The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-12-31
THE GOLD STANDARD
An Answer to Resolutions Adopted by tns
Nashville (renn.) Convention OF the red
erstion OF Labor -Isrief statement of
the Views Held by the Secretary


WASHINGTON. Dee. 2S.-Secretary
Gage has written the following letter
to President Gompers OF the Fedora
ton Of Labor:
II have read with care the resolu-
tons adopted the goth instant at Nash
Vile by the convention OF the Fedora
ton OF Labor, which rccites as fol-
lows:
-.Resolred. That we declare ourselves most
positively opposed to the Gaze financial bill
recently introduced in congress by the secre-
tary OF the treasury. IL Is u measure that' IL
adopted as a law. Will only the more firmly ri'et
the gold standard on the people OF the country
and perpetuate its disastrous effects IN every
form
Resolced, That we pronounce the Gage bill
an undisguisci effort 10 retire our greenbaek
currency and all government paper money. Win
a view to the substitution OF national BANK
notes In their stead, and thus fasten the na-
tonal bank system for years upon the Ameri-
can people.
Now, if it be true that the gold
standard-by which things have been
measured as 10 price for the last 60
years in this country-is ininical 10
the interests of the laboring classes OF
the United States, then | think 1T Is
inimical to all classes. In other words,
l do not believe that the exploitation
of one class by another, either through
false weigh Is, partial laws, or a bad
monetary system can be made TO work
for the permanent benefit of the
exploiting class itself, or for the gem
eral veal. even were it defensible on
any ground of right or justice, which
is not granted. Therefore, if
the permanence of the gold standard
(for which | argue) operates in this
evil direction, then your resolutions OF
condemnation are well founded, and l
am justly charged either with an
ignorance which constitutes me fool
ish adviser, or with perversity OF mo-
tive. which makes me an evil adviser.
Il have right to disavow the charge
of perversity or evil purpose, since
/ there is nothing in my whole life rs re-
1 lated to my fellow men. either in work
or deed, from which the possession by
me OF such characteristics can be in
ferred. much less demonstrated.
"But, ignorance often unconsciously
works as deep injury as evil intent
-
IL it be sin, | must confess myself tc
be posi- BILE victim. This confession
however, ought not to classify me a:
separate from my fellow men gener
aliy-whether they be considered "a
individual units or as congregated il
groups.
Ignorance is n relative, not an alb
solute, term. since few are totally ig
norant, and none is absolutely wise
Nor does the mum Der constituting tn,
group change this fact, since the wis
dom of a group. however large. canno
be greater than that of the wisest mar
in it.
"This remains true, whether tn
subject matter involving knowledg,
and judgment be astronomy, physic
or finance. The condemnation, then
involved in the resolutions referred
to is measured by the just or imper
feet apprehension of questions relatin.
to monetary science held by the wises
men who supported them.
Laying these general considers
tons aside let me say to you, an
through you, to the great body you s.
honorably represent, that, If instea
Of denunciatory resolutions. which ar
not arguments, you or anyone on you
behalf will show that the views | ell
tertain and advocate are other tina
salutary to the great economic body q
which we are all independent men
bers. | will abandon them withou
hesitation. My present conviction
The honest fruit of sincere stud
aud reflection, is that breakdown i
our present money standard. would |
a most disastrous blow to all our con
mercal and industrial interests. an
that upon the wageworlkers, as n elias
would be entailcd the most serious e
fects of the disaster believing this.
must SO bear witness"
: Monument to Gen. BelNnap Turned Ov
: to the Government.
~. ~ l,a