The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1897-06-25
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
THE ORIGINAL DEMONSTRATION OF
SILVER WAS EFFECTED BY
JEFFERSoN'S ORDER.

nr Was at All Times opposed to Cheap
Money and Reputation Of Debts-Be4
lievcd That Coinage Ratio Should Stick
Close to the Market Ratio Favored Use
of Both Metals. but Showed a Moderate
Preference For Gold-Could Not Have
Stood on the Chicago Platform.
Thomas Jefferson was a patriot and
statesman of the highest order. 1t is
proper for all true Democrats to cele-
brate his birthday, April IS, and to
commemorate his many excellent quail
tiles, but why should those who voted
in 1896 to rcpudiatc debts and to cheap
en- our dollar by attempting to fix an
artificial ratio between gold and silver
widely different from the market ratio
meet to honor, or dishonor, Jefferson's
name? Is there anything in his writings
or his conduct to indicate that be would
have been a cheap money and repudia-
tion Democrat?
In 1883 Mr. J ,reusSE. wrote:
The proportion between the value Of gold
and silver is mercantile problem altogether.
a. . Just principles will lead US to disregard
legal proportions altogether, to inquire into
the market price of gold in the several coun-
tries with which we shall principally be con
nected in commerce and to take an average
from them.
Does this sound like the silver plank
of the Chicago platform?
l. - Fnl
ruary, 1899. Mr.. Jefferson expressed his
opposition to cheapening the dollar or
reducing the monetary unit. He said of
the dollar:
1 very much doubt right now to change the
value, and especially 10 lessen it. 1t would
lead to so easy mode of paying off their
debts = Should it be thought, however,
that congress may reduce the value of the dol
lar, l should be for adopting for our unit, in
stead of the dollar, either one ounce Of pure
silver or one ounce of standard silver, so as to
keep the prit of money a Part Of the system
Of measures weights and coins.
The original characterization Of sill
ver' was effected by the following or
der from Thomas jefferson:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, May g 1896.
SIR-In consequence CT representation from
the directors of the Bank Of the United States
that considerable purchases have been made
Of dollars coined at the mint for the purpose
Of exporting them, and as it is probable fur
ther purchases and expectations will be made,
the president (Thomas Jeferson) directs that
all silver to be coined at the mint shall be of
small denominations, so that the value of the
largest piece shall not exceed half dollar.
JAMES MADISON.
ROBERT PATTERSON, Esq,
| Director Of the Mint
Except 1000 pieces, no more silver
dollars were coined till after Andrew
jackson retired from the presidency.
| It is clear from jefferson 8 writings
| that he favored the use of both metals,
but only at their natural ratio in the
worlds markets He seems to have had
an instructive fear that people who wish
ed an "easy mode of paying off their
debts" would attempt to fix our coin
age system independent of the worlds
markets. His policy at all times was tc
stick close to the natural ratio
| His desire to ascertain the market IA.
tho between gold and silver and adopt
that as the legal ratio is shown again
in his supplemental notes, Works, edi-
ton of 1858, volume l, page ITO, written
in 1888 or 1884, when he suggests that
| the committee of the states be instructed
To appoint also proper persons to inquire
what are the proportions between the values
| of fine gold and fine silver at the markets o.
| the several countries with which we are Of
| may probably be connected in commerce, an6
what would be proper proportion here, hav
| ing regard to the average Of their values a
those markets and to other circumstances
and to report the same to the committee, by
them to be laid before congress.
jefferson framed and had passed by
the Virginia assembly q law by which
the value of the paper money of Amer
lea was settled Sin sterling money Of
the lawful money of England.
If Jefferson had been compelled tt
choose between the two metals, HI
would undoubtedly have taken gold. II
his "Notes" he observed that the higf
price which Spain paid for gold had ,
tendency to draw away gold and tt
leave us only silver. He thought, there
fore, that 1--WE might with safety lea1
to proportion somewhat above par fol
gold. -
Free silver Democrats are not Jeffer
son Democrats. They should eithe
abandon their false doctrines or worship
at another shrine.