The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-08-04
WORDS OF WIsnnM


LETTER FROM GOV. PALNER-THE PARTY IN
POWER - WHAT KIND OF \ PLATFORM Is
NEEDED THE FINANCES PROTECTION
| AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTH.
CHICAGO, July 29.-Gov. Palmer, in q let-
ter to l.. l.. Merritt, Secretary of the Demo-
cratic State Central Committee. saws that
though it is impossible for him to be in Chi
cago on the 10th, he viii take the liberty to
make few suggestions. He saws that the
party which now holds possession of
the government is 80 completely under the
control of mere political managers and their
adherents, that hereafter its formal platforms
will declare any form of political doctrine to
be Republicanism which will catch votes and
repudiate the soundcst and best established
truths whenever and wherever they may
happen to be unpopular. The letter contIn-
again submit to the country an
honest, frank and well defined
platform of principles. 1t would have gone
| to pieces during the last session of Congress,
/ but for the agreement that everything in
in craftsmanship and politics should thence
forth be regarded as non essential, and il
must be apparent that what is known as
the opposition have as yet determined
upon no common grounds of action.
| Nor do i suppose it to be possible
now to present to The country declaration
of principles upon which all opposed to the
party in power can agree It is true that
every citizen must perceive in the reck less
ness and extravaganza of Congress and i'm
| the corruptioDs which disgrace almost every
department of public service, and the en-
croachments of Congress and the federal
judiciary upon the people, and their con-
tempt for the limitations of the constitution
occasions for alarm. But the difficulty to
be surmounted is TO find some basis of union
1 which will enable the people to cooperate
for the public good. In my Judgment the
end can be secured in but one ways and that
is to go before the country upon a declara-
ton of principles that shall be frank, uneva-
sive and true, and which shall, by its plain
ness, carry proof with which it is presented.
As the finances of the country is subject
of deep interest let il speak out frankly for
an early return to specie payments for an
honest discharge of the public debt in coin,
| and denoulce the specious but deIu-
sive idea of discharge of any
portion of the obligations of the
government in irredeemsble promises.
| The people OF the United States are engaged
in contest with the great corporations that
have monopolized the carrying trade, and
| through appropriate agencies the State gov
ernments are attempting to compel them to
submit TO
RULES, REASON AND JUSTICE.
while the corporators have attempted to es-
cape to the jurisdiction of the United States.
Weary of the restrictions imposed upon
them by public law and the charters
granted 10y the States, they asked the inter
ventiOn of Congress and the federal
courts. II Congress can be inuced
under specious pretext Of aiding in
| the construction Of trunk lines
to engage in the creation of a railroad col
poratiOn. at no distant dav State charters
I will he abandoned for organization N
the federal law, and the whole subject of
railroad control will pass beyond the au-
thority of the States. A platform should
re-assert the authority Of the States
TO regulate their own affairs, and
the authority of Congress to in
Fterferc with their internal affairs should
| be denied. TaXarion is at once a neces-
sity and a burden of civilized government.
Taxation can only be justified when inn
posed for public necessity. The people of
the United States will no longer submit to
burdens imposed upon them for the sake of
what is called protection. IJ is hardly
consistent with what suppose to
| be the proper limits of this communication
that should go farther but / can not for
! bear saving that nearly 100000 colored
voters i'm the South. and more than an equal
number of white voters in the same States,
are jealous and distrustful OF each other.
Each looks to the central government for
support against the other, for which support
they are ready to pay any. price that may
be demanded of them by the
party in power, and neither have
confidence in the opposition. The colored
voters doubt the inclination, and the whites
have NO confidence in the ability of those
opposed TO the Republican party TO do
themselves justice or to protect them, and
as a consequence, the whole South is
at the feet of the administration. 1t is
now demanded, not only by a just re-
gard for the welfare of the people
of the South, but by considerations,
that deeply affect the perpetuity of free in
situations everywhere, that the different
races in the late slave States should be hsr-
monized, and be taught to look out for
themselves and to the influence of just laws
and their impartial administration for pro-
lection and for the promotion of their hap
piness. 1t is to be hoped that the opposition
| by its cantlor and justice will he able to win
the confidence of all classes in the South, and
by that means TO remove what seems to me
to be one of the most serious dangers that
! threaten the country. Very truly yours,
etc. JOHN NJ. PALMER.