Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-04-06
Senator Sprague Againv

This gentleman is astounding the country
by his exposures of the corruptions of radi-
calism. On Wednesday last he made another
speech-this time, on the question of finance.
The Alexandria Gazette in referring to his
recent course, says:-
Senator Sprague, of Rhode Island, may not
be the coming man." but he is the man ''who
has come. Almost every day lie celebrities"
the country, and astounds the leaders of the
dominant party in the Senate, By some vigor>
Gus assault upon abuses, and corruptions, or
by some graphic picture of the downward ten
dency Of public affairs. He has, for the time,
at least, taken the wind out of the sails" of
those who have heretofore figured as the prom
inent Senator's He may be abused-and rail
ed at-as lie is-by the managers of Radical
politics, and his speeches called ''tirades," but
it is very certain that these same speeches are
eagerly sought after and read all over the
country, by those who read Congressional
speeches. at all. People crowd the galleries
now to hear Mr.. Sprague. What he says is
now more talked about, than what all the rest
of the members of Congress cay.
Tho following is an extract from his last
speech -
He attacked the present national banking
system. The banks were managed by men
who knew nothing and cared nothing for the
general business of the country except SO far
as it could be used to further their own in
terests These great capitalists controlled
everything They came here and in the other
House, and who could resist them? he (Mr.
81 knew himself of case where one of these
great interests had come forward to person
aud asked him to make a certain report on
certain matter, and offered him $4,000 down
and the gittering temptation of 100000
when the report was made.
If We are not standing upon volcano he
was very much mistaken. The cries are con-
stanty coming up from the people, Save US
and 80 per cent. interest. He felt anxious
about the situation because he had seen the
tendency of things for three years he had
studied it deeply, night and day, and he
believed he comprehended it.
The Senator from Massachusetts, (Mr. Will
SOM drew such glowing picture Of the pros
perity of the country. What did that Senator
know about business? What did he know
about society? How much oft did he mingle
with How many of those with whom that
Senator associated could give comprehensive
view of the condition of the country? That
Senator understands parties, but he mistakes
his calling when he attempts TO give utterance
to sentiments touching the interests of the
masses of the people. The cities are pros
porous because the whole capital of the coun-
try is concentrated in the cities, and is there
used to build up the cities, but the people
outside of the cities are not so Fortunate
Anonymous letters had hsen addressed to him
to the effect that he must be very familiar with
the disturbing element in American society.
He was familiar with it, or he would not have
assumed to speak of it. Americans who go
to Europe plunge into all the immoralities
there, and mixing with this filth, they come
home and contaminate their own countrymen.
The people Of the country should under
stand the pressure that was brought to bear
to shape legislation that their representatives
we're untrue, and that the country was breaks
ing down. The Senate of the United States
was responsible for the present condition of
things. We can never arrive at specie pay
ments on the road that you have commenced
and followed with such terrific disaster to the
interests of the people. Our friends from
the South will get no possible advantage from
this act, although they think they will, and
he voted against it because it would increase
the wealth and influence of New York. he
would pledge his whole property that if they
would ouly adopt the plan suggested by him
our finances would soon be placed in as healthy
a condition as those Of Great Britain.