Most of the confusion which follows the attempts to solve the money question arises out of the fact that the _same_ words in the mouths of _different_ people do not mean the _same_ things, or that _different_ words are used by _different_ people to mean the _same_ thing. If there are two words in common use to represent similar objects, but which, upon close analysis, _do not_ represent precisely the same thing, it is better that _one_ of them be discarded. It is necessary, therefore, to settle, prior to the beginning of this argument, _precisely_ what the several terms _do_ mean which are prominently in use in connection with the money question. It is, perhaps, near the truth to say that this settlement is the argument. Very few persons have any well-defined comprehension of what is the _real_ significance of the terms _gold_, _money_, _currency_, _intrinsic value_ and _wealth_. If these words are analyzed, what do they scientifically represent? Gold is a product of the earth only to be originally obtained by labor and expense, and both practically and scientifically bears like relations _to_ labor that all other things do which are produced _by_ labor; and none other. But there has been an importance attached to gold which has not been accorded to _any other_ product of labor. It has been coined and called money, because it was coined, and by custom and common acceptance made an _arbitrary_ standard of value, which _none_ of its qualities warrant when subjected to analysis, as will be shortly shown. Gold bears the same relation to _real_ money that a religious theory bears to _real_ religion, which theory, when comprehended by the intellect of the people, loses its value as a substitute for real religion; but which, until comprehension comes, it is better to have than to have none at all. So also with gold. It has in _theory_ been considered as _money_; but when a _true_ money comes to be comprehended, it will lose its value as a substitute therefor, and sink to its proper sphere among the other products of labor. It is altogether probable that gold was the very best substitute for money during that part of the world’s evolution wherein people were guided and controlled by policy and before principles were recognized as that which should govern, let their action lead where it might. As the world is now beginning to act from _principle_, for the sake of the _truth_, so also must they now begin to formulate the principle of money for the sake of the principle. Wealth is whatever is produced by labor which adds to the _comforts_, the _happiness_ or the _life_ of man; and everything that does this, either directly or indirectly, has intrinsic value—that is, has the capacity to bless mankind. Wealth may, and should, be divided into two kinds, namely, _permanent_ wealth and _transitory_ wealth.