Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-02
THE INITIATION CONTEST.
Senator Norton Heading a Revolt
EsepudiatIOn the Final End In View.
Washington correspondence Of the New York

1t is undoubtedly true that The veto
was a surprise to the most Intimate
friends of the President here, and es-
pecialy TO those from the West. who
had recently and confdentialIy coAfer.
red with him on the subject. 1t was
also surprise 10 a portion Of his Cab
met, FOR the fact is indisputable that he
had prepared brief message APPROX
ing the bill, which was read to them a
few days before he suddenly changed
| front.
The only reason assigned by the
Presidents friends for this remarkable
transition is that he was convinced of
the unsoundness OF his own arguments
after reading them to the Cabinet, and
therefore destroyed the intended mes
sage that night. This explanation has
the authority of the White House
stamped upon it, and therefore is the
| best that can be made.
The real truth of the causes and in
fluences that operated TO bring about
IN so short time the extraordinary re-
suit may not soon be known, for the
greatest pains have been taken to guard
the secret and to disarm suspicion as to
the motives which finally controlled the
Presidents mind. The moneyed friends
whose society he most affects in Phila-
delphla, with some In New York, were
undoubtedly influential in the decision,
while 1t is more than probable that
promises of a third term were freely
made, with or without authority, ON
behalf of the banks and capitalists.
Tht athe President wheeled about
from Senate bill inAationist to his
present peculiar position will not be
disputed in any responsible quarter.
| This fact naturally excites apprehen-
sion in regard to measures which are
now proposed, for if at the last hour
he could be led of from one conclusion
deliberately formed, of course he is la
bic to be taken in another direction
with the temptations and persuasions
that will be offered by the unscrupu-
loas leaders of cheap currency.
Mr.. Morton looks forward to this
possibility as last hope of relieving
the situation. Hence, though chagrin-
ed by the veto, and somewhat crushed
by the shock to his reputation, he does
not thus far indulge in any violent ex-
preston, but, like a skillful general de-
feated IN an ambuscade, is gathering
in his scattered forces, and calmly en-
forcing discipline to expel disorder.
Gen. Logan is more impulsive and
less under the subsection of self-com-
mand. Perhaps, however, his parox-
ysm will pass off before the test comes,
although at this time he puts aside all
restraint, is vehement in denunciation,
and even irreyerent In speaking of His
Excellency," He threatens to exploded
mine in open Senate, but for all that
the internal machine may not go off,
Behind these personal considerations
plans are maturing for something more
substantial, In the event of further dis
appointment. They are comprehensive
and serious in both political and ma
terial point of view. 1t is proposed to
hold great mass convention at Spring
field, H., IN June next, under Republi-
can auspices, to make formal declara-
ton to the people on the financial CUES
ton. Democrats and Independents
sympathizing with the objects of the
convention will be invited to attend
from the West and the South. and the
East, too, if they Will come.
1t is intended that Mr.. Morton shall
lead that movement by submitting the
programme of proposed relief in regard
to the currency, cheap transportation,
and other subjects which are now en-
gaging public attention.
The consequences of such a move
ment, if made on the scale now design
ed, must be to SILVER the Republican
organization to pieces. even before the
fall elections would be permitted to
write its epitaph. The result is of
course fOreseen and taken into account
by the managers of the new enterprise.
Perhaps some Of them are glad Of this
mode of escape, as it opens up to their
vision the chance of a brighter pros
pect than now exists in a party doom
ed 10 certain overthrow.
Other motives are prompting some of
the actors in this project. Sensible ad-
vOcates Of initiation know very we'll that
the present scheme is only the begin
ming of the end. They admit if this
policy be once inaugurated that it Will
be followed inevitably by still greater
demands, until the currency must be-
come degraded like that of the late
Confederacy, where n market basket
full Of Treasury notes would not buy a
decent dinner. A Republican Senator
representing this interest was asked if
this course would not lead TO repudia-
ton. "Oh, yes" he answered, ''repu-
diatiOn is what we desire. That Is the
short cut to relief"
This may seem a reckless idea, pro-
voked by defeat and resentment, but it
is not more so than an inconvertible ear
rency, and it may be described, indeed,
as the logical cOnsummation Of that poll
cy. It will be asked, Are there many
people IN favor Of this extreme resort?
Yes, hundreds Of thousands are scat
tered over the country, who Will spring
up at the first signal to carry it out.
The South has been given over to
thieves, adventures and knaves by sys-
TEN at Washington. The President
and Congress have year after year en-
couraged the Outrages by which its
prosperity has been blighted and its
people prescribed.
Thus impoverished and stricken, the
South Is not able to bear its part Of the
national burdens and to submit to the
ruinous robbery Of carpet-baggers and
their confederates at the same time
1t is therefore ready for any expert
mcnt, however visionary or wild, that
may offer a remote hope Of delivery
from this terrible torture. Hence re-
pudiation has no terrors for the discon-
tented people, who are bowed down I'M
der a yoke more CALLING than any ever
inflicted on Poland.
At the West there is a large and
growing opinion that the war was de-
cided by its sacrifices, and that New
England made them a source of spec
ulation, by which hundreds of millions
were acquired, that are now used as
capital to maintain an overshadowing
monopoly. 1t is believed that in addi-
ton to the power welded through the
control of this capital the West has
been harshly taxed for the support Of
Eastern manufacturers, by means of
venal legislation procured for their
pTOtit