The herald., 1898-10-21
Sturdy Americanism From italy

While looking through the papers at the
Viensseux library this morning, my eye
you would not likely see, and which you
would doubtless take exception to, for you
have not got used, think, to being
hauled over the Goals in orthodox Euro
pean style. OF course l am aware that
partisan politics at home can be very mean
and resort to small, nasty tricks in the
hope to secure some advantage. But it il
cnterprislng editor or correspondent can
conjure with, be traduced in every possible
shape by ones own people, and quite another
to be obliged to meet with this sort of thing
on every hand in Europe. AT first, when
reading the slurs to be found here and there
felt vexed; next, when the war broke out,
and the slurs became outrageous abuse,
was angry. At last, when it appeared we
would make short work of Spain there fol-
lowed vituperation, often SO abusive as to
be amusing.
In view of the thousand indications re-
ceived during the two years of my stay in
Europe as to the real feeling of Europe for
the States--as they call us-l find myself
continually asking myself such questions as
these: Why is it that America continues to
bow the knee to old rotten aristocracies who
hold her in contempt! Why is it she arranges
her financial policy to the steady degrada-
the Strengthening of the money power over
here, which in reality holds the world in the
hollow of its hand-all excepting the great
republic, which, alas, is succumbing in a
way that should make all who love liberty
tremble?
used to think the Arena good deal of a
fanatic in the handling of the currency ques-
ton. What have seen and read in the Euro
pean press has convinced me that you of the
coast who still love iberty-who still have Il
certain degree of respect for those who labor
and have not yet reached that pass when
you regard toll and degradation as synono-
NOUS terms-will do we'll to heed its warn
ings in season. Also hope you find time
to read carefully The National Review,
edited by L. j. Maxse.
My years stay on the Atlantic coast led
me to believe that Thea west now holds the
championship of American liberties. The
east is completely hypnotized by the money
power of the Old World, England included.
of course. 1t is unit and the real auto
crat of the destinies OF many peoples.
Whether the ''Great Republic" herself can
steer an Independent course is perhaps Ques-
tionable, since she is not unit in purpose;
but is it not worth while to try, since liber-
ty itself is being jeopardized, so long as
America is losing ground and sinking into
less autocrat with no respect for aught save
only the amassing of gold and the tyrant's
power connected Herewith!
So much is said about this money question
being beyond the comprehension Of the COM
mon people. A minister, supposed to be
thoroughly educated, who devoted much
you the truth, Mrs. Todd, l don't understand
this money question.
l feel like saying to all such, "You should
wrestle with it till you do understand it.,
and then take your stand firmly by the side
of the people, whose money-and liberty
at the same time-is feing filched from them.
freedom and the things that make for iber-
ty? A few sturdy people like Daniel and
his two friends may serve God according to
the dictates of their consciences under any
circumstances, but the majority when cum
ningly. ensnared, as today, will step down
the ladder of acquisition and manliness very
fast; develop quickly serf-like tendencies.
Surely, even an easy-going fool should un-
derstand enough concerning the now pretty
well developed money slavery to know on
which side of it he should take his stand.
Easy enough for very limited intelligence
to comprehend, one would think, that dear
money makes cheap people; that uncertain
of money for that materials tendency to
place that money on gambling basis, where
the many lose, the few win. Well, now,
America was first subjected to contraction
process, which enhanced the value of her
coin and depressed that of her toilers.
Next her coin base was narrowed from
double broad gauge standard to a narrow
one, consisting of the one metal, gold. Now
this narrow gambling basis is controlled by
the gold ring whose interest it is to make
money dear and its value uncertain. Con-
trolling, as they do, the money of the peo-
pies of civilization, they are the real rulers,
and as they know enough-which the people
do not. as yet-to pull together, they are the
real car.
Possibly it may be, for England's interest
to keep on gold basis, since she established
herself on it so long ago as 1915, and has
monopoly of gold coin-though it may cost
her the loss of India if she does not let up
in her exactions on that unhappy country.
But for America to initiate her example is
madness. America, Will, her great undevel-
oped country, her big eating debt-tending to
become an incurable cancer--her enormous
pension list, together with her fast increas-
ing population-alas, for the great republic
to follow in England's wake in 1873 was. a
huge blunder, and if persisted in, will be
come crime against humanity, to be pun
shed as such.
l would be glad if you let this see print in
The Herald. Its publication might encour-
age the women to give some attention to this
vital question. All, who suffers more than
mother, who Just manages to make both
ends meet when times are good, but is
driven to desperate straits often to desper-
ate measures when they are bad Yours, etc,
MARY IVES TODD.
Florence, Italy, Sept. 27, 1893.
What Happened to JonesP
To the Editor of The Los Angeles Herald:
I am an old cI,bccri bor of The How, II o,J 7