Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-04-22
Principles-A Dia-

A foreigner, anxious to study the
present condition of American pol
itics, recently inquired of prom
inent Democrat what are the present
principles Of the Democratic party.
The following dialogue ensued:
Democrat. Why, sir, the Demo
cratic party has always been frank
IN the statement of lis principles.
You have only to read the platform
at its last National Convention, and
you will find them set forth IN full.
Foreigner. | have read it, and find
the only distinctive point in it to be
that after four wears of failure to
restore the Union bv war, there
ought to be an immediate cessation
of hostilities." | suppose the tri-
umph of the Government over the
rebellion in the fifth year of the war
must have obliged the Democratic
party to ADMIT that they are mista-
ken.
Dem. Mistakenl Sir, the Democratic
patty was never mistaken. But on
reflection | perceive that the princi-
Piles are not stated in its PLATFORM
The first is that this is white man $
country, and that black men have no
constitutional right to vote, espe-
clally 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 fashioned Connecti-
cut Democrat.
For. Well he defines a Dc 40
crat to be one who favors the ex-
tension of the right of suffrage to all
classes of men" How is it that a
man can be Democrat solely be-
cause he opposes that doctrine?
Dem. Politics have changed since
" clusters time. He did not regard
negroes as men.
F'or- Indeed. He defines a negro
to be one belonging to the black
race of mem"
Dem. Well, Webster was mere
pedagogue. Our statesmen have
thought differently.
For. Who are your statesmen?
Dem. Andrew jackson and
For. Andrew jackson led the free
negroes to the polls, and voted with
them side by side.
Dem. Oh yes, we would be per
fectlv willing TO 7ead them to the
polls, but the mischief is they won't
be led. They march to the polls in
pla toons and vote against US. But
this is not our principal point now
that the negro suffrage has prevailed
all over the South we have fnan-
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 a grecnhack?
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 currenv.
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, well consent to lose
what we have in greenbacks in order
to break down the aristocratic bond
holders.
For. And who are they?
Dem The rich men, the Astors.
Stewarts &c.
For. But l am told these men hold
no bonds, and that nearly all your
bonds are owned directly or Indirect
ly by poor men.
Dem 1t must be mi ghty 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
deposit in the Savings bank, which
she has saved from her cheese and
butter.
For. Y Gou are both bondholders
then. Are your lives or property
insured?
Dem. We have policy on our
house.
For. What are you such aristo-
cratic bondholders
Dam 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 business
with them. In New York State
the Savings Banks alone hold S49,
100000 in bonds Those of Massa-
chusetts S25. 900 900: those Of Rhode
Island SI3. GOO. 900. and, including
the other thirty-four States, it is
safe to say that their Savings Banks
alone hold $500, 100000, and that
these represent the savings Of three
millions OF poor people. The mum
Der of deposItors IN New York and
Massachusetts, together amounts to
s04.50l persons. all of whom are poor,
and their humble savings would be