Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-10-22
From the Vicksbarg Wing.
REPLY OF s. S. PRENTISS TO r. ]
WALKERS "VINDICATION."

following triumphant letter from MIR. Prem.
tiss, it will command a general perusal.
tits anexcoriating document, and nails that
political changing r. !. Walker to the
counter-It will take a longer letter than
any he has yet written to extricate himself
| from the charge ofinconsistency.
Ma. M'CARDLE:
Dear Sir-My attention has been at.
tracted to an article in the Stree Trader"
ofthe 18th inst. under the imposing title
of "Vindication of Robert J. Walker from
the charges of S. S. Preniss." Ofcourse,
both curiosity and courtesy, induced me
to give it careful perusal. | was some
what amused at the extreme sensitlveness
evinced by the Hon. Senator in relation
to his political consistency, and am very
sorry to disturb the pleasant delusion under
which he labors on that subject. ngree
with him that change, OF political opinion
is matter of too common occurrence to
be made the ground of very serious objcc-
ton to a candidate for popular favor and
that 1.-THE true question is what are the
views and opinions of the candidates al
this PERIOD" In addressing my fellow
citizens on a recent occasion | did cal
their attention to the incongruity, as
thought it, between the present and former
opinions of the Hon. Senator upon the
currency question.
did not deny his right to change his
opinions as often as he pleased but 10 op.
position to his present views as expressed
in his letter of June last, made bold to
quote his opinions as contained in his letter
of March lst, 1894, to Judge Back, and
as delivered on the floor of the Senate in
reply to Mr.. Benton in the session of 1887.
| considered Mr.. Walker very good
authority against Mr.. Walker, and quoted
him for the purpose of showing how little
weight ought to attach to his present stran-
ge notion of the impoltic, immoral and
Irreligious character of the whole banking
system. made no other charge against
him than what he himself furnished.
took il for granted from his letter to
Judge Black that he was in favor of bank
in 1884. took il for granted from his
fierce attack upon Mr.. Benton, that he was
opposed to an exclusive meIa'ic currency
in 1887. And took it for granted that
he was opposed to all banks, state and ma.
tiona, and was as he calls himself, "a hard
money democrat" on the Oath of June
1s30.-Now this seemed to me to involve
some inconsistency, and my opinion has
not been changed by the very long and
very labored article in which the gentle.
man has striven to prove that there is a
perfect congruity in all these views.
For the satisfaction of the Hon. Senator
will endeavor to shew that he is mistaken
in believing lie has always been "hard
money democrat" and has not successfully
indicated himself from the charge Of in-
consistency.
In the first place then, he is at present
opposed to all banks, and in favor of an
exclusive gold and silver currency, SO soon
as the banking system can be got rid Of.
Ii is true he do not desire it, at this time,
but he is in favor of the principle and
wishes its ultimate adoption. The follow,
ing is his view contained in his letter Of
Oath June.
81 do not hesitate however, TO avow ii
as nv own wish and opinion, for which
onIv am responsible, land not the party, J
that when this great reform shall have been
accomplished, such will be the improve
ment of public morals, the augmented
prosperity of the country, and the increased
Y gor of republican principles, that We
might in time proceed to the expulsion OF
all bank notes of denomination less than
one hundred dollars, and perhaps be ena6E
ed uh naiely, to dispense Nth the tOhOle
system"
In opposition to this, place his letter
to Judge Black, of March 1874, written in
haste, but not less likely OH tina; account to
contain the true sentiments of the author.
1t will be recolIected that this letter was
written during the session of Congress
succeeding the removal of the deposl.es,
and while the whole country was still aglta.
ted on the question of National bank:
"NATcHsz, March lst 1884.
Dear Sir:
AS | promised at our parting to give
you my views on any subject which might
be interesting TO you' common constituents
hasten to say that Mississippi will with
great unanimily sustain you on the de-
posite question. In fact the public voice
loudly demands a restoration of the de-
posites, and the creating bank 10 supply
general currency. A State bank can no
more supply and gOUern the general cur
rencv than State government can direci
and control the qfai Of the n tin. &c
on. your constituents are with you, the
country must be relieved from the fright
fol scenes of distress which have visited
US.
In haste as the boat is leaving.
Yours truly,
K. J. Walker"
Now what did the Hon. Senator mean
by saving .'the public loudly demands
restoration of the deposiies, and The Great.
ing a bunk TO supply a general currency
He says IN his 'vindicaLion" that the letter
does not shew that he 'favored the crea.
ton by Congress of any bank whatever !;
apparently. however ashamed flhis palpa.
bic evasion. presently he says; "But here
| admit that as an alternative to the State
Bank project was then 10 favor OF crea-
ting by Congress, such bank with some
notifications, as had been recommended
by Gen. jackson IN his veto and preceding
messages, and also by Mr.. Jefferson under
the name Of a bank, IN his letter 70 Mr.
Galatin of the 18th Of Dec. 1903.
g. ,,,,<,,s ~, ~ co,,no fanOfh from Gen