MR. LAWYER: I am convinced of that also, but the trouble is going to be to bring it together, centralize it and so mobilize it that we can make the most of it. We have learned one great and most important lesson tonight, and that is that the only money we have is gold, and that we cannot substitute an agreement to pay gold, a debt, a mere demand for gold itself, for it. Such a proposal when you think of it is an absurdity, a contradiction of terms. To state the result of our conversation, or our conclusion, as I understand it, it is this: Money must be coined out of a commodity that is just as valuable in the form of a commodity as it is in the form of coin. A piece of gold weighing just the same as a $20 gold coin, if as pure, is worth just as much as a $20 gold piece. Last Wednesday evening we all agreed that, as the result of our conversation, gold was the standard of value of the entire world, and was our standard of value as well. Tonight, as I understand the result of our talk, we all agree that the only money we have in this country is gold coin; that our money is gold coin, and that our gold coin is our money. Next Wednesday night let us investigate our currency and ask ourselves "What is currency?" Before we separate, I want to read to you what Webster says currency is, because I want you to be thinking over the matter in the mean time. Webster says: "Currency is the state or quality of being current; a continual course or passing from person to person or hand to hand; general acceptance; circulation." MR. LABORINGMAN: You mean something that everyone takes and is glad to get. MR. LAWYER: Precisely so; it is that which is in circulation, or is given and taken as having value, or is representing value, as the currency of the country. If we all keep this definition in mind, we shall have very little trouble next Wednesday evening in agreeing upon what currency is, and what it ought to be. UNCLE SAM: I want you men to remember one thing, and that is this, that we want no currency in this country that isn't as good as gold, and currently redeemed in gold coin to prove it. Nothing will satisfy Uncle Sam but the best, and don't you forget it. On top of that I want to plant another proposition, and that is this: It's not my business to be exchanging gold for that currency either. Compel the banks to do that, for that is their business. But first, we will settle what our currency is, and what it ought to be. Good Night. THIRD NIGHT WHAT IS CURRENCY? UNCLE SAM: Well, boys, when we parted last Wednesday night, it was agreed that we should take up for consideration and discussion tonight the question, "What is Currency?" And just before we left Mr. Lawyer read Webster's definition of Currency. MR. MERCHANT: I am very glad that he did so because it gave me a start, and set me to thinking, and as a result I became very much interested in the subject.