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Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 
buy any commodity with that we please; some commodity which 
we can use and which possesses intrinsic value. 
Mr. Main: I wish to ask the gentleman if he doubts the ability 
of the government to stamp paper, and give it value? Do not our 
bonds, to-day, sell for a premium over gold? If the greenback was 
convertible into bonds, as was the understanding and agreement 
at the time it was issued, we, to-day, would see that the greenback 
would command a premium over gold. ]f Congress, and the men 
at W ashington who claim they wish to raise the value of the green¬ 
back, would at once restore the law under which it was issued, 
which contained the bargain or contract that it should be exchange¬ 
able for 5-20 bonds, at the option of the holder, we would see the 
greenback, to-day, at a premium over gold. Now, I do not doubt 
but that the government can make the greenback bring more in 
the market than gold. If, to-day, it was convertible into 5-20 bonds, 
it certainly would be so. The gentleman thinks it would be a great 
injury to us if our currency was increased. The currency of France 
is about $34 per capita. The currency of Germany is $26 per cap¬ 
ita. The currency of England is $24. The currency of the United 
States, to-day, does not exceed $12 or $13 per capita. Now, if any 
person thinks we can compete in our business transactions wfith 
nations whose currency is so much in excees of our own, they think 
what I do not believe. 
I ask if there is anything unreasonable in the greenback, and con¬ 
vertible and reconvertible plan? Is any wrong going to be done 
to any single individual or any institution by the government’s 
giving its note, bearing no interest, for its note, bearing interest? 
There is nothing proposed further, than that a person who holds 
those notes, bearing no interest, shall have the privilege of carrying 
them back and asking for his bonds again. It seems to me that 
none of our financial sharpers would consider they were wronged. 
To make it a little plainer; I will suppose that you owe me a thou- 
sand-dollar note, bearing 3.65 per cent; I come to you, and say: I 
have your note for one thousand dollars; it bears 3.65 per cent, in¬ 
terest. Now, I ask you to take up that note, and give me ten one 
hundred-dollar notes, bearing no interest. Would you think I 
proposed to wrong you? I think you would not; even if we agreed, 
that whenever I had used those ten notes as long as I wanted to, 
I could return them, and take the one-thousand-dollar-note back. 
