Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-09-29
STANDARD OF VALUES.
CiViiized World Recognizes GoId-There
Can be no Double standard.

III would seem almost unnecessary IA
this time To refer to the question OF
standard of values as il relates I,
money the theory of any other stand
ard except that of gold having been 81
often exposed during the campaign o
Two years ago and so eXpressively saI
down on by the voters at the election
following, that a discussion of ii now
should be unnecessary. But as the
calamity organs are still bowling for
Tree silver at 10 to | and berating the
best system of finance ever experienced
by any nation we give a few facts con-
corning the standard of values:
Gold has been the recognized
standard FOR measuring values in the
business world for nearly hundred
years. Efforts have from time to time
been made TO create by law silver also
as standard land even paper), but
gold has vindicated its destiny as the
sole standard. Two standards, both
alike, yet different, is contradiction
In terms and an absolute imposs ility:
and SO gold is today the sole standard
Tor value In the commercial world, Sur
vlving all efforts from every source to
change its destiny and services as the
standard money metal. Gold derives
no value from any legal tender law,
nor government stamp. The stamp
put on it by the mint is the ascertain
ment that the weight and purity of the
coin is what the law requires.
All will concede that there must be
a standard for measuring values. The
same concession will be freely granted,
that there must be "A standard for meas
urlhg quantity; hence, we have the
standard bushel and its fractions, the
pound and its subdivisions;
Tor length we have the standard foot, |
with its aliquot parts and multiples
likewise the standard for time-thc |
hour, minute and second; the standard |
thermometer for heat and cold, and so |
orth, running clear through every de-
oartment of nature that must be meas
lred OF into elements suitable for the
intelligent comprehension of certain
ieiinte portions thereof. All are re-
iuced down to n known and accepted
primary integer-the ONE
he standard for expressing more or
ess of the given natural element. The
necessities and convcniences OF man
lave brought this about. And so in
values.
The evolution of the standard for
1alue places all financial and business
transactions down to a common meas
ire for all, now recognized to be so
much pure gold. The elements in gold
hat have caused it to be so recognized
y the largest portions of the civilized
World are in substance these: ,
There must be some standard for
alue. 2-That standard must have
market value as commodity, in ex-
hange for labor or other commodities
Independently OF any government fiat
nd independently of all legal tender
avs. 3-ltmust be durable standard
Different quantities OF the standard,
5 scattered over the world must be of o
he same kind or nature-that is, it :
lust be homogeneous. 5--It must have =
maximum of value in proportion TO I
IS bulk. ct must be as stable and U
onstant commodity as possible +
iold alone fulfills these conditions n
he civilized world has, therefore, II
etcrmined that the standard measure \
n value shall be gold. Such is the :
acognized common consent OF upwards 4
IA billion people, without a statute, .
greement OF any other binding force n
kept the commonly recognized and Y
onceded intrinsic properties of gold I,
self. :.