The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 6, June, 1862: Devoted To Literature and National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 6, June, 1862: Devoted To Literature and National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Of late years, those soundest of philanthropists, the men of
common-sense who labor unweariedly to facilitate exchanges between
civilized nations, have endeavored to promote in every possible manner
the adoption of the same system of currency, weights and measures among
civilized nations. It has been accepted as a rule beyond all debate,
that if such mediums of business could be adopted--nay, if a common
language even were in use, industry would receive an incalculable
impulse, and the production of capital be enormously increased.
Not so, however, thinks John M. Vernon, of New-Orleans, who, stimulated
by the purest secession sentiments, and urged by the most legitimate
secession and 'State rights' logic, has developed a new principle of
exclusiveness by devising a new system of decimal currency, which he
thus recommends to the rebel Congress:
'We are a separate and distinct people, influenced by different
interests and sentiments from the vandals who would subjugate us.
Our manners and customs are different; our tastes and talents are
different; our geographical position is different; and in
conformity with natural laws, nature and instinct, our
currency,--weights and measures, should be different.
'The basis of integral limit of value proposed for our currency, is
the star, which is to be divided into one hundred equal parts, each
part to be called a centime, namely: 10 centimes--1 tropic;
10 tropics--1 star; 10 stars--1 sol.
'These denominations for our currency have been selected for three
reasons: first, they are appropriate to ourselves as a people;
second, they are emblems of cheerfulness, honor, honesty of
purpose, solidity, and stability; and third, the words used are
simple, easily remembered, and are common to several languages. I
will, in addition, observe that similar characteristics distinguish
the proposed tables of weights and measures.'
'Stars'--'centimes'--'tropics,' and 'sols.' Why these words should be
more significant of cheerfulness, honor, honesty, and solidity, than
dollars and dimes, cents and mills, is not, as yet, apparent. As set
forth in this recommendation, it would really appear that the root of
all evil would have its evil properties extracted by giving the radical
a different name. To be sure, the wages of sin thus far in the world's
history, have generally been found equivalent to death, whether they are
termed guineas, francs, thalers, cobangs, pesos, sequins, ducats, or
dollars. But in Dixie--happy Dixie!--they only need another name, and
lo! a miracle is to be wrought at once.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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