Paper Currency. 



much extended. More caution should he the rule. Instead of relying 

 on chance, or the government's going into the open market and pur- 

 chasing bonds, silver or any other commodities, and taking out of the 

 market that for which there is no other ready purchaser at the same 

 price, thereby putting money in circulation at the commercial centers, 

 every man should attempt to so husband his resources that he will 

 have money enough on hand to meet emergencies. It is of no use for 

 the people to undertake to charge our monentary system with all 

 their misfortunes in business. The best-equipped men know better 

 than any one else, how easy it is for the most carefully-made plans to 

 get beyond their control. The strongest men sometimes fail from 

 causes which no man could foresee or guard against; but it is a la- 

 mentable fact that men too often engage in enterprises for which they 

 have not prepared themselves and have not the ability or the financial 

 strength to carry to success. The man who relies on intelligence, 

 prudence, temperance and industry is more sure of success, than the 

 man who expects that his business will be taken care of, even though 

 he is not equal to the work he has undertaken. 



We have had under consideration paper currencies, legal-tender 

 notes and the silver question. No one is more conscious than myself 

 that these topics are capable of being presented more forcibly and elab- 

 orately than has been done. But if something has been said which shall 

 help to settle or confirm our convictions that it is best to have, as nearly 

 as possible, an even schedule of prices to correspond with the fixed 

 schedule of prices of labor; that irredeemable currencies invariably 

 result in embarrassment; that demagogues who attempt to confuse the 

 public mind and make it believe that a fiat dollar is as good as a 

 commercial dollar, should be shut out from public favor; that it is 

 imperatively necessary that the executive officers of our government 

 b e held to a strict account for their disregard of law; that the 

 public faith must be sacredly kept; that irregular practices by 

 public servants are demoralizing; and to make it evident that these 

 are matters of individual responsibility, concerning which every loyal 

 man is accountable and should have clear and well-grounded convic- 

 tlons > tfl en the object of this paper will have been accomplished. 



15 



