Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-10-24
Reply of g. 8. Prentiss to Robert j.
Walkers sVindication."


We need scarcely invite attention to the
following triumphant letter from Mr.. Pfentlss.
II will command general perusab 1t is an
cycoria1ing document, and nails that political
changing, r. ]. Walker, TO the counter. 1t
gill lake longer letter than any he has yet
written. to cxtricate himself from the charge
Of Inconsistency. Vicksblug Wtg
VIcEsBURG, Sept. 90, 1882
MAJ McCordic:
Dear Sir---My attention has been attrac-
ted TO an article in the Free Trader the 17ih
instant. under the imposing title of "Nndca-
ton Of R. !. Walker from the charges OF 5.
{ preutss' OF course, both curiosity and
courtesy induced me to give it careful peru
sol. | was somewhat amused at the extreme
constituencies cvinccd by the Hon, Senator IN
relation to his political consistency, and am
very sorry to disurbthc pleasant deluson I'M
der which he Iabors on that subject. | agree
with him that change Of political opinion is a
matter Of too common occurrence TO be made
the Ground of very serious objection to a car
dd0te for popular favor; and that ''the true
question is what are the views and opinions Of
the candidates at This period" In addressing
my fellow citizens on recent occasion, did
ali their attention to the incongruliy, as |
thought ii. belween the present and former
opinions ofthc Hon. Senator upon the currency
question.
did not deny his right TO change his opin-
IONS as often as he pleased, but IN opposition
10 his present views as expressed IN his letter
of June last. made bold 10 quote his opinions
AS contained in his letter of March Isl, 1884, TO
Judge Black, and as delivered on the floor OF
the Senate ia reply TO Mr. Benton IN the SEES
sion OF 1887.
considered MIR. Walker very good auIhorl
" against Mr.. Walker, and quoted him Tor INK
nurpose of showing how little weight ought t(
bc attached 10 his present strange notion oil INT
impoitic, immoral and irrellglous character
the whole banking system. | made no ONE
charge against him than what he himself lur
nished.
took it for granted from his letter TO judy
Black That he was in favor OF u bank IN 1884
took it for granted from his fierce attack up
on Mr.. Benton, that he was opposed to an OK
elusive metallic currency in 1887 And too
it for granted thai he was opposed to all banks
State and National, and was as he calls himself
"a hard money democrat" on the Gath OF June
1889. Now this seemed 10 me to involve som
inconsistency, and my opinion has not pee
changed by the very long and very aborcd al
,icle in which the gentleman has striVch
IA prove that there is perfect congruily III u
n these views.
For the satisfaction of the Hon. Senator,
will cndeayor to shew that he is mistaken
believing he has always been "hard none
democrat" aud has not successfully vind'ca'e
himself from the charge of Inconsistency
In the first place then, he is at present opp
sed TO all banks, and in favor OF an eXcius',
gold and silver currency, SO soon as INC pan
ing system can be got rid Of. 1t is true ne ao
moi desire it, at this time, but he IS IN favor
The principle and wishes Of its ultimate ado
ton. The following is his view contained
his letter Of Gath June;
al do not hesitate, however, to avow it rs II
own wish and opinion, for which | only q
responsible, land not the party,) that when II
great reform shall have been accompllshc
such will be the improvement Of public mora
the augmented prosperity of the country, a
the increased ygor Of republican principle
that we might in time proceed TO the expulsl
or all bank notes Of denomination less tn
one hundred dollars, and perhaps be enabled
timotelu. 10 dispense NTH The 1choie system"
VA In ooposition to this, place his letter
Judge Black, Of March, 1884, written in has
Ln, not less likely on that account to contf
the true sentiments Of the author. 1t will
recollected that this letter was written durI
tho session Of Congress succeeding the rem
val OF the dGpostes, and while the whole COY
Try was still ngitated on the question oil
tional bank:
"NArcuEz, March ls, 1884
"Dcar Sir As promised at our parllhs
give you my views on any subject when my
be interesting to your common constituents
hasten TO say hat Mississippi WI w'h =
unanimiy sustain sou on the Deposlte Wv
,on In fact the public voice loudly dema
restoration of the Dcposites, and the CT
ting Bank to supply general currency
State Bank can no more supply and govern
general currency than State GoVcrnn
can direct and control the affairs olthe nal
Go on--your constituents are with you
country must be relieved from the irgh
scenes Of distress which have visited u.s.
In haste as the boat is leaving,
Yours, truly,
X. j. WALKER
Now what did the Hon. Senator mean
saying ''lhc public voice loudly demands
NM toraion Of the deposiles, and The creating
s TO supply a general currency" lie says in
n uyndcation' that the letter does not shew