Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1896-10-22

spite of legal enactments of parliaments
or congresses. Our hard times have
come from the general competition with
the countries of the whole globe into
which we are forced by cheapness and
facility of transDortation-from over-pro-
during good times, and from our own
social and politica! agitations. One Of
the chief causes of hard times to-
day is this agitation for a radical
change in the currency of the coun-
try. If the American people put down
by an overwhelming majority this agi-
tation-bury it out of sight-one chief
cause of hard times will be out of the
way. Other causes may remain. more
or less. That Of the general COMPETE
ton with all the nations of the earth
must remain. Good times, however,
may be expected to come back. even II
only gradually. The overproduction that
capitalists are anxious to do something
with their money-if it can he invested
safely; our wondrous natural resources
invite investments to develop thenl-and,
confidence, restored, the outlook is
bright. But the essential thing is con-
fidence. Today it is confidence that is
needed far more than an increase in the
volume of the currency. The volume of
the currency is large enough; to increase
it tictitiously, surely, will not help us.
Ninety per cent. of all business is done
without currency-by cheques and
drafts, of which the whole foundation IS
confidence. Those who suffer from
hard times-and they are the many
must hearken to reason. silence passion,
turn away from delusive remedies-and
the country will be again put on the road
to prosperity.
ask. is it honest to try to pay debts
with half the money which we received
when contracting them? National or prl-
vate, debts contracted upon, imam
cial system, such that those VINO
mercial value. and believed. as, they
could not at the time have helped
doing, that they would receive it
back at the same commercial value,
should be paid III. values of that same
financial system. That the great Amer
lean republic will as nation. declare to
compelling its creditors to lie. satisfied
with half, or little more of the money
they loaned to it-and go on record in
the eyes of the world as a broken-down,
bankrupt. repudiating nation. it is not
possible to believe. No one will say in
Justification of such possibility that
America is compelled by national poverty
say that she thinks of doing SO.
There ere hundred aspects of this
question which l do not touch upon. l
merely throw out some thoughts, which
show reasons for my own present po-
litical faith, and which may be OF some
| benefit to others in forming their own
| judgment. /.
may, Of course, be mista ken. But l
have come to look upon the present agl-
tation as the great test Of universal snf-
frage and popular sovereignty. Can the
people defend public honor and the in.
situations of the country at the polls. as
! they have done on the field of battle ::
| Can they be so calm and deliberate il.
their Judgment. SO careful to weigh all
| things in the scales of reason and. to
| avoid all rash experiments. that they
grave social and political problems:
| That is the question that is before US
| at the present moment.