The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-01-08
Washington ID. c. Silver Knieht.l
RUSSIA'S OBJECT LESSON.

The object lesson presented by the
generous offer of Russia to furnish
money TO the United States must not
be lost It is grand manifestation
of the continued friendship of the
only great power of the world which
has at all times and under all circum-
stances extended aid and comfort to
the people of the United States. Such
q generous offer at this time, when
the United States is groaning under
the British yoke of financial bondage,
must be appreciated. But the ques-
-ssion arfsss: How is it that the great
republic whfes-e. few years ago was
paving its war de6c~Sith marvellous
rspidity, and whose credit stood first
of all the nations OF the earth, should
now be an object of sympathy or
charity on account of our failing
credit and growing poverty? Fifteen
years ago the credit and financial
standing of our great European and
Siberian friend could not have been
compared with ours. What has
made this great and marvellous
changes There is but one answer:
Russia has enjoyed financial inde-
pendence, while the United States
has been governed by an English
gold syndicate. The silver rouble
is the unit of account in Russia. The
circulation in that country is paper,
and good legal tender money is is
sued in sufficient quantity to keep it
on parity with silver bullion at
ratio of Is l-2 to between the two
metals. The difference of exchange
between the mo. ey in actual circu-
lation in Russia and the gold stan
dard countries has been the same as
the difference of exchange between
India and the far East, and Paris and
London.
The Russia farmer has sent his
bushel of wheat to Liverpool and re-
ceived an ounce of silver therefor,
which in his own country was worth
at least S1.30. The American farmer
sends his bushel of wheat to the
same market and receives an ounce
Of silver therefor, which in his owp
country is worth only fifty cents.
This same principle operates for the
benefit of all exports of Russia,. aid
operates as tax or tariff npoesSs::,, 81 !,
imports into that country. Previous
to the denomination of silver, which
created this difference of exchange,
the production of wheat and cotton
in the Orient, in competition with
the United States was unheard OF,
and Russia was feeble rival of the
United States in supplying Europe
with farm products. But the differ
enee of exchange has made Russia
great. It has stimulated her exports,
retarded imports. and enabled her
TO accumulate vast boards Of gold.
while the gold standard has impov-
erished the great republic, compelled
her farmers and planters to sell at
roinous gold prices in competition
with Russia and Asia, who are abun.
dainty supplied with good money.
In Russia and Asia a stability of
prices stimulates industry and accu.
mulates wealth. In the United States
falling prices paralyze industry and
increases the poverty OF the people.
In a few sbo,t years America has be-
come a financial pauper, dependent
upon the tender mercies of the Shy
locks of London, while Russia has
grown rich and powerful by the sim
pie process of furnishing her people
with honest money.
If Mr.. Cleveland was not protected
by dullness of sensibility and a |
heartless disregard for the American
people, which puts to shame the
hardihood of Nero fdolirg while
Rome was burning, the fact that he
is pauperizing his country, and max
ing it an object OF charity by depriv-
ing the people of money would make
him cry out for the rocks and noun
tains to fall upon him and hide him
from the view of man. We rejoice