Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-03-26

incnd, Mr McMastCrs, OF the Free
mans journal, that we have pcruscd
the leader in his last issue, touching
the bond and grccnback question, as
connected with the coming man for
the Presidency, with regret We re-
gret its spirit andtone even more than
its substance. Such discussions are
harmful, and harmful only. They
certainly cannot advance the interests
of Mr.. Pendleton, nor meet his ap-
proval. But above al, the journal,
and all Others in accord with it on this
subject, could best afford to keep cool
They have had everything their
own way. The question of paying
the public debt in greenbacks has
been permitted to float, with all its
superficial attractions, undisturbed !;
but few feeling that the time had
come for looking into details, the prac-
tical operation of which seemed so re-
mote; and others feeling willing, in the
midst of so much adversely, 10 indulge
anything cheering about the payment
of the debt, or the coming abundance
of money, even if slightly delusive.
Gov. Seymour, in his great speech
at Albany, suggests that it will be
time enough to take up the subject
of the payment of the public debt af
ter we have secured something to pay
with that there are stronger issues
on which the Democracy are of one
accord, and, in very kindly terms, re-
minds the advocates of the greenback
policy that they mistake the force of
their own argument, by overlooking
the fact that the attainment Of the
Democratic party TO power would
greatly contract the margin between
greenbacks and gold; that whilst
there may be an immense speculation
in the paymentin greenbacks if things
continue as they now are, it would
be far otherwise under Demoratic
rule; with other telling and judicious
suggestions to similar effect; where
upon the journal becomes indignant
and imperious, and talks oratorical
about who can and who cannot run
for the Presidency, and makes sum-
mary disposition of great men and
great questions All this, we sup
pose, must be treated as matter Of
taste and sense of duty, and we hope
no harm to the country will spring
therefrom; but the journal should at
least, perceive that nothing could
more completely exemplify the truth
of what some have been saying ever
since the inauguration of this green
back question, 10 wit that all at.
tempts to make up National plat.
form, out of secondary or hypotheti-
cal questions, in advance Of the Ma
tional Convention, is an untimely and
injudicious work. not at all calculated
to promote the harmony of the Dem
ocratic party, or to secure accessions
TO its ranks.
We have no fear about platform.
The restoration of the ten prescribed
States to the rights and prerogatives
of the other States in the Union: the
vindication of the Judicial and Exec
utive Departments Of the Government
against the palpable encroachments
of the Legislative; together with the
complete subOrdinaiion of the militia
ry to the civil authority, are questions
on which all tho real friends of our
present form of government and Of
constitutional liberty are of oneiJae-
cord and these make up issues the
virtue of which win work the over
throw Of the Radical dynasty at the
coming election, if it be a fair one.
Nor need the force Of the minor ques-
tons be overlooked. Economy and
honesty in the use of the public mon
ey-the modification of taxation, SO
as to relieve the industry of the conn.,
try-the improvement of the credit
and currency, and the adoption of
proper means to maintain the public
faith and honor as connected with the
public debt; all these will enter into
the argument, and may enter into the
substance of platform but on all
these the Democratic party has his
tory and faith that cannot be mis-
understood. The accession of that
party to power would surely be fol-
lowed by that degree of confidence
and good feeling throughout the I'm
ion that would warrant the reduction
Of the Army and Navy to the lowest
peace establishment; also, the dsmis-
sal of swarm of useless ofice-hold-
ers, and the reduction of the expenses
Of the Government to the extent Of
at leas two hundred millions per an
mum the consequent elevation of
the credit of the Government and a
serious contraction Of the margin be-
tween greenbacks and gold. When
this shall have been ACCOMPLISHED