People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1893 — A LITTLE HISTORY. [ARTICLE]

A LITTLE HISTORY.

Proof of the Conspiracy Against Silver— Money Sent to This Country to Influence Legislation. That there was a conspiracy formed between the bankers of Threadneedle street, London, and of Berlin and other continental cities of Europe a quarter of a century ago, to demonetise silver, does not now admit of a shadow of doubt in the minds of those who have acquainted themselves with all the facts and have watched the trend of events to the present time. There are many, strange as it may seem, who are not acquainted with these facts and events, and for those who may read this article, the following proof is submitted. Here is the statement of Ernest Seyd made to Frederick Luckenback and sworn to m an affidavit made before James MilleQ clerk of the supreme court of Colorado, on the 9th day of May, 1892. He said: “I went to America in the winter of 1872-78 authorized to secure, if I could, the passage of a bill demonetizing silver. It was to the interest of those 1 represented, the governors of the Bank of England, to have it done. I took with me £IOO,OOO sterling, with instructions if that was not sufficient to accomplish the object to draw for another £IOO,OOO or as much as was necessary. German bankers were also interested in having it accomplished.” He said he was the financial adviser of the bank. He further said: “I saw the committee of the house and senate and paid the money and stayed in America until I knew the measure was safe.” lie declined to give the names of the members to whom he paid the money. “Your people will not comprehend the far-reaching extent of that measure—but they will after years,” etc. These statements were made in February, 1874, to Mr. Lunckenback while a guest at Mr. Seyd’s house in London. InJUorror you exclaim: “Is it possible the financial adviser of the Bank of England came to America on such a diabolical mission? And did he actually come here and accomplish it? It does not seem possible!” you say. But Buch is the case as is witnessed by the silent but truth-telling statement made in the Congressional Record of April 9, 1872, page 2,032, as follows:

“Ernest Seyd, of London, a distinguished writer and bullionist, who is now here, has given great attention to the subject of mint and coinage. After having examined the first draft of this bill, he made various sensible suggestions, which the committee adopted and embodied in the bilL” These are the words of Mr. Hooper, of Massachusetts, a member of the committee on coinage, weights and measures, and acting chairman. Hon. W. D. Kelley, who was the chairman of the committee, told Hon. Gilbert DeLa Matyr that he saw the original draft of the bill and it was in the handwriting of Ernest Seyd. Mr. Kelley disclaimed any knowledge of or responsibility for the demonetization of the silver dollar, saying the original bill contained provision for the coinage of the standard dollar, and that the change was made in the senate. This should be sufficient to convince the most incredulous, but in order to leave no doubt in the mind of anyone, another witness is offered, in the statement in the American Bankers’ Magazine, of August, 1898. It is as follows: “In 1872, silver being demonetized in France, England and Holland, a capital of #500,000 was raised, and Ernest Seyd, of London, was sent to this country with this fund, as agent of the foreign bondholders and capitalists, to effect the same object which was accomplished.”

Please note the complete corroboration. Mr. Seyd says he was sent here “to secure the demonetization of silver, with £100,000;” the Congressional Record says he was here, and the American Banker’s Magazine says he was sent here with 1500,000 to effect the same object (demonetization of silver) which was accomplished. Mr. Hooper said that Seyd “after examining the first draft of the bill furnished many valuable suggestions which the committee adopted and embodied in the bill,” and Mr. Kelley told Dr. De La Matyr that he saw the original draft of the bill, and it was in Ernest Seyd’s own hand-writing.

Americans, what think you of an Englishman drafting bills and making “valuable suggestions” to your congress? You cannot like it, but such was done. The object was accomplished. Silver was demonetized and shut out "of the mints and so remained until 1878, when at the command of the people "It was partly, restored through the so-called Bland act, a compromise measure.

During all these years there has been a constant onslaught on silver on the part of the conspirators and their cohorts and a stronger demand by the people for its full restoration only to be thwarted at every turn. As the last means, when free coinage is about to succeed, the act of July 14, 1890, is foisted on the people through the efforts of the chief conspirator, John Sherman, hence the so-called Sherman law, which he now* admits was intended to prevent free coinage. Under the guise of an increased use of silver it was accepted as another compromise. The law was purposely framed to permit a hostile administration to manipulate it against silver, which is proven by the treatment it has received by both Secretaries of the Treasury Foster and Carlisle, furnishing positive

proof of that being the intention. After accomplishing this the conspirators now make a great outcry against their own work and demand the unconditional repeal of the law, thereby completely striking down and outlawing silver. 'JThe fell purpose—the single gold standard of values will thus be accomplished. * But you say, what is the object, for there must be one? Why, it is to do what Sir John Lubbock, with prophetic vision, forty years ago declared; “There is likely to be an effort made by the capital class to fasten upon the world a rule through their wealth, and, by means of reduced wages, place the musses upon a footing more degrading sad dependent than has evnr w»

known in history. The spirit of money worshippers seems to be rapidly developing in this direction.” There it is, and put in a word means, as we have it to-day, a plutocracy of wealth that will become fastened unless speedily averted, and its consequent result and complement, the enslavement of the masses of the people. What shall be done to avert this ruinous result? Just what a faithful engineer would do when he sees his train, freighted with precious human lives, running to certain ruin. Reverse the engine of destruction; that is, restore silver at once. If this cannot be done, then destroy the fatal engine, the single gold money standard. Reinstate silver or demonetize gold.

H. BARKIS.