National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-07
THE DEMOCRATIC policy


Let us put a leading Democrat on the
stand-nOt an ''Old bunker, but one who
represents the views Of his party as sue
cessful candidate for a seat in the Senate of
the next Congress. We mean the Hon.
William Eaton, Senator-clect from Connec-
ticUt. In a recent speech in New York, on
the occasion Of a Democratic jubilation
over the recent elections, he said at was
q no time for spceCh-making as they (the
"Democrats) had met rather for rejoicing,
Gas all along this seaboard, from New
Hampshire to North Carolina, they had
ga Democratic Government. And they
"TejOiced that once more men were TO be
''frce. Money was a good thing, and hard
''money was a very good thing. And free
E'trade was a good thing, too, but free men
''were better. Not ten days ago a friend
"Of his in Louisiana had been arrested by
can armed man, who, when asked for his
authority, had tapped his sword in an
"sweT. He had not a shadow of doubt
''that the time for such answers was past,
"and that men were once more free. 1t
''was amusing to see how they shook that
90 'blOody shirt at US. But victory is ours
"once more, and the Government is ours.
"The' Government is ours, because, after
g the 4th Of March next, that branch Of
- the legislative body that has con srOl of
"a the public purse is il the hands Of the
I" Democrats. All that is necessary for
them to keep in power is to be as wise as
"serpents and not near so harmless as
"doves. And if the Democrats are wise
"they have before them thirty years Of
"power. But one thing is certain, under
democratic rule, within twenty years the
"debt will be paid and taxes will be re-
"duced. Over and above the interest on
"the debt there is now yearly spent more
"than $S0,000,00O more than ever was
"spent before. He desired to be person
Tally responsible for the opinion, because
"he had examined into the matter, and
"was certain about it. He was anxious,
stoo, that the Government should paw its
"debts, and pay them honestly in its own
"currency, according to the terms of the
'contract. Every step of the Democratic
"party must be toward specie payments,
"and the moment the annual expenses of
"the Government are reduced 300, 0OO, 900,
''the first step would be taken"
No man who reads current history cor
rectly " i'll hesitate to denounce the FORE
going extract from the new Senator's
speech as a budget of infamous falsehoods
and deceptive promises. 1t nevertheless
serves the purpose of furnishing something
authentic as regards the future policy of
the Democratic party. The whole thing
is so inconsistent, however, or so strangely
at variance with the pronounced views Of
the Democracy in different sections of the
country, as to deserve more than passing
comment
Il will be noticed, for example, that he
proclaims himself to be in favor of hard
money, which he says is a good thing;'
but he forgets to explain why the Democ-
racy of the West have taken issue with his
ideas on this point, or how it is that the
party, in view of the many conflicting theo-
ries regarding this subject which find rest
ing places in the minds of its followers, can
even make plank in a national platform
satisfactory to sll OF its members. 1t will
also be noticed that he has ''taken stock, -
SO TO speak, in the lying telegrams sent