The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-02-24
pELEeArrNa POWER AWAY.

The fundamental law of this country
is the constitution, the object of which,
according to the preamble, is to "foru, y
more perfect union, establish justice in
sure domestic tranquility, provide for
the common defence, promote the gem
eral welfare and secure the blessings of
liberty"
This instrument was adopted by each
state after careful discussion, and con
sideration in each state in delegate
convention. After being adopted by
nine states steps were entered upon
preparatory to organizing government
in accordance Herewith as directed
therein. The constitution II is that con
stituted and still constitutes its power
and gives to the government all its au
thority. Hence sit that all officials be
tore entering upon the discharge of their
duties are required to take an oath to
support the constitution of the United
States.
The powers of congress are enumerat
ed in the 9Th section of article /, the
first being to lay and collect taxes, dut.
les imports and excise to pay the debts
and provide for the general welfare of
the United States.
Coin money and regulate the value
thereof. In the list and throughout the
instrument it is plain to be seen that the
power, as to money and its regulation
is given to congress, And there is no
mention that congress may delegate that
power away. Indeed in the 10th section
of article |, we read: "No state shall
emit bills Of credit or make anything
bat gold and silver tender in payment
of debts"
Not word is said in the instrument
comforting upon congress the power to
charter banks, or to otherwise delegate
to individuals or companies the power
to emit or issue bills of credit, that is,
paper money. Indeed such paper is not
legal tender, and therefore not money
in the eyes Of the law, and never was.
This has ever been the position of the
Democrats, was Thomas Jefterson's
idea, and was fought to finish under
Jackson and the Democracy of that
period, finally becoming the established
law under President Polk, so far as the
general government was concerned
Until the Republican party got power
gold and silver was the only money
recognized by the general government
unless it had occasion to issue its owr
} treasury notes. No bank paper wa,
used.
The Republican party is now in favor
of retiring all government paper anG
handing the people over to the banks
the intention is to let the money mag
mates, bless their dear souls, have al
the gold, and leave bank paper promise
and silver for the common people. How
this party has changed 'front.' Canno
q their followers, their rank and file Sc,
thisP 1t is time this question was un
deistood, the issue fairly made an,
squarely met, and settled once for all b.
the fat of the American people.
A very important power congresa ha
n is that of borrowing money on the credi
r of the United States. And issuin
= treasury notes or greenbacks or sellin
: bonds, is borrowing. In the case G
y notes or greenbacks no interest is paid
and these circulate among the people q
}. money, and unlike bank paper, no on
d is paying usury thereon. The Who'll
! history of bank paper money is one {
e wrong and ruin, and bankers then
S selves do not escape. All this onl
n proves that general good is individui
Il good. Hence justice only is safety.