National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-18
DEMOCRACY-EAST AND WEST

opinion OF the pOsltlOnJ aims and prospects
Of the party in the coming elections, and,
as these elections will in a great measure
influence those Of two years hence, of its
aims and prospects in 1875, when the Presi-
dental battle will take place. The events
at indianapolis, Wednesday of this week,
when the Democratic State convention was
held, plainly indicate that there is a wide
difference of views between the Democratic
party of the West and of the East. The
Indianapolis convention was "large and
enthusiastic - every county was repre-
sented, and the gathering chose as its pre-
siding officer the leading Democrat of the
State and one of the leading Democrats of
the country, gentleman of high personal
character, who is himself strong candidate
for the Democratic Presidential nomination,
Ex-Governor Hendricks. In advance we
were informed that Mr.. Hendricks would
have everything his own way, and that the
platform to be adopted would be precisely
that upon which he would like to rLn as a
candidate in 1876, and which would serve
as a model of Democratic platform literature
in the West this year. Therefore the views
which have been put forth at Indianapolis
become of unusual significance, and are en-
titled to the gravest consideration.
Omitting the usual stereOtyped condem-
nation of the party in power, which is a
mere matter of routine, the most important
''planks" of the document in question are
49, -,I,.;,r - tha 6popnas Thav q 70
81. We are in favor of the redemption of
$3.50 bonds in greenbacks, according to the
claw under which they were issued. 2.
owe are in favor of the repeal of the law
"of March, 1869, which assumed to con-
"strue the law so as to make such bonds
payable exclusively in gold. g. We are
Gin favor of the repeal Of the national
banking law, and the substitution of green
"backs for national bank currency, 4. We
care in favor of return to specie pay
"ments as soon as the business of the coun-
"try will permit; and 5. Weare in favor of
''such legislation from time to time as will
adjust the volume Of currency to the COM
"mercial and industrial wants Of the coun-
cry" The sum and substance of all this
is reiteration of the Pendletonian doctrine
of 1868, which was so overwhelmingly de-
feated by the people in the first election OF
General Grant. 1t is out-snd-out repudia-
ton, which the National Democracy at
Baltimore, in 1872. disavowed in the fol-
lowing resolution ''The public credit must
''be sacredly maintained, and we denounce
"repudiation in every form and guise. u"
The proposition to pay the ive-twenty
bonds in greenbacks. and to repeal the law
declaring that they shall be paid in gold, is
a blow at the credit of the Government
abroad and can be productive of only mis-
chief and disaster. 1t may suit Indiana,
but there can be no doubt that 1t will not
suit the Democrats of the East or Of any
other section of the country who have the
least regard for the honor and reputation Of
the Government Mr.. Hendricks. we pre-.
sumo, thinks that in the present excited
condition of the public mind-especially
among the Changers and others-upOn the
financial question, this pet plank Of his will
bring him votes, but triumph of this char.
actcr would be one of the greatest misfor
tunes that could befall the country. Il
would mean, in the eyes of the holders o.
our bonds in Europe, that we were paving
the way for reputation, and so affect oul
credit as to ruin thousands Of enterprises
upon the success of which the welfare and
happiness of the working classes in greaI
measure depend.
When we consider the position of The
Democratic party in the East, whose battle
CRY, rs heard in the New York World, il
'shard money and free trade, " it would seen
to be the policy of Mr.. Hendricks and hi
1 friends to create a split upon the inancia
question and build up new party upon al
unlimited supply of greenbacks and de
preciated currency. Mr.. Hendricks ap
pears to have an idea that he can lead suci
q movement in 1876 and be elected Presi
dent upon it, From the report Of the pro
ceedings Of the convention we learn tina
the platform was agreed upon merely 70
the sake of harmony" Ex-senator Fitch
who presented it, said "a diversity o
sentiment manifested itself in the com
"mittee on resolutions, as doubtless exist
there, but the majority did not ask, no
''did we make, any concession of the time
'chonored principles and conditions Of oul
''old party. Within these elements thert
was diversity Of opinion, but deibera
''tion and desire of harmony among them
SELVES have brought them finally to tn
conclusions embodied in the resolution:
''and platform they have instructed me K
report" Harmony is a wonderful thing
4 in a Democratic convention. The mos
sacred principles and ideas are often repu
dated, as they have been in this instance
merely to preserve the machinery intac
and to maintain the iron discipline 70
which the party has been in all its history
so distinguished. The resolutions wer
f therefore passed, "a few of the boldest
however, voting no." The financial pOr
ton Of the platform is a direct defiance
f the Democratic organizations east OF til
Alleghanies, and evidently not without
] purpose. Ifthat purpose be, as we think
+ is, to coerce the East or to make divisio
: upon the financial issue, as seems yer
+ likely, the general political situation under
e goes a complete change, and it is by n
T means improbable that we shall witness
!, reorganization of party lines. and that hur
e dreds of thousands who stand in opposin
b ranks now will find themselves side by sid
fighting under the same colors two year
4 hence. The New York E0sning Post, th
u World, the Express, the Boston Post, an
a other Democratic journals in the East, cal
v not support party and candidate who's
Y platform will be the same as that ju
|. adopted in Indiana, and. whose leader wi
Y entertain the ideas enunciated by Mr.. He
n bricks in his address to the convention
at The Indiana Democrats have virtual
s taken q new departure, leading from i
II stead Of toward their Raasarn hrethren.
al is q most important step, and the chapte
re to be written are likely to prove as int
es esting, if not more so, than that which I
is Just been closed.
10 PRESIDENT MARCH, in his address befC
"a the Pathological Association at Hartford, ?
:. in strong plea for q reform in spellin
Everybody who has the least pretensions