The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-08-12


extravaganza, and benefit no one but
money-shayers and spectators. We be-
lieve that our currency should consist OF
gold and silver, and, for convenience,
paper convertible at par into gold nd
silver at the will of the holder. In this
we concur with the uniform teachings of
the Democratic party, with the opinion
of every really eminent political econo-
mist the world over with the lessons OF
experience found in the history of every
commercial nation, and with the views of
almost the entire body of the business
men of America. Now, it has been
roundly asserted, and with q violence OF
speech that might be considered intem-
perate, that the platform of our late con-
Yention means just the opposite OF our
opinions; that it means an irredeemable
paper currency now and forever, and,
consequently, that gold or silver, or paper
convertible into gold and silver, shall
never form part of our circulation me-
dium. But certainly no such idea is ex-
pressed in the platform, nor do | believe
that it is entertained by majority OF
those who approve it. know that there
are men who advocate the abandonment
of gold and silver as money. who scout
the idea of the redeemability of the cur
rency, who assert that whatever the Gov
ernment calls money is money, and who
regard irredeemable greenbacks as the
best currency the world ever saw. But |
do not think that these men constitut, d
majority ofthe late convention or Of its
Committee on Resolutions. Had such
been the case their views would have
been expressed without ambiguity, But
YOU look in vain in the platform for a
direct expression in favor of irredeema-
bility or adireCt assertion that gold and
silver should be demonetized. Ii advo-
Gates the substitution of ereenbacks for
national bank notes, but it nowhere says
that the greenbacks should belrredeema-
bic. On the contrary, 1t contemplates
that they shall be brought to par with
gold, and although we may not be quite
able to see how that can be done in the
mode proposed, its desirableness is most
distinctly and fully recognized, And
then, as to initiation, the platform does
not expressly demand more currency. 1t
denounces contraction, but does not say
in plain words, give us imitation. What
it does say is, "That the volume Of cur
rency be made and kept equal to the
wants of trade" and this is all. Now, !
suppose that there is not, and never has
been, man in any civilized country who
would not say that the volume of cur
rency should be equal to the wants Of
trade. To say so is to utter mere tru-
ism, mere abstraction. The practical
question is, have we the volume now?
and upon this question the platform is
silent. To him who believes that the
present volume is sufficient, it means no
initiation, for in his mind it is already
quite "equal to the wants of trade" To
another man, who thinks that more cur
rency is needed, it does mean expansion;
and so, whether it means one thing or
the other depends upon the precon-
ceived opinions of every one who reads
it. Suppose, for instance, that an Ohio
member of Congress, having to vote upon
an initiation bill, should look to this plat
form for his guidance, what light would
he yet? What is there in it to tell him
whether he should vote for an increase
of currency of ten millions, hundred
five hundred millions, or no in
crease at all ?
THE OHIO PLATFORM.
Now, the gentlemen who framed this
platform are able and bold men, masters
of the English tongue, capable of saying
what they mean, and by no means afraid
to say it. Wien, therefore, they plainly
1enounce contraction, but fail to express
ly advocate imitation, is it not the pre-
fair that they do not mean in
1atiOn? Understand me, | am not de-
tending the platform, for in some par
.iculars do not like il, and | leave to
hose who approve it the task of its ad-
;ocacy. Nor am | criticising it, for ]
nave no disposition to be critical, and
cave that role to our common adversa-
les. But | think it but justice to say
hat the platform has been construed to
mean more than is expressed in it, and
more than was meant, as | believe, by
hose who framed it. In saying this |
10 not lose sight of the Interpretation
,laced upon it by some of its friends.
NOW that some of its warmest advocates
egard it as q declaration against gold |
md silver. and for an nirredeemable green |
,ack currency now and forever, coupled |
With great and permanent initiation; but |
or the reasons that l have partly stated,
md others that | have no time to state,
believe that these men are compare
lively few in number. The truth is that |
here is a wide diversity of opinion
mong the people of all parties upon this |
ubject. There are Democratic Hard |
money men and Democratic paper-money
men; Republican hard-money men and |
paper money men; Demo-
ratio resumptiOnists and Democratic in
Iationists, and Republican resumption
sts and Republican infationists. The
uestion is not strictly party question.
1Onest men of all parties may be found |
n its opposite sides, and so it has ever
een after every great panic by which |
he country has been afflicted. / have
lot heard an argument pro or con that
las not been advanced hundred times
n Europe and America before the panic
f 1873. But in the end truth is sure to
'revail, and in the meantime hard words
nd bitter accusations serve no good pur.
'ose. No man has firmer convictions on
his subject than have. Tney are the
esult of much experience, and OF long,
'atient, and conscientious study. / have
them time and again, in con-
ersation, in public meetings, in conven.
ions, and in my place in the Senate.
tand by them whatever may be my po-
itical fate; but do not assume to be in
allible, and ruthlessly condemn men as
incere as am who entertain different
pinion. Much less can ! sanction dis
upton of the Democratic party, because
n single State it has so happened that
convention chosen to nominate State
ficers only-officers who will have no
over the currency question
as, upon this one question, adopted a
latform that my judgment does not APP
rove. ! have been a Democrat all my
fe, and when and where to be a Demo-
rat was to be politically Ostracised.
ave clung to the party in its darkest