Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-01-09
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III. e<---------
~ ryE CONTEST OF Isss.
Y What would be the results of the sue
cess OF the Democratic party In the po-
IlsIcal contest Of 1868? A brief exami-
nation OF this question would be sufii-
cient 10 satisfy every man In the nation,
who, during the progress Of the recent
fearful struggle, labored and prayed for
the success of the cause of the Union
soldiers, that snch a success would be a
disaster almost, If not entirely equal to
the complete failure of the national arms
during that struggle. II the Democratic
party was in power, the work of recon-
.struction on any plan that would give
power and place to those who during the
war stood by the Union flag, would at
once be abandoned. Upon this point no
one. need be deceived. It Is only neces-
say to look at the condition of affairs
within the limits of those States that
were, during the rebellion In sympathy
with the South, and that since the re-
bellion have passed under the control of
the Democratic party, to satisfy the most
incredulous upon this point. In Ken
tucky all power is to-day in the hands OF
those who fought Cor the overthrow of
the Union. Rebel Generals, Colonels,
Captains and Lieutenants hold the Of
tices of the State, and, within That State
to have been Union man during tho
war is as complete disqualification to
hold office as a conviction for high
criminal offense Is in Ohio. OF Mary
land and Delaware the same may be said.
The work Of reconstruction would be
placed in the hands OF the rebels of the
South, and in all the Southern States the
same condition of affairs would exist
Tie rebels would be In power, and the
Union men, white and black, would be
prescribed and persecuted without the
least hope of protection. yA 81
The success of tho Democratic party
would jeopardize the payment of the
national debt, IL it did not result in its
direct reputation. 1T Is true that there
are now but few bold men in that party
who, like "Brick Pomeroy," have the
courage to opUuly advocate repudiation.
Yet nearly every proposition coming
from the leaders of The party tends to
that result In Kentucky and Maryland
the Democratic party demands payment
i for the slaves emancipated by the Consti-
tutlonal Amendment, andthis is equiva-
) lent to aproposal to repudiate the debt,
for thclpeople would certainly refuse to
pay deot contracted for this purpose
The rebels Of the South are the Demo
crats OF the South. II they are ro-in-
stated to power they will demand OF
their Northern allies, us co,hpen sation
for their corporation, that the wounded
soldiers and the widows and orphans OF
those who fell In the Confederate service
shall be placed upon tho national pension
rolls, aud the party, being dependent
upon these rebels for its power, would be
compelled TO mako the concession. The
next demand would oa. that tho rebel
debt should be paid as wSil as the Union
debt, which would 20 increase that debt
that all hope of It's ultimate payment
would be extingulshed, and It's repudia
tlon would be demanded. These things
seem TO US necessary results of the sue
cess of the Democratic party, and wher
the position Of the Ohio Democracy upon
the subject of national finances Is exam
ined, 1t will be found 10 contain thee ry
as fraught with repudlation as the pro
posals Of the Southern Democracy to pay
for the slaves of rebels, to pension rebe
soldiers, or to pay the rebel debt. If tn,
Democratic theory of paying the nation
nj debt in greenbacks, 30 generally sus
tanned In the last campaign In Ohio, Il
carried into execution, it will result II
such depreciation Of the value Of Gov
erpment securities as to be virtual re
pudiation. The payment Of the debt II
currency means All issue Of currency
equivalent to the payment Of the debt
for the Government has no other mean
OF getting hold of the currency for tina
purpose. The taxes are now high, an,
Democrats cry out againt oppressiv
taxation when the Government levies
sufficient amount to pay the interest O.
the debt and the current expenses Of tn
Government. II is evident, therefor,
that very little currency can be raised b
taxation TO redeem the bonds with, an
can only be obtained by printing then
The currency, with less than seven hun
dred millions In circulation, Is only wort
seventy-three cent? ON the dollar. II
was Increased two thousand million
the amount OF the bonded debt, II mu
be evident that corresponding redu'
tion Of the value Of that currency woul
necessarily follow, and every cent Of r
duction in the present value OF the Gu
rency, caused by the over issues OF Il
IS circulating medium, Is repudiatic
equivalent to the amount Of the value
redeemed. ~
A restoration OF rebels 10 power NJ
ths reputation OF the national debt q
only part OF the consequences tn
would follow the success OF the Dem
cratic party, but they are results Of 81
hcient magnitude and Importance
claim the attention and arouse to q
tion every true. Union mau. In q
country. II may be that In some erespec
The Repuliican party has not done eve