The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-23
GAGE DEFENDS
THE GOLD STANDARD
Writes IN Reply 10 Federation Of
L0D01 Resolutions.
PRICES MEASURED IN GOLD FOR SIXTY YEARS
Does Not Believe Il lnlmieal TO Interests
OF lah0rlng Glasses.
Exploitation orOno Glass by Another
Cannot Work Permanent Adynus
tnge 10 the Exploiting CInss-The
Secretary Disnvow- PcrvcrsIty OF
Purpose, Eut Admits IIe Mny Not
he "s Wise as Some Osher Pooplo-
Chnlfcng @ TO His Critics.
Washington, D. C., Dec. 90 ISL.

Secretary Gage has written the fol-
lowing letter to President Gompers, Of
the Federation OF Labor:
have read with care the resolutions
adopted the 10Th instant at Nashville by
the convention of the Federation Of
Labor. which recitc as follows:
RESOLVED, That we declare ourselves
most positively opposed to the Gage
financial bill recently introduced in
Congress by the Secretary Of the Trca.
sury 1t Is n measure that, IL adopted
us a law, will only the more firmly
rivet the gold standard on the people
or the country and perpetuate Its dis
astrous effects IN every form.
Resolved, That we pronounce the
Gage bill an undisgusted effort to re-
tire our greenback currency and all
Government paper money. with u view
10 the substitution of national bank
notes IN their stand, and thus fasten
The national: bank system for wears
upon the American people,"
NOW IL 1t be true that the gold stand
hru-oy which things have been meas
ureu as 10 price for the last sixty years
IN this country-is inimical to the in
terests OF the laboring classes of the
United states, then think it is inimcal
70 All classes. In other words l do
not believe that the exploitation of one
class by another, either through false
welShtS, partial laws or bad mcue-
thry system, can be made to work for
the permanent benefit Of the exploiting
class Itself, or for the general veal
even were 1t defensible on any ground
or right or Justice, which II is not.
h,%
ence Of the gold standard Tor which I
arGue) operates in this evil direction.
then your resolutions of condemna-
ton are well founded and am Justly
charged, either with an Ignorance
Whlch constitutes ME foolish adj
wiser, or with perverslty OF motive
Wnlch makes me an evil adviser
l have a right to disavow the charge
OF perversity or evil purpose, since
thcre Is nothing in my whole life as
related to my fellow mer, either in
word or deed. from which the possess
sion by me of euch characteristics can
De inferred, much less demonstrated
But Ignorance often unconsciously
works as deep injury as evil intent
might DO, nnd to this sin OF ignorance
uf 1t be n sin) 1 must confess myself
10 be possible victim. This confes-
slce1, however, ought not to classify me
as separate from my fellow men gene
rally. whether they be considered az in
diV1dual units or as congregatcd in
groups. Ignorance is a relative, not an
absolute term, since few are totally ip
norant and none is absolutely wise
Nor does the number constituting the
group change this fact. since the wis
dom OF group. however large, cannot
be greater than that OF the wisest man
in It.
This remains true whether the sub
)ect matter involving knowledge and
Judgment be astronomy, physics or
finance. The condemnation then in
tolved In the resolutions referred to IS
measured by the just or imperfect an
prehcnsion OF questions relating to
monetary science held by the wiscst
men who supported them.
Laying these general consideratio
aside, let me say to you, and through
you to the great body you so hcc,orably
represent, that IL instead of denun-
ciatory resolutions, which are not ar
gument, you or any one on your behalf
will show that the views l entertain
and advocate are other than salutary to
the great economic body of which we
are all independent members, will
abandGa them without hesitation. NV
present conviction, the honest fruit of
sincere study and reflection, Is that q
break down In our present money
standard would be a most disastrous
blow to all our commercial and indus
trial interests, and that upon the wage
workers, as a class would be entailed
the most serious effects of the disaster.
believing this. must so bear witness.