Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-04-14
Democratic Principles-A Dialogue.

nent Democrat what are the presen
principles Of theiDemocratic party
The following dialogue ensued
Democrat Why sir, theDemocrati
party has always been frank in tn
statement of IFS principles. Yor
have only TO read the platform
adopted at It's last National Conven-
ton, and you will find them set fortl
in full.
Foreigner | have read it, and fine
the only distinctive point in it to bt
that CATER four years of failure Il
restore the Union by war, Their,
ought to be an immediate cessation
Of hostilities.'s ! suppose the tri-
umph Of the Governm ent over the
rebellion in the fifth year of the wa
must have obliged the Democrat,
party to admit that they are mista-
ken.
| Dem Mistaken Sir, the Demo
cratic party was aever mistaken
But on reflection perceive that the
| present principles Of the party are
not stated in its platform. The first
is that this is white mans country
and that black men have no coneti-
tutional right to vote, especially il
reconstructing the Southern States
ana 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
straight out old>fashioned Connec
ticut Demo crat.
For Well he define Democrat
to be zone who favors the extension
of the right of suffrage 10 all classes
Of men" How is it that a man can
be a Democrat solely because he OPP
poses that doctrine ?
Dem. Politics have changed since
Webster's time. He did not regard
negroes as men.
For Indeed He defines negro
to be cone belonging to the black
race of men"
Dem. Well, Webster is mere ped.
agogue. Our statesmen have
thought differently.
For. Who are your statesmen
Dam. Andrew Jackson and
F0r But Jackson led the free ne,
groes to the polls. and voted with
them side by side.
Dem. Oh yes, we would be per-
fectly willing to tead them to the
polls, but the mischief is, they won't
be led They march to the polls in
platoons and vote against rs. But
this is not our principal point now
that the negro suffrage has prevailed
all over the South we have tinan
cial policies. The National bonds
should be taxed, and what is left Of
their value after paying the tax
should be paid in greenbacks.
For. What is greenback
Dem. 1t is the promise OF the
United States to pay certain sum
Of money without interest.
For And are the greenbacks ever
to be paid ?
Dem. No, they are to circulate as
currency.
For. How long will they circulate,
as currency after it is announced that
they are never paid And how
much will they be worth per dollar ?
Dan, That's none of my business.
The Black Republicans issued them
and they must take care of them.
For. But Democrats hold them
and viii suffer by their reputation.
Dam, Wen, Wen consent to lose
what we hav, in greenbacks IN order
to break down the aristocratic bond
holders..
For. And who are they
Dem The rich men, the Astors.
Stewards, &c.
For. But | am told these men hold
no bonds, and that nearly all your
bonds are owned directly or Indirect
~ by poor men.
Dem 1t must be mighty Indirect,
then. I'm sure | don't own any.
For Let US see. Uave you any
money in bank?
Dem. \ little, and my wife has a
deposit in the Savings bank, which
she has saved from her cheese and
butter.
Far. You are both bondaolders,
then Are your lives or property in
sured
Dem. We have policy on our
house.
For. What are You such ar1stocrat
ic bondholders
Dem. How is that?
For Nearly all the National bonds
owned in this country are held by
the National Banks, Savings Banks
Life, Fire and Marine Insurance and
Trust Companies. These companies
in turn are merely agents for those
who insure and deposit. and do bust
ness with them. In New York State
the Savings Banks alone hold $40,
GOO 600 in bonds. Those of Massa
chusetts so, 900 600: those of Rhode
Island S13, 900, 900, and, including tht
other thirty >four States, it is safe tC
say that their Savings Banks alon,
hold $500, 600, 900, and that these rep
resent the savings of three million.
OF poor people. The number Of de.
positors in New York and Massa-
1 chusetts together amount to 804, 80
persons, all of whom are poor, anC
/ their humble savings would be swep
away by repudiating the Nationa
4 debt, one>seventh OF which is due K
/ them.
I Dem. Is that SO?
For Moreover, the Life and Fir,
Insurance Companies of New Yorl
City alone hold &C, 10000 in Nation
al bonds. How many should yol
estimate were held by the inslr.
ance companies of this entire coun.
try.
Dem. Perhaps $500, 600, 900 more
I | don't know.
For. Nor but suppose it to b
as you say. Now you know that tn