Indiana American., 1868-06-26

Democratic principles "A dialogue.
A foreigner, anxious to study the pres.
ent condition Of American politics, re.
Gently required ofa prominent Democra
what are the present principles Of tn
Democratic party. The following dialogue
ensued:
Democrat. Why, sir, the Democratic
party has always been frank in the state
ment Of its principles. You have only 4
read the platform adopted at It's les
National Convention, and you will fine
them set forth In full.
Foreigner. have read il, and End III,
only distinctive poiut in IL to be that "af-
ter four years Of failure to restore thu
Union by war, there ought to be an inn
mediate cessation Of iiostilities.' / sup
pose the triumph Of the GoieInmeht ovsl
.lhe-rebslsiSs -iazshe iftllJ~kr ef the wal
s!4ua,obave obliged sthen pewocratie party
toadmit that they xsSsl l5iztakep>H
Dem. Mistakeni Sir. the Democrsti'
party was never mistaken. But on refec
tion l perceive that the present principles
OF the party are not stated in its plat
form. The first is that this isa white
mans country, and that black men have
no constitutional right to vote, especially
in recoDstructing the Southern States, and
no human power can give them the right
For You have heard Of Noah Web
ster, have you notY
Dem. Heard Of him, yes; and he wa,
not only the best photographer of the
English language, but he was a straight
out, old-fashioned Connecticut Democrat
For. Well. he defines q Democrat tc
be zone who iavors the extension Of the
right of suffrage to all classes Of men.
How is it that a man can be Democrat
solely because he opposes that doctrine?
Dem. Politics have changed since
Webster's time. He did not regard ne
groes as men.
For. Indeed. He defines a negro ia
be lone belonging to the black race Of
men,"
DEM Well, Webster is a mere peda.
gogue. Our statesmen have thought
differently.
For. Who are your ststesmenf
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,' they wont 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 pre-.
vailed 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 green
backs2
For. What is a greenback?
Dem. 1t Is tho promise of the United
States to pay certain sum Of money with.
out interest.
For. And are the greenbacks ever to
be paid2
Dem. No, they are to circulate as cur.
reLcy.
For. How long will they circulate as
currency after it is announced that they
are 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 suffer by their reputation.
Dem. Well. we'll consent to lose what
we have in greenbacks in order to break
down the aristocratic bondholders.
For. And who are theys
Dem. The rich men, the Astors, Stew
arts, &c.
For. But am told these men hold no
bonds, and that nearly all your bonds are
owned directly or indirectly by poor men.
Dem. 1t must be mighty indirect, then,
I'm sure l don't own any.
For. Let us see. Have you any
money in bank?
Dem. A little; and my wife has de-
posit in the Savings Bank, which she aa
saved from her cheese and butter,
For. You are both bondholIers. then
Are your lives or property Ensured?
Dem. We have policy on ou
house.
For. What, are you ssch aristOcrati
bondholders?
Dem. How ;s thar?
For. Nes;ly all the National bond
owned 10 l'l.s country are held by tn,
Nat'ons. Banks, Life, Fire and Marin
INSURANCE aud Trust Companies. Thes
companies in turn are merely agents 70
those who insure aud deposit. and d
business with them. In New York Stat
the Savings Banks alone hold 40 900. 90
in bonds Those of Massachusetts s25,
000, 900; those Of Rhode Island Sl3,
000, 900, and, including the other thirty
four States, it is safe to say that thei
Savings Banks alone hold $500 600. .000
aud that these represent the savings G
three millions Of poor people. The mum
Der Of depositors 10 New York and Massa
chusets together amount to s03, SOL per
sons, all Of whom are poor, and their hum
bic savings would be swept away BY rs
pudiating the National debt, ne-sevent
Of which is due them.
Dem. Is that 50?
For. Moreover, the Life and Fire In
surauce Companies Of New York Git
alone hold s66 .0O0, 900 in National bond
How many should you estimate were hel
by the insurance companies OF the entir
country?
Dem. Perhaps saoO,ooo,ooo more.
don't know.
For. Nor I; but suppose tito be as yo
say. Now you know that the Nation'
Banks own 1910, 100000 In the bond
and that the class who own and do but
mess with these banks are not all mil
ionaires. They are all well-to-do bushes
- "a - '.<.o ko.t exon 000 M