Page:The American Democrat, James Fenimore Cooper, 1838.djvu/179

Rh as all who have tried it well know. Indeed, so palpable is the fact, that in Europe, men of wealth almost invariably use gold for this purpose, even in those countries in which it is slightly above the standard of value in price, and it may be questioned if any paper ought to be issued of a value less than fifty or a hundred dollars. In short, the precious metals are intended to circulate among those who have not the leisure nor knowledge to ascertain the credit of paper, while the credit system is to facilitate the operations of trade, and to supply the deficiency in gold and silver in the payment of larger sums. Any effort to make paper do more than legitimately belongs to its office, is an attempt to supplant the interests of society by serving the interests of money dealers.

ON SLAVERY.

Domestic slavery is an institution as old as human annals, and probably will continue, in its spirit, through different modifications, as long as man shall remain under the different degrees of civilization that mark his actual existence. Slavery is no more sinful, by the christian code, than it is sinful to wear a whole coat, while another is in tatters, to eat a better meal than a neighbor, or otherwise to enjoy ease and plenty, while our fellow creatures are suffering and in want. According to the doctrines of Christ, we are "to do as we would be done by," but this law is not to be applied to slavery more than to any other interest of life. It is quite possible to be an excellent christian and a slave holder, and the relations of master and