the nominal readmission of the seceding States into the Federal Union. The laws advised and provided for in the Constitution of the United States are naturally the restrictions which were considered essential to the sustenance of government, and its freedom from dangerous and evil tendencies. An immutable law of the universe decrees that large numbers of people without a recognized head which is a court of last appeal, and which controls by popular consent, cannot long be maintained. Even among the rudest and most barbarous nations of the earth, obedience of the people to the laws made for them by their recognized chief has existed. How much more so it must be in a country like this, daily and hourly advancing in all material and speculative ways, is apparent to every thinking mind. Restrictive measures, in the sense of the exercise of government, mean liberty and all of the true forces by which an enlightened people may command peace and security from disaster to themselves, their families, and temporal possessions. While in some instances the Government has imposed unnecessary and unequal restrictions upon commerce, productions and trade, it has usually made a proper use of its restrictive powers to the public welfare. It might, with much show of reason in exceptional cases, have looked more closely to equal interests in levying taxes and attaching duties where they belong. Governmental restrictions should operate for the good of all alike without a single exception, and thus never become burdens.

As showing what Great Britain acknowledged in the treaty of 1783 with the representatives of the United States, here is a copy of

ARTICLE I. His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States, viz.: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Con

necticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to be free, sovereign, and independent States; that he treats with them as such; and for himself, his heirs and successors, relinquishes all claims to the government, proprietary, and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof.

As showing the character of government the people of the United States had before the adoption of the Constitution in 1789, here are presented a few articles of the

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.

[The Articles of Confederation were agreed to November 15, 1777, and were ratified July 9, 1778, by ten States; by New Jersey, on the 26th day of November of the same year; and by Delaware, on the 23d of February, following. Maryland, alone, held off two years more, acceding to them March 1, 1781, and thus closing the obligation.]

The following are some of the articles:

Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

ARTICLE I. The style of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America."

ARTICLE II. Each State retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled.

ARTICLE III. The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other against all force offered to, or attack made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.

III

GOLD AND SILVER.

Gold and silver, as the natural bases of money and currency, have for ages been a usual standard with all nations; also for personal adornment and the materials for various manufactures. Of the world's supply of these absolute monarchs of modern civilization, that of the United States alone has, particularly since the discovery of the gold mines of California and the silver mines of Nevada, been more than equal to the demand. It is estimated that the United States to-day produces fully onehalf of the world's supply of these essential commodities. From 1870 to 1880 $721,000,000 of the precious metals were the products of the mines of this country. From 1848 to 1887 its total gold and silver product is officially shown to have been $2,551,984,544. Considering the supply of the world, it is calculated that about threefourths is used in coinage, and the balance in the arts. For the three months ending December 31, 1888, the value of gold and silver coin and bullion exported from the United States represented $19,644,841. The total coinage of the United States mint for 1887 was $57,703,413.40, of which $22,393,279 was gold, $34,366,483.75 silver, and $943,650.65 minor coinage. The amount of gold coin and bullion in the country, on November 1,

1885, as an average illustration, was, according to the report of the Comptroller of the Currency, $586,727,787, and of silver coin (of which "the sum of $39,512,979 in lawful money has been deposited by the national banks to retire circulation of a like amount, which has not yet been presented for redemption "), $307,658,827. The amount of gold and silver coin in the United States Treasury, and in National and State banks, on the date above mentioned, was of gold, $235,251,499, and of silver, $199,744,216. In the enumeration of the gold in the United States Treasury, certificates are excluded, while in National and State banks they are included. As demonstrating the progress and importance of the American nation, even a casual glance at the great mineral wealth of the country, as embraced in gold and silver, outside of the other useful metals, will show its wonderful and unprecedented possibilities. Still more plainly may these great agents be seen in the almost inexhaustible deposits of gold, silver, and other useful metals, as yet undeveloped, to say nothing of other and equally important considerations elswhere touched upon in this work. The possible future of the American Republic is bound up in the proper use and application of all the resources with which nature has so abundantly supplied it. Gold and silver alone are not the true secrets of elevation and security. Rather are they found in the great power of the people, in labor, advancement in education, improvement of laws, living and legislation, extension of manufactures, a more equal imposition of taxation, and freedom from oppressive systems. The peaceful condition of the country, and its satisfactory relations with all civilized countries and peoples, permits to-day no hindrances, save such as are elsewhere cited, and the influences that follow

them, to the continual occupation and development of material resources and the beneficial results that must spring therefrom. Wisdom, prudence, and faith in the perpetuation of the liberties and future growth and increased wealth of the country, are the valuable suggestions which must appeal to every man's higher reason and judgment.