The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-08-15

G McCaleb, Jeremiah Collins,
Edward Mcclure, Joseph Mooney, Jr.,
| Morris Neustadt, Philip Sullivan,
Henry Wertheim, John Borngasser,
John Forristal, BIN Hetheringtou,
Bernard Hayden, w F Scott,
P. Fogarty. Jacob Haver,
And $50 others.
LASALLE, ILL.,, Aug 6, 1863.
Messrs. 4. g. AcCale5, W IL Clark, ID. RicAey,
Philip C0nhn, II Wertteim, B. n Hethering-
tom, n. Neustad,, j. Bingham, and Others:
GENTLEMEN Your letter asking me to con-
sent to become the Workingmen's and Peoples
candidate for Congress in this, the Sixth, Dis
trict at the ensuing election is received.
Permit me in reply to tender to you my sim
cere thanks for this manifestation Of your regard
and confidence. Notwithstanding the very fat
tering terms in which you are pleased to refer to
me personally, cannot believe that you were
influenced to make this request SO much on per-
sonal considerations as by your interest in and
attachment to the principles of financial and
labor reform which have been advocating for
the past seven years, and which are now engaging
the attention of the industrial classes in all de.
partments Of useful occupation and in all parts of
the country. While there are many reasons why
it would be more agreeable to me to perform the
duties of private in the ranks of the army of
labor now being organized throughout the length
and breadth of the land than tO become your
standard bearer in this as it appears to me, con-
fict of right against might, yet in view of exist
ing circumstances I do not feel at liberty to
decline the proffered honor
In accepting the position to which you invite
me, do so with a full appreciation of the grave
responsibilities it imposes as well as with deep
sense of the lack on my part of the proper quail
fications to maintain our cause against we'll
organized and powerful opposition. I can only
pledge to you that in the future as in the past,
and in whatever position may be placed, will
with strict fidelity and whatever of ability pos
sess support and defend the rights and interests
of the producing classes against the insidious
schemes OF an INSCRIPTIONS money oligarchy
which now has its heel upon the neck of labor
and is seeking to perpetuate its power by unjust
legislation.
1t is eminently proper at all times that persons
seeking or accepting the suffrages of the people
for places of public trust should clearly and un-
equivocally express their views and indicate their
policy upon leading question saffecting the public
interest-candor being as much q virtue and
duplicity as much a crime in public as in private
affairs. But in times like these when questions
involving the interest and the happiness of the
whole people and the perpetuity Of our institu-
tons in thespirit of justice and liberty in which
frankness becomes an imperative duty, and the
individual or party that would resort to subter-
fuge to secure place or power is unworthy Of
trust or confidence. I will then, in accordance
with this rule, proceed to give my views on what
consider the most important issues presented in
the present canvass.
hold that while the war has resulted in the
overthrow and utter extinction of chattel slavery
it has not emancipated labor from the thraldom
imposed on it by our iniquitous monetary laws
which, though more subtitle and refined, are not
less unjust and oppressive; that the latter must
like the former be abolished before the rights of
labor can be established on firm and enduring
basis.
The impartial administration of justice being
the only true bond of union to bind the States
together and engage the affections Of the people
to the Government, to this end the Union should
be restored or reconstructed, under the constitu-
ton, at the earliest day practicable on the basis
OF justice to all men and all interests; that to
secure the blessings of peace and fraternal kind
ness, we must have such wise and enlightened
legislation will give to labor its Just rewards,
revive industry and encourage the development
of our national resources in all sections of our
common country.
l hold that the Government is bound to keep
faith with the taxpayers as well as the holders
Of its securities at home and abroad, by paying
cording to the letter and spirit of the laws
under which it was contracted, and that this
good faith requires that the principal of that
portion of the debt bearing six per cent coin in.
interest, payable twenty years after date and
redeemablo at the pleasure of the Government
after five years, commonly known as five-twen-
ties,l should be paid in lawful money or legal
tender treasury certificates ('greenbacks at the
earliest option of the Government that any
xla..., Ii II 4 L =
faith toward the tax-payers-the claim recently |
set up by the bondholders and their allies for the
payment of this part of.the public debt in coin |
having no foundation in law, justice or equity. |
That the people or Taxpayers have an equal |
right with the bondholders to interpret the laws |
under which the public debt was contracted, and |
that the passage of the funding bill by Congress
during the last hour of the late session was |
deliberate attempt Mt reputation and betrayal |
OF the rights and interests OF the people into the
power and keeping of a few avaricious bankers
and in disregard of tho plainest principles of law
and equity, and merits the stern condemnation
and firm opposition of every friend of right and |
justice.
That justice and sound financial policy de.
mand the immediate withdrawal from circula-
ton of the notes of the National banks as we'll |
as those of all State banks, and the substitution
of treasury certificates as the exclusive currency
OF the nation, which treasury certificates should
be made isgal tender in the payment of all
debts public and private, and declared lawful
money of the United States and convertible, at
the option Of the holder, into Government bonds
bearing o just rate Of interest sufficiently below
the rate of increase in the national wealth to
make an equitable distribution of the products
of labor between non-producing capital and
labor, reserving TO Congress the right to alter