The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-10
The Two PlatiOrms-Platitud and Bun.
COmbe.
From the ". Y. Herald.

From the NJ Y Herald
Looking closely at the Democratic platform
and comparing it with the Republican Chicago
platform we see that either would suit both
parties. In order to show how they resemble
each other in vague generalities, in having
several faces to suit the vision of long-sighted,
short-sighted, and double. sighted people, and
in their platitudes and buncombe, we publish
both to-day in another part of the paper.
Talleyrand said the use of language was to
ccOHceal the thoughts, and the politicians of
both our parties evidently think the same.
When men are ignorant of the subjects they
write or speak upon they cannot be clear, and
that is the case with most of these platform
makers, particularly on the questions of
finance and currency. Besides, it has become
the habit of those even who have some
knowledge to use language that may be con-
veniently interpreted to mean one thing or
the other, so as to confuse and humbug the
people. Only statesmen grasp great political
and financial subjects and express their mean
ing clearly. Unfortunately, we have few such.
Politicians everywhere resort to chicanery and
double dealing, but nowhere is it so much
their stock in trade as in this country. Our
politicians, having few ideas and a want of
breadth and cOmprehensiveness Of mind,
would have nothing to say ii they did not
leave political questions open for the purpose
merely of bandyng words and ventilating
day in the repetition Of their dull harangues.
1t is the same with these party platforms.
Apart from the TecriminatiOn and abuse of
each party in the platforms there are but two
ideas-negro suffrage and the finances. With
regard TO the finances and what is popularity
termed the greenback issue the platforms are
nearly alike. Both denouuce reputation and
say that the debt shall be paid according to
law. True, the Republicans say 'not only ac-
cOTding to the letter. but the spirit, of the laws
under which it was contracted" while the
Democrats say that 'where the obligations of
the Government do not expressly state upon
their face or the law under which they were
issuId does not provide that they shall be paid
in coin, they ought in right and justice to be
paid in the lawful money of the United States"
Now this is evidently an attempt to make
a distinction where there is little or no
difference. Both parties will act according
| to circumstances and interpret their platforms
to suit cases as they arise. II we should arrive
at specie payments when the fVe-twenties are
paid payment will be made in coin by the one
! party as well as the other that may happen to
! be in power. If we should not be on a specie
| paying basis when the fve-twenties are re-
| deemed no party in power would venture to
pay hundred in gold for what in the market
might be worth only seventy five. Besides,
the Government, like an individual, can buy
up its bonds at any time at the market value
without doing injustice to any one. This,
then, IS not practical issue. The twaddle
about 1t by the politicians and the platform
makers only shows their utter ignorance aud
the muddle they are in on the subject Con-
Cyess is inst az ignorant.
A question might arise, however, in this