Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-10-13
WHY PERJURY FoRsGoLDfa


Senator Aldrich says he willIintroduce
Into tlleaaU Y. s.. Senate on Its first day.
u bill toSestablish the single gold stand
ard. Some persons have been declaring
that that standard was established by
the act of 1s73.a and is still the standard;
but, If the act OF 1873 established 1t, It
was repealed by the act Of 1878. The
Richmond Times, however, declares
that the single gold standard was fixed
by the act of Congress Of 1884 and is
still the standard; but if that be true.
why the act of 1873, or why another act
to make gold the standard?
But, as we have said, If the gold dol
lar was made the single standard in
1873, the so-called double-standard, of
both the gold and silver standard dol
lars, was established, or re-esta blished,
by the act OF 1878. A single standard
Of value, however. is not necessarily re-
stricted to one material or metal; and
the experience OF the world for centu-
ries Shows that not only is this true as
to free and unlimited gold and silver
subs tantially, but that q standard rep
resented by the two metals must 'De
more steadfast and less variable than II
represented only by one; for by the
constant, mutual operation of both,
each checks and supports the other In
| 4 state of equilibrium. which cannot
vary to any nppreciable extent: While
the single metal or value, is sure to
vary with every increase or decrease Of
demand, quantity and other causes.
Eut where is the warrant for a sin
gle gold standard? How did Congress
become invested with the power to de-
stroy money. or one OF its immemorial
and natural sources? The Federal con-
stitution forblds the States to coin and
issue money, and bestows the sole, ex-
elusive power on Congress to do so. as
follows:
THE Congress shall have power to
coin money. regulate the value thereof.
and of foreign COIN
And. in that form, the power became
n grent and Important duty, limited
only by the needs and demands of the
State and people, and restricted to
neither silver, nor gold-coin consisting
at that date OF gold and silver, and
chiefly used by NIL the people as sill
YER. In the following section, the con-
stitution declares that mo State shall
make anything but gold and silver coin
n tender in payment Of debts" 1t may
make gold and silver coin a tender in
Payment of debts. as all the States
have done; and II the United States. or
any officer, or institution, OF person, in
anywise prevent or obstruct, any citi-
zen in paying his debts with either gold
or silver, it must be a gross and high
violation of the fundamental law of the
land and a ruthless invasion Of COM
mon right and privilege.
If the constitutional provisions as to
coming and coin are not valid. So
cred and inviolable. what are so? Mr.
Aldrich and all the Federal Senators
and Representatives in Congress, SOL
EMMY swear to preserve, protect and
defend the constitution of the United
States What part or the sacred in
strument is excepted from that oath ?
There may be nothing In the world
against the single gold standard, eX-
cept that single constitution, and the
single oath to preserve and defend it.
But why shall anyone perjure himself
for gold? Why shall he violate the con-
stitution for gold?