The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-04-22
WHOM THE GODS WOULD DESTROY
THEY FIRST MAKE MAD.n

/
not avoid the responsibility. In the
Herald of the 10th we find q labored
argument in favor of the Fay construc-
ton of the Sth resolution of the Dem
ocratic Platform. The article is enti-
tied. "The advantage they give US, !"
and is masterly absurdity. 1t pro-
ceeds first upon the assumption that
the bondholders have repudiated the
terms of their contracts because they
insist that the bonds are payable in
coin. Was there ever wilder asser-
ton than this made by any one above
the age of puberty? A owes B q note
calling for one hundred dollars. B
insists that he is entitled to coin; A
says he will only pay greenbacks.
Does this make b repudiate his con-
tract with A and entitle A to say I will
repudiate the debt because you want
me TO pay in coin? What arrant non
sense!
! ih ~ iON hhCSB IitC tAtAO Hat-
ronizinsly says: 1--WE would be in ia
yor of holding them the bondholdersl
to the written contract and forcing
them to take greenbacks at par but for
the fact that, o,eisg TO he procf. the in
terests OF the people can hest be sub
served by joining on the issue the bond
holders have made" Now We would
respectfully ask, what proof and what
issue does the astute editor of the Mr-
aid mean? In what court is this inves-
tigation being had? Where does this
"proof" come from and who produces
The testimony? Will he answer us by
saying that he is the tribunal, and that
the case is triab,e within his ''jurisdic-
ton p Ii so, then we ask who consti-
tuted him court to try the rights oi
the bondhoider, or any other man, in
any such way?
Again, the article says: "By repudi-
ating the terms of their contract the
bondholders have invited an investiga-
ton into their affairs" and "the Dem
ocratic party, looking to the interests
of the people, joined issue on The nen
plea and advanced the equitable adjust
ment system rs successor TO the prop
osition to pay grcenbacks," and .'we
will cause your affairs to be adjusted
according to the rules of equity. -
Now, in the name of common sense
ii the bondholder is the plaintiff, de.
manding coin for his bonds, how car
he, as a matter of law, enter "a new
plea" or any other kind of plea il
the premises? Defendants, not plain
tiffs, file pleas, in court of law. Bu
suppose a plaintiff could file "a new
plea" how is it that the defendant
goes at once into equity? Was there
ever such O transition heard of IN 1
court OF law? The rule is that so Ion:
as man has legal remedy he canno
go into equity at all. Then how cal
there be an equitable adjustment,
as the Herald understands it, so lons
as the bondholder has an action a
law?
When we hear a lawyer talk abou
a plaintiff filing ga new plea" and
defendant in an action at law offerin;
to "equitably adjust" by repudiatn;
the entire debt, the plaintiffs de
mands, we are inclined to doubt on
senses. It. must be patent to ever
lawyer that the dafendant in the cas-
at bar, If he thought the bonds shoul'
be paid in legal tenders, would hav
the right to tender them to the plaint
if, and then the plaintiff, if he re
9 fused to accept the tender, could asl
court of law to compel the defend
, ant to pay him coin-and get it if h
could. If he succeeded, defendant
. would be mulcted for the costs; if h,
failed, the plaintiff would undoubt
edly have q right to receive the full
amount of the tender. There is n,
! legal ground for the gentleman of tn
Herald to stand upon. His premise
are all false, his conclusions iliogica
: and absurd. The argument is scarce
. ly respectable pettifogging-i 1t certain
ly is discreditable to the writer an'
damaging to the party of which he i
member.
~ If that paper, as a Democratic nom
lnee, expects the support of Demo
Gratis, it must not repudiate the plat
form. The party cannot allow tn
great opportunities within it's reach t
De lost by the incompetency or Grim
nal blunders of it's leaders. The da
lis now too late and the place too fa
removed to attempt to barter away th
principles seupon which our battles hay
been fought in each State and Terrific
t ry, and upon which the united Democ
, racy of tho nation went through tn
, last presidential campaign, for th
twaddle contained in Mr.. Fay's letter
We have q higher, appreciation Q
IL ! r y Il