New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-20
DEMOCRACY And HARD MONEY.


We are glad to be assured from so many
authoritative sources il the Democratic party
that the party as an organization Is perfectly
sound on the currency question. We rejoice
to learn, too, that all the gentlemen who have
been named as candidates for Speaker are
hard money men. 1t would be unkind and
uncharitable to insinuate a doubt as to the
absolute sincerity of these candidates or OF the
party as q whole. Perhaps it would be I'M
reasonable to exact any proof OF Their earnest
ness. Parties are so little given to deception,
aud politicians are pTOverbially so straightior-
ward and frank, that we ought perhaps to take
their promises aud professions as the very
gospel of politics and never question further.
But it does occur to Us, in view of the Tact
that Mr.. Randall of Pennsylvania, the most
prominent candidate for the SpeakerShip, par
ticipated q short time ago in the deliberations
of a Convention Of his party which adopted
an initiation platform and never protested against
the performance, that little statement, dis
tinct and explicit, of what he does believe in,
and to what extent, would not be out Of place
or he unintercsting reading. Nor does it seem
unreasonable to suggest that Mr.. Kerr OF In
diana might appropriately explain whether he
is as much i'll favor OF imitation now as he
appeared 10 be in q noteworthy speech OF his
delivered in the House in 1870, ard whether
he is or is not now III favor OF measures Tor
an early return to specie. Indeed, 1t IS not
too much to say that distinct declaration
upon this subject formally made by the party
at the FIRST opportunity, say upon the assem-
bling Of the Congressional caucus for the
nomination of a candidate for Speaker. would
be looked upon by the general public as
very timely and proper proceeding
If all these gentlemen believe that the party
is sound on the currency question, there can
be no harm in their making it the first bust
ness of the session to say so pnmply and
fairly. 1t would he very unfortunate to have
the suspicion gain currency that the Great
Democratic Party cares more for the spOils OF
Office than for principle. If Hand Mo: oy is,
as we are told cardinal doctrine Of Democ-
racy, word or two in the form of a resou-
ton stating the fact would 90 far to settle
any doubts that may have arisen III
the popular mind with reference to
it. 1t may have happened-we think
such possibility has been suggested
heretofOre-tbat in the confusion and haste OF
caucuses and conventions some one has been
Struggled into Congress under the gulse OF
Democracy, who is not genuine Democrat in
the sense of holding to this fundamental arti-
Gle Of faith The introduction of resolution
upon the subject in the caucus would be
good test for such persons, if any there are.
OF course they would not expect to act with
party with which they are not in sympathy
upon so important an issue of current politics.
They might retire and form an alliance with
Mr.. Kelley and such others of the opposition as
favor soft money and nominate candidates OF
their own. The Democrats i'll the approach
ing Congress have to make up record for
their party upon which TO go into the next
Presidential election. The currency question
is the one in which the people feel the most
interest, and tho action OF parties upon it will
be curiously and closely scanned. IL would be
very polite and very wise to begin early aud