“THE EVOLUTION OF THE GOLD STANDARD.” “Paternalism in Government finds no place in the creed of a Democrat.” SOUND MONEY, GOLD STANDARD AND TARIFF FOR REVENUE No. 605-607 New York Life Building, Minneapolis, Minn. SEPTEMBER 14TH, 1896. Exchange Library University of Minnesota JUN 10 '35 Introduction. I take the liberty to introduce my "Evolution of the Standard of Gold" by a quotation which I take bodily from an article by Robert J. Lowry, recently elected at St. Louis, President of the Bankers' Association. The quotation will be found in his valuable short article entitled "Gold in Georgia," by Robert J. Lowry, President of the Lowry Banking Company, Atlanta. The quotation is as follows: "To what can the wonderful influences of this metal (gold) be ascribed? What the charm? Value? No; for gold ranks twenty-first in the scale of metallic values. Beauty? No; for fashion mars its natural luster to satisfy her whims and fads. Usefulness? No; for its uses in the arts are few and mostly confined to ornament and decoration and not necessity. What then? Simply the peculiar properties gold alone possesses, which makes it the only metal known suitable for a unit of value for settlement of differences in barter between individuals and nations; whose properties are indestructibility, homogenity, divisibility, stability in value, portability and cognizability. Wonderful metal provided by the all-wise Creator for the development of commerce, and regulated through His providence from age to age in supply in exact proportion to demand. What an influence does it exert in human affairs! "I am glad to now state from observation that large sums have been invested in gold mines in this state in the past three years, old ones reopened and new ones being developed. With new appliances for extracting the precious metal good results have followed. It is just in its infancy in the modern and new process of mining. The quality is of the very finest and I look with certainty for large additions of gold from mines of Georgia, henceforth. This will go far toward settling the money question now agitating the country on the sound basis of Gold." Testimonials. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.. Sept. 19, 1896. MY DEAR MR. BENTON-I have read the "Evolution of the Gold Standard" with deep interest. It is an invaluable volume in the present crisis, and I am sure that it will have also a permanent value. Sincerely, WILLIS M. WEST, Professor of History in University of Minnesota. ST. PAUL, MINN., Sept. 21, 1896. MR. GEO. H. Benton, 605 New York Life Building, Minneapolis, Minn. DEAR SIR-I return herewith the manuscript of the article which you left for my inspection and opinion. I have been much interested in it, and congratulate you cordially upon having done a most excellent piece of work. I think that your study is on right lines, and that it possesses permanent value. I may add that the feature which distinguishes it from other arguments on the same line, and especially commends it to me, is the ethical line of treatment which harmonizes political and personal morality. I have taken the liberty of addressing a letter, of which I enclose a copy, to Mr. F. W. M. Cutcheon of this city, recommending the use of your pamphlet as a campaign document for the National Democratic party. I do this because of its value, and I trust that something mutually advantageous may come of it. Very sincerely yours, J. G. PYLE, Editor-in-Chief of the St. Paul Daily Globe. MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 24, 1896. THE FARMERS & MECHANICS SAVINGS BANK, Minneapolis, Clinton Morrison, Pres.; E. H. Moulton, Sec. and Treas. GEO. H. BENTON, ESQ., City. MY DEAR SIR-I have read with a great deal of interest your pamphlet in manuscript form on the "Evolution of the Gold Standard." So convinced am I of its value as a complete historical exposition of the subject that I should like 1,000 copies, for which I will gladly pay $70. I would recommend that the pamphlet be gotten up in as attractive a style as possible. Very truly yours, E. H. MOULTON, Treas. The Evolution of the Gold Standard. Back of all other issues of this canpaign there is a paramount issue. The paramount issue that is in fact on trial in the forum of the world during the closing years of the Nineteenth century is the capacity of the people for self-government. Democracy is a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." The crucial test of a Democrat is implicit faith in the capacity of the whole people for self-government. Any wavering in this faith is an infallible sign to the individual that he is not a true Democrat. Alexander Hamilton was not a Democrat because he did not have implicit faith in the capacity of the whole people for self-government. The high priest of Democracy was Thomas Jefferson because he did have implicit faith in the capacity of the whole people for self-government. This implicit faith is in its essence religious because it is based on faith in God. God is the Infinite Intelligent Force of the Universe that makes for righteousThe supremest fact of history is the imminence of God in the individual. God is manifested in the individual. He is not in the whirlwind, the earthquake or the fire, but in the "still, small voice" He speaks to man. Man is endowed by his Creator with the capacity to assimilate God. Individual self-control is always proportioned to the assimilation of God by the individual. Religion therefore is the science, as Christianity is the art, of self-control. Hence, as God works through individuals, and individuals associate to organize government, it is the highest generalization of political ethics that the voice of the people is the voice of God. ness. The highest aspiration of mankind and the cardinal principle of democracy is "equal and exact justice to all men of whatsoever race or persuasion, religious or political." Democratic principles are therefore right and eterna |