied the young man. Il
have been thinking about the matter some,
and, If / understand what you and Colonel
Hamilton are driving at. 1 wish to say 1
don't approve of it,"
All said Mr.. Jefferson blandly, Twill
you be kind enough to state your point
somewhat more fully?"
We'll" said the young man. II see it
stated that you and Colonel Hamilton are
agreed that in whatever coinage system
the United States may adopt the legal ratio
of silver and gold should conform as nearly
as possible to the commercial ratio. Is
that so?"
Those are Colonel Hamilton's views"
replied Mr.. jefferson, and 1 am in full
accord with him."
ALLOW me to call your attention to some
thing 1 will read said the young man,
and he read the following:
The proportion between the values of
gold and silver is a mercantile problem
altogether. Just principles will lead us to
inquire into the market price of gold In the
several countries with which we shall prin-
cipally be connected in and take
the average of them
Colonel IIamilton's views as we'll as your
OWN"
Mr.. Jefferson said the passage read was
from a paper which he had written. and
that Colonel Hamilton conceded fully with
him in the view expressed.
Then" said the young man. A 1 have
to say is that you and Colonel Hamilton
are totally wrong. l am glad to find my
suspicious confirmed. for / have walked
here from the upper Susquehanna for the
express purpose of telling you that you and
Colonel Hamilton are entirely mistaken in
this matter. II we are to have national
coinage let US start right. That means
that the ratio between silver and gold
should be liked by law without any refer
erce whatever to the commercial value of
the metals. / think it ought to be 10 to
l to correspond with the decimal system"
Have you made any investigation of the
ratio of coinage as 1t prevails in other
countries or have you considered the diff
Guilty of keeping gold and silver in %circula-
ton together under a false ratio?' asked
Mr.. Jefferson.
mo. sir" answered the young man,
somewhat sharply. II do not care any
thing about other countries. 1 want a dis
tinctly American system. Why should we
ask the consent of other countries in es-
tablishing a ratio Of coinage? / understand
you wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Is that true?"
Mr.. Jefferson said he had had some part
in formulating the document.
Then what was the war for" said the
young man. .if we are stillsto be the fnan-
cial slaves of England? The fact that
Great Britain and other foreign countries
are trying to make the monetary ratio be-
tween gold and silver ccin conform to the
commercial ratio is sufficient reason why
this country should not do so. If We are
to be truly independent Of Great Britain
we must be independent in every respect.
We must not recognize any laws. theories.
axioms or principles in politics. religion or
finance thai are recognized in that hated
country
"But do you not think" suggested Mr..
Jefferson, that a commercial question of
this kind should be settled on commercial
principles?'
NO. sir" promptly replied the young
man. II think it should be settled on pa
triotic principles. You and Colonel Hamil-
ton do not seem 10 have got hold of the
true American idea. Sir. j am forced to
conclude that you and Colonel Hamilton
are incapable of understanding the true
meaning of American independence, or else
that you are enemies of your country"
With that the young man put on his hat,
picked up his gun and left.
Mr.. Jefferson sat for a few moments as
If thinking. then smiled and resumed his
writing.