MR. MERCHANT: Certainly the man who has a fad or who is even a crank upon any subject, enjoys life a good deal more than a dead level commonplace fellow, who never takes any particular interest in anything--just passes the time. Every man for his own pleasure, if for no other reason, ought to have something in which he is interested outside of his regular employment. It may be a good horse, a good cow, a good dog, or some fine chickens--a good garden, a fine front yard, or just some flowers, or some subject affecting the welfare of his fellows. Every man ought to have something; it doesn't matter so much what it is, so long as he is devoted to it intensely. Of course, if he can profit by it, or help his fellows at the same time, so much the better. However, we have our hands full just now with a subject which has become mighty interesting, I think, to all of us, and I hope that our work will prove not only interesting to us, but profitable to our fellows. At all events, it can do no one any harm, and will better fit everyone of us for our duties as citizens. There is too little work of this kind done all over the country; men can accomplish so much more, if they only get together in small groups like this, instead of plugging along alone. It's a good deal like the football game, where team work counts for so much. It may be that what we are now doing will inspire thousands of other little groups to get together and discuss this, the greatest, the most important business question that can possibly come before the American people, and then when this is finished, they will, as a matter of habit, take up others, in precisely the same way. UNCLE SAM: Hold on there, Mr. Merchant, you've lectured us long enough this evening, now let us get down to business. You know if there is anything that your Uncle Samuel is noted for all the world over, it is business, and business is business, you know. But, before we tackle the tenth topic, tonight, I am going to retrace the road we have traveled, and see if you can all recall and recognize the mileposts we've passed. _First_: There was the Standard of Value, gold. _Second_: Money, our only money is gold. _Third_: Currency, the wrong kind. _Fourth_: Currency, the right kind. _Fifth_: Exchange by which one debt is made to pay another. _Sixth_: Value, the value of anything is measured by the thing for which it is exchanged. Price, the amount of money received for anything. Wealth, what can be exchanged for money. Property, the right of ownership. Capital, anything that may be so used as to result in a profit. Credit, result of confidence and trust; creates a debt, and is the right to demand payment. _Seventh_: Land or Government credit is unfit as a basis for money or currency. _Eighth_: Our Colonial experience proved that land and Government credit were unfit as a basis for money or currency.