At the beginning of the rebellion the bank-note circulation of the country amounted to not much more than $200,000,000; now the circulation of national-bank notes and those known as “legal-tenders” is nearly seven hundred millions.  While it is urged by some that this amount should be increased, others contend that a decided reduction is absolutely essential to the best interests of the country.  In view of these diverse opinions, it may be well to ascertain the real value of our paper issues when compared with a metallic or convertible currency.  For this purpose let us inquire how much gold and silver could be purchased by the seven hundred millions of paper money now in circulation.  Probably not more than half the amount of the latter, showing that when our paper currency is compared with gold and silver its commercial value is compressed into three hundred and fifty millions.  This striking fact makes it the obvious duty of the Government, as early as may be consistent with the principles of sound political economy, to take such measures as will enable the holder of its notes and those of the national banks to convert them without loss into specie or its equivalent.  A reduction of our paper circulating medium need not necessarily follow.  This, however, would depend upon the law of demand and supply, though it should be borne in mind that by making legal-tender and bank notes convertible into coin or its equivalent their present specie value in the hands of their holders would be enhanced 100 per cent.

Legislation for the accomplishment of a result so desirable is demanded by the highest public considerations.  The Constitution contemplates that the circulating medium of the country shall be uniform in quality and value.  At the time of the formation of that instrument the country had just emerged from the War of the Revolution, and was suffering from the effects of a redundant and worthless paper currency.  The sages of that period were anxious to protect their posterity from the evils that they themselves had experienced.  Hence in providing a circulating medium they conferred upon Congress the power to coin money and regulate the value thereof, at the same time prohibiting the States from making anything but gold and silver a tender in payment of debts.

The anomalous condition of our currency is in striking contrast with that which was originally designed.  Our circulation now embraces, first, notes of the national banks, which are made receivable for all dues to the Government, excluding imposts, and by all its creditors, excepting in payment of interest upon its bonds and the securities themselves; second, legal-tender notes, issued by the United States, and which the law requires shall be received as well in payment of all debts between citizens as of all Government dues, excepting imposts; and, third, gold and silver coin.  By the operation of our present system of finance, however, the metallic currency, when collected, is