The Portland daily press., 1875-08-26


thought that when we got within two years
| that greenback would go up to par so 1t would
b. as good as gold when the time arrived. The
| idea had been tested in Englandl 10 Germany,
in Belgium, in Austria aud many of our own
| State banks had resumed IN the same way, and
| iG was believed that when the four years had
expired the greenback being at par and moe
convenient then therewould not be great de
mand for gold. 1t was not the purpose of the
bill to retire the greenback from crculali IN,
but to make it as good as gold. This currency,
had almost said, had saved the life of the
nation, and our purpose was not to destroy it
bnt to Improve it. We desired to MAKE it a
perfect currency. There was great difference
on the question. Some we're in favor of the
expansion. Some advocated contraction, and
Others believed in letting it alone. Therefore
the bill must be compromise one. We m ade
banking free, but to prevent ex oanson it was
provided that whenever 100000 of national
bank notes went into circulation, 80 per cent.
of greenbacks should be retired. Then we made
ano her provision in regard to fractional cur
rency. We authorized the Secretary of the
Treasury to purchase silver bullion, end then
take up the fractional currency, beginning with
the lower de formations first
Now those who oppose this bill thave got to
oppose the bill authorizing specie payments.
When the Maine Democracy say they aresop
posed to this bill they cannot say they are in
favor OF specie payments. The question, be
leve is settled. This bill has become law. 1t
is settlement of the question. The great ques
| tons OF the Eext campaign are the questions to
which 1 have reverted. If the Democratic
party proposes to make the currencylone We are
prepared to meet them. l exhort you not to
turn aside from the main issue to side issues
The success of the Democratic party means the
loss OF the successes of the war, the loss of re
construction, the elevation of the Confederate
soldier to an equality with the Northern
soldier, the payment OF rebel pensions The
Democraticlparty are committed to the destruc-
ton of all the fruits OF the war. Don't be de,
luded by the Syren song of peace. These
Southern men mean business. They want no
man who is not fully identified with their inter-
ests.
THE LEADERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
All those who are leaders of the Democratic
party, in any national sense, were closely iden-
titled with opposition to the war, to the con
| stitutonal amendments and to the work of
Reconstruction. Soldiers with honorable rec
| ores in he Union army are received as volun-
teers and may be put into official positions OF
| subordinate character in doubtful states or
| districts, but no such man is or can become
| leader of the Democratic party in any national
| sense. An officer who resigned in the presence
of the enemy and came back to join the ranks
OF those who were opposing the war, would
| doubtless be a greater favorite. The men who
are now the acknowledged national leaders OF
the Democracy are your Seymours, Tldens,
| Bayards. Thurmans, Pendetons, Aliens
Hendricks, McDonalds et id oannes genus all of
| whom were recognized throughout the West as
| sympathzers with the rebeion; denying the
| power of the government to suppress it, and
opposing to the bitter end every measure for
hat purpose. Gov Hendricks of my state
| first broug bit forward the allnrng picture of a
! Northwestern confederacy, showing how lit
tie we bad 10 common, in the Northwest with
the New England States, and how much we
had 10 common wi h the South Senator Nc
| Donald, my colleague was my competitor Tor
| governor 10 Indiana in 1864, and opened the
| campaign with the declaration that we had
now tried the remedy of war for three years,
and it was time to try some other remedy. His
sympathies, which were strongly with the re.