The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-12-08
THE ISSUES BEFORE THE COUNTRY

lib lSSU6S Dill Oh1 LII OVON LII :
The hope that has lstely cheered the Re-
publicans that the currency question would
divide the Democratic party in Congress and
throughout the country is rapidly passing
away. If there is to be perpetuation of Re-
publican rule as the result of the election of
1876, it will not be the consequence of dissen-
sions in the Democratic party. Neither is it
possible now that the heresy of imitation can
be fastened on the party, thus committing it
to an unpopular idea and to fallacy against
which it has been arrayed during the whole
course of its history. The mistake of the
Ohio Democracy in pressing question which,
whatever its importance, could only impair
the strength which it derived from the cor
ruptions and bad administration of the Repub-
lcans, was remedied by the sudden defeat of the
Democratic ticket in that State and in Penn
sylvania. The loss by the Democrats of Ohio
and Pennsylvania in November last, whilst it
unquestionably elated the Republicans, and
aroused them from depression SO profound
as to threaten their party with speedy disso-
luton, was, after all, fortunate event. 1t
saved the Democracy from a deadly struggle
"a struggle which might even have proved
efectual-against the attempt to force the in
fation heresy upon the party, and, at the same
time, averted the possibility of repetition
during the Presidential canvass of mistake
which could not fail to prove disastrous.
1t is true that the outcry raised against in-
fation, as a practical financial expedi-
ent was superdous and unnecessary. 1t is
true that no practical plan of Initiating the
currency could be devised, which the common
sense of the public would for moment toll
crate, and that, therefore, the evils OF expan-
sion we're not to be dreaded. But it is equally
true that the public were alarmed by the mere
agitation of the question, and that to insist On
the maintenance of an irredeemable currency
was justly regarded as only little less PERM
cious than to demand fresh issue of paper
money On the other hand, whilst the DEM
ocratic party is relieved from the danger i'm
piled in appearing before the country as the
champion of system of currency condemned
alike by experience and by reason, it is not to
be supposed that they will engage in
any reckless schemes for an immediate
return to specie circulation. There may be
fanatical hard-money men as well as fanatlcal
paper-money men. Whilst it is desirable to
replace greenbacks by gold and silver, it is
likewise desirable that the change be effected
with the least possible shock to the delicate
relations of debtor and creditor and to the
business interests of the country. If the
Democratic House of Representatives can
contrive measure fulfilling these require
ments it will comply with the reasonable ex-
pectations of the public and still further
strengthen the party for the contest of next
year.
But whether successful in this or not the
Democrats will not, We may be sure, abandon
the offensive and aggressive policy which gave
them the majority in the House, and placed
the party in so commanding a position The
financial question is important, but it is not
80 important as to overshadow the grave issues
growing out of the shameless corrup!ions
which have characterized the conduct of the
government under Gen. Grant; the gross
abuse of power in the Southern States; the
perversion Of judicial functions, and the illegal
use of military power; the Credit Mobilier
scandal; the Indian Bureau frauds; the Dis
trict of Columbia ring, and the Whisky ring,
and the fragrant defiance of decent public
opinion by the President in his intimacy
with notorious plunderers and criminals
Any one of these causes would be
enough to overthrow an administration
in England, where public opinion acts
more quickly and more energeticaly than in
this country. If they have not yet comprised
the final overthrow of the Republican ad-
ministration it is because it is only at def
mite times and regularly recurring intervals
that the American people can effectively ope
rate upon their government. But the oppor-
tunity is close at hand, and we can not doubt
that it will be improved to the extent of
complete transfer of political power to the
hands of the Damocratic party,