Weekly Trinity journal., 1868-06-13
WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL.
Dem ocratic Principles,

Democratic Principles,
foreigner anxious to study the present con-
dition of American politics, recently INQUIRED of
prominent Democrat what are the present prin
ciples OF the Democratic party. The following
dialogue ensued;
Democrat-Why, sir, the Democratic party has
always been frank in the statement of its princi-
pies. You bave only to read the platform adopt
ed at its last National Convention, and YOU will
nnd To EN- set forth in full
oreigner-l have read it and find the only dis
tinctive point in it to be that after four years
OF failure to restore the Union by war, there
ought TO be an immediate cessation of hostili-
ties" suppose that the triumph of the Gov
eminent over the rebellion in the fifth year of the
war must have obliged the Democratic party to
admit that they were mistaken.
Dem.-Mistaken Sir, the Democratic party
was never mistaken. But on reflection per-
ceive that the present principles of the party are
not stated in its platform. The first is that this
is white mans country, and black men have
no constitutional right to vote, especially in re-
constructing the Southern States, and no human
power can give them the right.
For.-You have heard of Noah Webster, have
you not?
Dem.-Heard of him, yes; and he was not
only the best photographer of the English Ian
guage, but he was straight-out old-fashioned
Connecticut Democrat.
For.-Well, he defines Democrat to be u one
who favors the extension of the right Of suffrage
to all classes of men," How is it that a man
be Democrat solely because he opposes
that doctrine?
Dem.-Politcs have changed since Webster's
time. He did not regard negroes men.
For.-Indeed. He defines negro to be " one
belonging to the black race of men,
Dem.-Well, Webster is mere pedagogue
/
For.-Who your statesmen?
Dem.-Andrew jackson and
For.-But jackson led the free negroes to the
polls, and voted with them side by side.
Dem.-Oh, yes, we would be perfectly willing
to lead them to the polls, but the mischief is that
they won't be led. They march to the polls in
patoons and vote against us. But this is not
our principal point now that negro suffrage has
prevailed all over the South; we have financial
policies The national bonds should be taxed
and what is left of their value after paying the
tax should be paid in greenbacks.
For.-What is a greenback?
Dem.-It is the promise of the United States to
pay certain sum of money without interest.
For.-Are the greenbacks ever to be paid
Dem-No they to circulate currency.
For.-How long will they circulate as cur
rency after it is announced that they never
to be paid and how much will they be worth
per dollar?
Dem.-That's none of my business. The Black
Republicans issued them, and they must take
care of them.
For.-But Democrats hold them and will suf-
fer by their reputation
Dem.-Well, We'll consent to lose what
have in greenbacks in order to break down the
aristocratc bondholders.
For.-And who they?
Dem.-The rich men, the Astors, the Stew
arts, &c.
bonds, and nearly all your bonds are owned d.
rectly or indirectly by poor men.
Dem.-It must be mighty indirect then. I'm
that don't own any of them.
For.-Let US see. Have you any money in the
bank?
Dem.-A little, and my wife has deposit in
the savings bank, which she has saved from her
cheese and butter.
For.-Then you are both bondhoders. Are
your lives or property insured?
Dem.-We have policy on our house.
For.-What, are you such aristocratic bond
holders?
Dcm.-How is that?
For.-Nearly all of the national bonds owned
in this country are held by the national banks,
saving banks, life, fire and marine insurance and
trust companies, and these companies in turn
are merely agents for those who insure, deposit
and do business with them. In New FORK State
the savings banks alone hold $40 ,000, 900 in
bonds. Those of Massachusetts, So, 900, 600 ;
those of Ri ode Island, Sl3 ,00O, 900 and in
Guiding the other thirty-four States it is safe to
say that their savings banks alone hold $780,
900 900, and these represent the savings of three
millions of poor people. The number of depos
itors in New York and Massachusetts together
amount to S04,50l persons, all of whom are
poor, and their humble savings would be swept
away by repudiating the national debt one
seventh of which is due them.
Dennis that so?
For.-Moreover the life and fire insurance
companies of New York city alone hold &c.,
900 900 in national bonds. How many should
you estimate were held by the insurance compa-
MES of the entire country?
Dem-Perhaps $500 900, 900 more. don't
know.
For.-Nor I but suppose it to be as you say.
Now you know that the national banks own
$40 900, 900 in bonds, and that the class who
own and do business with these banks are not
all millonaires. They are we'll TODD business
men, and no more. About $500, 900 900 of our
bonds are held as investments in Germany,
mainly by persons of moderate means who had
faith IN the stability of our republican insttu-
tions. Besides there all over the country
trust estates and money of persons of moderate
means, which have been invested directly in the
bonds. The amount of these can hardly be less
than $500, 000, 900. Here then we have a grand
total of 81, 40 200, 900 of the Understanding
portion OF the national debt, which amouts to
about s., 900, 900 900, belonging to the people
who cannot be called capitalists, leaving, say,
$3.50, 900, 900 for the aristocratc bondholders
Dem.-Some of your figures rest upon suppo-
stion, but it is impossible to arrive at the ex-
act figures, we can only reach them by estimates
from the facts actually known. Your statement
is new TO me and must think of it.
Por.-Are there any other principles of the
Democratic party on which you give me any
information
Dem.-None at present. Chicago Tribune.
CoLFAx.-In an article congratulatory Of the
action of the Chicago Convention, the Humboldt
Times says &c In Mr.. Colfax shall have a
Vice President whose well-known sentiments