The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-09-01
THE OPPOSITION.
THE FIGHT FOR GOLD.
A PLEA FOR HARD MONEY.


FIELD, ILL.-THE PLATFORM ADOPTED
SPICY DEBATE ON THE RESOLUTIONS.
The democratic convention at Springfield,
H., on the 10Th instant, was enlivened by a
speech by ex-Gov. Palmer, followed by 8
pointed and brilliant debate On the Chicago
platform. Ofthese proceedings the Chicago
Tribune of the 9th instant contains a full
account:
SPEECH OF GOV. PALMER.
On motion of @. G. P. Holden, a committee
of three, consisting of Messrs Holden, Casey
and Burr, was appointed to escort Gov. Pal
mer to the chair. Mr.. Palmer, who was
warmly welcomed, returned the usual
thanks, and proceeded to say that it was true
that in the earlier part Of his career he acted
with the democratic party; subsequently diff
fering from that party on questions of i'm
mense moment, that had passed away, he
had acted with the republican party. For
the last four years he had not acted with
the republicans, because he honestly diff
tered from their views OF public policy.
They had all met there that day
to redeem the political errors into
which the country had fallen, without regard
to party. It made no difference to the gen.
eral issue OF reform whether he belonged
to the republican party five years ago or ten
with gentlemen who belonged to the old
democratic party. Circumstances had pre-
cipitated devastating war, which had es-
tranged them from the southern section of
the country. That was termininsted, and it
was the interest of all good men that that
section, which had rebelled and which had
suffered for its rebellion. should be governed
according to the principles OF free govern
ment, the principles of the American people.
lGreat cheering.l For his part he was glad
TO meet with gentlemen OF all
parties for the restoration of sovereign
fights, and to give political economy to all
the people of this great nation. Presiding
over the deliberations ofa body composed,
as that was, of men who had showed the
sacrifices they were ready to make, and had
made, for the country in, 1872, wnen they
voted against the dominant power in the
land Loud cheers], was somewhat novel,
but no less gratifying to him. Napoleon
once said while the enemy as watching the
TANKS of the other party, he should remem-
Der that he had TANKS to defend himself.
Let their watchword be Aggression! Ag-
erosion u! Aggression!!! and they would
90 forth to conquer liberty for their coun-
try in 1876. loud cheers.]
THE PLATFORM.
The committee on platform, through Mr..
Harrington, presented the following ma
jority report:
1. The resumption of gold and silver as
the basis of currency, the resumption OF
specie payments as soon as possible, with
out disaster to the business interests of the
country, by steadily opposing initiation, and
by the payment of the national indebted
ness in the money of the civilized world.
2. Free commerce, and no tariff except fol-
revenue purposes.
8. Individual liberty and opposition to
sumptuary laws.
- fl,a &c
both state and national, to the legitimate do
main of political power, by excluding there
| from all executive and legislative intermed-
ding with the affairs OF society, whereby
monopolies are fostered, privileged clssse:
aggrandized, and individual freedom un-
necessarily and oppressively restrained.
3. The right and duty of the State to pro
| tect its citizens from extortion and unjust
discrimination by chartered monopolies.
The following telegram, from the Penn
sylvania democratic convention at Pitts
burg, was received and read:
Gold basis; hard money almost without
dissent. What is yours? j. RANDALL.
MINORITY REPORT.
| DIR. Roberts, of Tazswell, begged leave tC
present a minority report. They only diff
fered on one plank of the platform-the first
They proposed to substitute for that the
following:
The restoration of gold and silver as the
basis of the currency, and the resumption Of
specie payment at the earliest moment prac.
tlcable, without any injury to the business
and commercial interests of the country
| [Applause.]
Mr.. A. J. Hunter, of Quincy, said that he
was in favor of adopting the minority report
because he wished to support the Interests
OF the most of the people, rather than the
| bankers and bondholders.
Mr.. Harrington, of Kane county, said that
he was in favor of the first resolution in the
majority report. 1t was issued from the
councils of patriotic gentlemen, who met in
Chicago, July 80. and who wished to redeem
the name of the democratic party from the
odiun of reputation. The time had come
when they should stand right up and show
their true colOrs, declare their true princi-
Piles, and that they were honestly In favor
OF paying the just debts of the nation
now stood before the country in the'posi-
ton of having a -,
| TURNED THEIR BACKS
on their two platforms; had become, il
word and fact, the party of reputation. HI
was tired of hearing the old story about tn,
greenbacks. II it was good enough for tn,
laborer, said the republicans, it ought to b,
good enough for the bondholders. Tha
was a Pendleton idea, clap-trap expires
sion. 1t had come to grief. and it deser vet
to come to grief. They had pledged them
selves in the majority platform to pay theil
| just debts in the currency of the civilized
world, and there was no going back upon it
| lCheers.] frf4 f.-ae
Both resolutions were called for, and the
secretary read them, the minority resolution
being much applauded.
Judge Edwards, of Hancock county, sale
he had heard much about resumption o.
specie payments. When were they going
to do it, and what were they going to do il
with? He asked Mr.. Harrington, were they
| going to do it with their pockets emptyf
He proceeded to show the Increase in the
rate of interest, and declared that the finsn
cal condition of the country was such, that
simply absurd.