New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-08-01
POLITICALs
A spoech from Senator Thurm nm,

oksYSs@ AVsAA 0OenSVE AAuTm
MANSFIELD, O., July 3l.-Senator Thur
man addressed Def boratio meeting here
to-day. In the course of his remarks he said:
You, my fellow Democrats, are what are
called hard money men, and am hard
money man; that is to say, we do not be-
lieves in an ,irredeemable paper currency
We believe that such currency must neces-
sarily fuctuate in value, lead to specula-
tion and extravagance, and benefit no one
but money shavers and speculators
consist Of gold and silver, and for
convenience paper aonvertibleat par into
gold and silver at the will of the holder.
Now it has been roundly asserted that the
platform of our late convention means lust
the opposite of our opinions; that it means
an irredeemahae paper currency now and
forever, and consequently that gold and
silver, or paper convertible into gold and
silver, shall never form part of our circu-
lating medium; but certainly no such idea is
expressed in the platform, nor do believe
that it Is entertained by majority of those
Ohio approve siu. / know that there are
men who advocate the abandonment of
gold and silver as money; who scout the idea
Of the redeemability of currency; who assert
that whatever the government calls money
money, and who regard irredeemable
greenbacks as the best currency the world
ever saw. But l do not think that these
nen constitute majority of the late con =
vention, or ofits common resolutions. Had
SUCH been the case these views would have
been expressed without ambiguity; but You
look in vain in the platform for direct ex-
preston in 0v0r of irredeemability, or q d.
rect assertion that gold and silver should
be demoralized. 1t advocates the substitu-
but it nowhere says that greObacks should
be irredeemable. On the contrary, it CON
templates that they shall bS brought
to par with gold. and although we
may not be quite able to sec how
that can be done in the mode
proposed, it's desirableness is most dis.
tinotly and fully recognized; and then as
to initiation the platform does not expressly
demand more curredey; it denounces con-
traction. but does not say in plain words,
give us imitation. What it does say, is that
the volume of currency be made and kept
equal to the wants of trade, and this is all.
Now, suppose that there is not and never
has been Q man iR any civilized country
who wodld not say that the volume of cur
rency should be equal to the wants of trade.
The practical qsestion is, have we that
volume nowY and up0 this question the
platform is silent.
To him who believed that the present
volume is sufficient, it means no initiation,
for in his mind it is already equal to the
wants of strade. To another man who
thinks that more currency is needed, it
does mean expansion and so whether it
means one thing or the other, depends upon
the preconceived opinions of every one WHO
reads it. Suppose, for instance, that an
upon . imitation bin Should look Il to this this
platform for his guidance, Nhat light
would he gets What Is there in
ite to tell Aim whether he should
vote for the increase of currency of ton
millions, . hundred millions, five hundred
millions, or no increase at alls Now, the
gentlemen who framed this platform are
able ana bold men, masters of the English
tongue; capable Of eaying what they mean,
and 6y no meens afraid to say it. When
Therefore. they plainly denonnce contrac-
tion. but fail to expressly advocate infls-
tion, is not the presumption fair that they
do not mean inflati01! Understand me, I
am na defending the platform, for in some
particulars I do not like it, and leave it to
those who approve it the task of its advo-
cacy; nor ANAL criticising it, for l have no
disposition to be . critic, and leave that
role to our common adversarjes; but think
it but justice to say that the platform has
is expressed in it, :and more than
was - meant as believe by those
who framed it. In saying this do not lose
sight of the Interpretation placed upon it
by some of its friends. / know that some
of its warmeet advocates regard it as q
declaration against gold and silver, and for
an i.redeemabb greenback currency now
and forever, coupled with great and perma-
nent initiation, but for reasons that have
partly stated, and othsrs that have no
time to state, believe that these men are
comparatively few in number. The truth
is that there Is q wide diversity of opinion
among tho people of all parties upon this
subject. There are Democratic hard
money and Democratic paper money
men, Republican hard money men
and Republican pape money men. Demo-
cratic Hasumptionists, and Republicaa infls
tionists. The question il not strictly
party question. Henest @en of.all parties
may be found a its opposite sides, and a.
Il hD ever bssn afeee any great panic BY
which tho country has besn afflicted. No
naa has dsne eonvictisns On this subject
than have. They arc tho result Of much
looN1uv1D on x1a1yz RAa1