The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-09


IS cembe.
Looking closely at the democratic platform
and comparing it with the republican Chicago
platform we see that either would suit both
parties. In order to show how they resemble
escn other in vague generalities, in having
several faces to suit the vision of long
sighted, short-sighted and double-sighted PEG
pie, and in their platitudes and buncombe,
we publish both to-day in another part of the
paper. Talleyrand said the use of language
was to conceal the thoughts, and the poll
ticians of both our parties evidently think the
same. When men are ignorant of the sub
jects they write or speak upon they cannot be
clear, and that is the case with most of these
platform makers, particularly on the questions
OF finance and currency. Besides, 1t has be-
come the habit Of those even who have some
knowledge to use language that may be con-
veniently interpreted to mean one thing or
the other, so as to confuse and humbug the
people. Only statesmen grasp great politi-
cal and financial subjects and express their
meaning clearly. Unfortunately, we have
few such. Politicians everywhere resort
to chicanery and double dealing, but
nowhere is it 80 much their stock in trade as
in this country. Our politicians, having few
ideas and want of breadth and comprehen-
siveness Of mind, would have nothing to say if
they did not leave political questions open for
the purpose merely of bandying words and
ventiating stale patitudes. This is exempli-
fed every day in the repetition of their dull
harangues. 1t is the same with these party
platforms.
Apart from the recriminatiOn and abuse of
each party in the platforms there are but two
ideas-negro suffrage and the finances. With
regard to the finances and what is popularity
termed the greenback issue the platforms are
nearly alike Both denounce reputation and
say that the debt shall be paid according to
law. True, the republicans say mot only &C
cording to the letter, but the spirit of the laws
under which it was contracted" while the
democrats say that where the obligations of
the government do not expressly state upon
their face, or the law under which they were
issued does not provide that they shall be paid
in coin, they ought in right and justice to be
paid in the lawful money Of the United States
Now this is evidently an attempt to make a
distinction where there Is little or no differ
ence. Both parties will act according
to circumstances and interpret their plat
forms to suit cases as they arise. If
we should arrive at specie payments
when the flve-twenties are paid payment will
be made in coin by the one party as well as
The other that may happen to be in power. If
We should not be on a specie paying basis
when the Ave-twenties are redeemed no party
n power would venture to pay hundred in
gold for what In the market might be worth
only seventynve. Besides, the government,
like an individual, can buy up It's bonds at any
time at the market value without doing injus-
lice to any one. This, then, is not practical
issue. The twaddle about it by the politicians
and the platform makers only shows their utter
ignorance and the muddle they are In on the
subject. Congress is just as ignorant.
A question might arise, however, in this
way the bonds having run five years and the
government being at liberty to redeem them
according to law, suppose It had one or two
hundred millions in the Treasury to apply to
that purpose and gold should be at a hundred
and forty, as now, would the government pay
more than hundred in legal tenders for every
hundred dollar fve-twenty bond? Would II
pay hundred and forty, the coin value2 Or
would it redeem them at the market value, say
one hundred and ten, thus giving ten per cent
more than the face demands If they be payable
in lawful money! This question may arise;
but the politicians and would-be Hnanciers
have not understood it nor touched It, In
that case the party in power, whether radical
or democratic, would act according to the
letter of the law and the face of the bonds.
Both would act in the same way, for they
could act in no other way.
Both platforms are silent on forcing specie
payments, which, after all, is the real question
at the bottom Of this issue about paying the
bonds in coin or greenbacks In fact, both
parties, in and out of Congress, have found II
necessary 70 leave the currency and specie
payments TO be regulated by the laws Of trade,
and we are satisfied neither will venture 10
disturb these laws. Mr.. McCulloch tried his
hand at this dangerous performance, but the
voice Of the country and the votes of Congress
stopped him. Both parties stand upon the
same platform in this respect.
As TO taxing the bonds or the interest on
them, the democrats are more explicit in favor
Of such measure, while the Chicago platform
rather squints the other way, but at the same
time says lit Is the duty Of Congress to reduce
the rate of interest thereon whenever II can be
done honestly" Itwould require very sharp
sighted individual to see much difference here
between taxing the interest OF the bonds and
reducing the rate Of interest thereon, notwith-