The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-12-08
WHO Hal BE SENATOR.


A LETTER FROM COZ. DENRY.
HE HAS BEEN A M'DoNALD MAN FROM THE
bEoiNNiNG-WHILE NOT SEEKING THE sFN-
AaohsHlP HE WOULD ACCEPT IL TENDERED
The FoSiIIoN-HIs FINANCIAL VIEWS.
several OF the Sentinel exchanges have
suggested Col. DENLY, of Evansville, as the
proper person to send to the Senate 70 suc-
coed Mr.. Pratt. Some of these have urged
That gentleman earnestly, especially the
Martin County Herald, e~liciting from him a
private letter, wherein he states his position
upon that question, and others pertaining
t~hereunto. Mr.. II. A. Peed, the editor.
acknowledges the privacy of the letter. but
i~ustihes himself in making it public on the
ground OF its great Importance. Now that
1t has gone before a portion of the public
and is an admirable contribution to current
pontlcal history, the Sentinel spreads it be-
fore the reading public at large:
EVANSVILLE, IND, Nov. %, 1874.
HESRY A. PEED, ESQ, Editor Martin County
EAR SIR: You did me a great honor in
your editorial of the 10Th inst, in recom-
mending me for United States senator
such distinguished commendation. coming
rom a gentleman OF your high character and
ability, will be treasured up by me. though
l am undeservirg ofit. THANK you he .rtiIy.
Your article demands at nv hands
that L should treat you fairly. / can
not accept in silence such honorable mem
tion, and leave you in doubt as to my posi-
.loh ON she man question to which you al
lude. The position of United States Senator
VIII never be sought by me-, but would not
De declined II 1t were offered. | had Thought
that the democracy had generally conceded
That the Hon. j. E. Mcdonald was to be the
senator. L say to You frankly that | ap-
DrOVQ0 This QnnRInoann n AL
me to make the financial question a test, but
L favored his election on account of the long
services, the faithfulness, the many virtues.
the ability and the high character of the man.
! came to this conclusion before / knew that
Mr.. voorhees, was a candidate, and I have
not changed it since. During
THE LATE
democrats of all financial views stood
shoulder to shoulder. Since victory has
been won, we must compronis Use our differ
ences. If the public good shall require that
neither Nj. Mcdonald nor Mr.. Voorhees,
shall be the recirient of the great honor of the
senatorship, tLen some new and untried
mar must be selected. / presume nearly
every man has some sort of financial
theory. The platform, whether so intended
or not, was such that every man might
find a plank to stand on. The result of
The elections and our own knowledge
demonstrated that no democrat voted
against his party, whatever financial views
he might have entertained. We had the
honest, If curious, spectacle of the chair
man of the democratic central mmitt
the president of the nominating con.
yentlon repudiatiDg some portions while
they supported others, and lesser men ON
each side followed their example. / find no
in supporting the platform except
on the question of ronnolfn- tLo
OF 1869 and paying the ive-
bonds in g~reenbacks. III I
had been a member of Congress L should
have voted against that act, but the deed is
done. L can not enter into the discussion of
propriety or constitutionslity of re-
it now. But my opinion is that the
attempt to repeal it would be utterly
DISASTROUS To THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
would utterly tail, and IN sound reasoning
could not be upheld. If then this question
S the test you allude to in your article. I
must forfeit your support. But 1 can not
orfeit your respect. nor can you deprive
ne of the pleasure Of remembering
he high compliment you have paid me.
agree that the national bank currency
hould be withdrawn, and ~greenbacks
hould supply its place-with the proviso
hat Congress shall pass laws subjecting gov
notes to taxation as other property
s taxed. 1t will not do to exempt the
money of the wealthy classes while the
of the poor is taxed. The bonds
re now exempt. If we exempt all the
money of the country also. the bur-
len will be ~unegaaiiy and oppress-
vely borne by the poorer classes.
However, theory, and even. history,
nay extol specie payment, / agree that we
an not now enforce il. Time must develop
vhetber we ever can. In public position L
hould obey the wishes of my friends and
ejghbors, Who are beyond doubt without
egard to party affiliation, in Indiana,
pposed to resumption Of specie payment.
t seems to me that the good of the country.
'hich is dependent on the continued success
I the democratic party, demands that
NO t VIEWS SHOULD
ut that some financial tEeS-y should be
lopted which shall serve as a compromise.
Iaving been a lifetime democrat, 1 can
promise that no vote of mine, in
: out of public position. would tend to mil
ate against the welfare of the body of the
Iagree also that ~greenbacks should
3 receivable for all public dues. | have
this private and not for publication.
have lone so because L intended it simply
an acknowledgment of your kindness,
I'D because 1 thought you were entitled to
y views. Yours truly,
CHARLES DENNY.