The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-04-22
DEMOCRATIC PRIyCIPLEs-A pFA.
LOGgE.

r. N'"N'i'iVii VI <huiNi iSdn pViititS
recently inquired of a prominent Dem
ocrat what are the present principles
OF the Democratic party. The follow
ing dialougue ensued
| Democrat. Why, sir, the Democrat
ic party has always been frank in the
statement of its principles. You have
only to read the platform adopted at
its last National Convention, and YOU
will find them set forth in full.
Foreigner. l have read it, and find
the only distinctive point in it to be
that "after four years of failure to re-
store the Union by war, there ought
to be and immediate cessation of hos
tilities." l suppose the triumph of
the Government over the rebellion in
the fifth year of the war must have OBJ
liged the Democratic party to admit
that they were mistaken.
Dem. Mistaken Sir, the Democrat
ic party was never mistaken. But on
reflection | perceive that the present
principles of the party are not stated
in its platform. The first is that this |
is a white mans country, and that
black men have no constitutional right /
to vote, especially in reconstructing
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 language, but he was a |
straight out, old-iashoned Connecticut
Democrat.
For. Well, he defines Democrat
to be cone who iavors tho extention of
the right of suffrage to all classes of
men" How is it that man can be a
Democrat solely because he opposes
that doctrine ?
Dem. Politics have changed since
Websters time, He did not regard
negroes as men.
For. Indeed he defined negro to
be Zone belonging othc black race of
men,"
Dem. Well, Webster is a mere ped
agogue. Our statesmen have thought
differently.
For. Who areyour statesmen
Dem. Andrew jackson and
For. But Jackson led the free ne
groes to the polls, and voted with them
side by side.
Dem. oh, yes, we would bopersot
ly willing to lead them to the polls,
but the mischief is they won't be led.
They march to the polls in plattoons
against us. But this is not our prin- t
clpal point now that negro suffrage I
has prevailed oyct the South /: we have |
financial policies. Educational bonds
should be taxed, and what is left of q
their value after paying the tax should c
be paid in grccnbacks.
For. What is a grecnback ? 4
Dem. 1t is the promise of the Uni. C
ted States to pay certain sum of mon d
ny without interest. s
For. And are the grccnbacks ever s
to be paid? G
Dem. No, they are to circulate as s.
currency. il
For. How long will they circulate as Il
currency after it is announced that they I
Ire never to be paid? And how much p
will they be worth per dollar? b
Dem. That's none of my business. n
The Black Republicans issued them, a
and they must take care of them.
For. But Democrats hold them and
will suffer by their reputation. Il
Dem. Well we'll consent to lose u
what we have in grconbacks in order RI
% break down the aristocratic bond V
holders. Il
For. And who are they? c;
Dem. The rich men, the Astors, j
Stewards, &c, C.
For. Bat | am told these men hold o
10 bonds, and that neat,s all your t
bonds are owned directly or indirecly, L
1y poor men. v-. "
Dem. 1t must be mighty indirect, Il
hen. Pm sure l don't own any. !
For. Let us sec. Have you any Il
money in bank? "
Dem. A little; and my wife has a C
leposit in the Saving Bank, which q
he has saved from her cheese and b
,utter II
For. You are both Bondholders, q
hen. Are your lives or property in r,
ured? q
Dem. We have policy on our v
louse. u
For. What, are you such aristosrat- Il
c bondholders ? v
Dem. How is that? d
For. Nearly all the National bonds n
wned in this country are held by the 7,
National Banks, Savings Banks, Life Il
fire and Marine Insurance and Trust le
These companies in turn Z
re merely agents for those who in
ure and deposit and do business with
hem. In New York State the Saw
ngs Banks alone hold $40, 100000 fe
n bonds. Those of Massachusetts, 1926, II;
10000 those of Rhode Island Sl3,- NJ
1000, and including the other thir- az
y-four States, it is safe 10 say their d;
aviugs Banks alone hold S3OO,OOO,- m
100, and that these represent the saw le
1gs Of three millions of poor people, at
he number of depositors in New W
FORK and Massachusetts, together &C
mount to 8O4,5Ol persons, all Of d