The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-07-21

quantity, and, in less than ten years, all
were back in the public treasury and
stamped 'canceled,'' and thus ended the
life of the Guernsey Market House
Scripts. The house had been built, the
contributions of materials and work
were O all paid with the goods they
lad purchased at the market-house, or
indirectly elsewhere, and not one cent
nor interest.
Gov. De LIsle Brock did not let this
monetary event pass into obscurity. On
the contrary, he desired to impress it
wildly on the minds of his people, and
print it In the pages of history for the
benefit of future generations. Accord
ingly, he appointed a special day to
celebrate the anniversary of the build
ing of the market house, and give buri-
al to the scripts that had performed
the exchanges with equity, and now
had ceased circulating. When the day
arrived. the crowd began early to gath
er on the public squar in front of the
market house, which was f%estooned'
with garlands and streamers, and on
whose cupola waved a large flag bear
ing, in broad, gilt letters. the motto:
LAS good as if built with borrowed
gold"
At 10 a. m. the procession formed,
and preceded by bands, began to file
off through the streets of the little
burg. Along the line were carried
standards, on which were inscribed
notices like the following: Hail the
New Financial System!" Down With
Bonds and Borrowing" "Adieu, Bank
ers!" Labor and Capital United!" In
terest Never More!" Money, the Old
Robber!" etc. The procession made
the round Of the burg, returning at 2
p. m. Marshals on horseback arranged
the crowd in a grand circle on the
square, in the center of which was
erected a speakers stand, and, by the
stand, a vestal fire was kindled. When
all was ready, the band struck a ma
tional song of liberty, while the gov
ernOr, accompanied by two attendants,
who carried each a package Of Cancelled
scripts, advanced majestically to the
fire and halted. Suddenly the band
stopped; the governor took the bundles
of scripts from his attendants, Inc
holding them up to the gaze oft null
titude, pronounced over them the fol-
lowing impressive tribute: well done,
good and faithful servants. When liv-
ing, you performed your work with
equity, and now, departing, you leave
the world better for having been in
it, and no Understanding bonds nor
mortgaged homes will curse you in
your grave. You have lone more than
to perform the functions of money.
You have opened the portals to a
brighter financial era. May the toilers
learn wisdom from this example,"
He then sprinkled the packages with
perfume, and while the band was play
ing a dirge, he laid them on the fire,
where they were quickly consumed in
the presence OF a silent, solemn, think
ing mass of people.
After the cremation Of the scripts,
the governor, though not a public
speaker, assembled the stand and deliv-
cred the most impressive financial
speech ever delivered on earth before
or after. 1t was in the following
words:
Fellow CitiZens:-For the first time
in the history of this island, if not OF
the world, you have learned to make
your own money. You have built your
own market-house without borrowing,
and hence without paying tribute to
Mammon; and now, when all who have
ment and thus lessen your taxes
Turning then to the market house, and
pointing to the flag floating on it's Gu
pola, he exclaimed in loud tones: BE
hold, a monument Of your financial
wisdom. and as good as if built with
borrowed gold! May future genera
tons profit by your example"
contributed materials or work have
been paid, as attested by the return
of the scripts through the rent, the
house is yet your property. Hence
forth the rent of the same will be ap-
priated to the expenses of the govern
With this he descended from the
platform amidst the widest acclana-
tons Of the multitude, and the deafen-
ing sounds of the bands.