Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-01
The New Programme = Imitation of
The Currency.


The New York Herald thus fore
shadows the future schemes Of the Rsdi-
cal leaders:
The leading Radicals in Congress and
the Radical press maintain discreet ret
icence st present as to their financial
schemes to carry them over the Presi-
Dental election, and to Eli their pockets
by stimulating all sorts Of speculations.
But we have every reason to believe that
an imitation of the currency to the amount
of one or two hundred millions, and per-
haps more, is contemplated. We see in
the airociols impeachment business that
this party will stick at nothing to main
tain their power and to hold the patron
age of the Government. As ii is evident
that the current Of popular sentiment
is setting strongly against them, they will
see the necessity, therefore, OF adopting
temporary expedients, whatever may be
the ultimate consequences, to carry out
their objects. By initiating the currency,
money will become abundant, spec2,ar
tons and enterprises will be stimulated,
labor will be employed at higher rates,
the farmers viii get high prices for their
produce, and there will be temporary
and general prosperity. Every one will
be in good humor, and look fayorably,
for the time, upon those who bring about
such state Of things. The mass Of
thee people viii not stop to think
about the fictitious and evanescent char
acter Of such prosperity. They will swim
along jeyously with the tide, caring or
thinking little Of the inevitable reaction
that must follow, bringing universal
bankruptcy and gloom. And what will
the political leaders care so that they
can keep the people in good temper and
amused until they can consolidate their
power aud make money out Of the inha-
ton The deluge may come afterwards,
but they expect 10 be safe.
All nations in the midst of revolution,
as we are now, become reckless to .
great extent, and the leading revolution
lists are permitted to carry cut the most
extraordinary measures regardless Of
tbs future. That which under ordinary
circumstances and in settled times would
shock the public mind and invoke the
stoutest resistance is submitted to with
apathy or indifference. Factions rule
and not the people, though all rexolu-
tiOnary measures are carried out in the
name Of liberty and the people, however
vile or outrageous such measures NAV
be. 1t has been so in times of revoln.
tion in all countries, and il is so with US
now. The Committee Of Public Safety
in France was the type Of the Radical
Congressional junts at Washington.
Robespierre, Marsi, Couihon and Dan.
ton were the prototypes Of Boutwell,
Butler, Thad. Stevens, Logan and the
rest History is repeated in all such
times. II the deeds Of our Jacobins
should not be as bloody as those Of the
French JacObins it will be because the
spirit Of the age is different; but as far
Is the government is concerned and the
despotism Of faction goes the revolution
going on is as thorough and uncontrol-
liable.
In the course Of four or Eve years q
debt Of three thousaDd millions has been
accumulated. and "a amount Of taxation
imposed greater than that Of any other
country in the present or any former age
A people who have experienced such
vast changes. and have become f.
miliar With fHancisl operations and