Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-10
us. SILVER OR BANK PAPERs

II the Republicans and SOlditeS DO
not exhibit a better comprehension of
the slvcr-lssuc in this campaign than
they have shown in the past four years,
they will be beaten badly before the
people and at the polls on that alone.
The people now are fully and correctly
informed ne, TO this issue, not of silver
against gold, nor of the value of one
against the other. but of gold alone
against gold and silver. and the value
of the former against the combined
value of both. The immense increase
in the gold production. too, tends to
lessen the value of the metal greatly.
not only discredit It as n standard but
commend the double use of gold and
silver I'm general exchange. especially
in all domestic transactions. The out
cry OF the monometallists that there
was an over production of silver that
decreased its monetary value to a dan
gerous point, always exaggerated and
false. Is now seen to be more justly ap-
plicablc to gold. especially as the ex
elusive metallic money; and that, as
the sole standard of value, variable and
unstable as a speculative commodity al
ways. even when one of the two pri
mary monetary metals. it is becoming
the chief sport of chance and gambling,
of bulling and bearing. with startling
new discoveries OF prolific mines, and
all nations more or less forced to Sc
cure reserves OF gold.
The false impressions that prevail in
certain classes and quarters as to the
silver issue and its force before the
public are due to the unceasing efforts
and influences of the government and
administration. the banks and bond
holders. aided by corporations and The
subsidized press, to increase the value
OF bonds and money. while decreasing
the quantity Of cheap and reliable
currency; 10 the misrepresentation and
misrepresentation. that. seeing some
of the evils caused by the demonetiza-
ton OF silver, relieved partially and
temporarily by abundant crops ana an
unexpected and vast development of
gold production. abscribe il all TO the
gold standard claimed to have been cs-
tablished in 1873. ii not i'm 1874. and to
pretended abandonment of silver
money by all the leading nations OF
Europe. when this is no more true than
that we abandoned it rs primary or
standard money in 1884!
France Is now, through the Bank of
France paying nil obligations exclu-
sively in silver coin-gold payment be-
ing suspcnded: and all the governments
of continental Europe and their banks
are paying in gold, silver, or paper, as
best suits their convenience. Gold Is at
SIX per cent. premium ut the Bank of
England, and all who demand gold pay
mont there must pay the premium, or
accept silver or paper. II is we alone.
oe all the world. who are to be fastened
by bonds to a gold-stalic, until we have
paid to the uttermost farthing, though
for mos; Of our debts We neither saw
nor promised gold
But why shall anybody make trouble
about a standard OF value" If we
have had the single gold standard since
1881, and didn't know it! When all the
time our standard money was both sill
Yer and gold, our legal-tender both, and
our law declared the standard silver
dollar our basis of value? If such was
the fact. 1t Is sheer nonsense to wrangle
about standard, and all we really de-
sire Is the status quo ante the sneak
thief act Of February ~. 1878, which de-