Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-04-01

The PERILS OF THE FUTURE.
The Growth of Southern Power
The Inevitable Result of Democratic
Restoration.
National Assumption of all State
Indebtedness.
Read, Ponder and Reflect.
Prom the Chicago Tribune,

that the indications furnished by last
falls elections, of a probable return
to power by the Democratic party,
naturally suggested tho changes
which in such a case would take
place in the policy of the government
These changes, we thought, were
perilous. Among these perils, we
particularly suggested the revival of
the doctrine of State Sovereignty, as
held by the Democratic party prior
to and during the war; the doctrine
on which secession was justified, and
which, in the event of Democratic
restoration, would again become
the directing principle of the govern
ment.
The Republican party having now
lost control of the legislative power
of the nation, and the Treasury hav-
ing passed under tie legislative con-
troll of the Democratic House of
Representatives, we invite attention
to another peril, which is much
nearer than the people think. The
| Democrats will have nearly two
thirds of the House. Already there
is an exciting contest for Speaker.
Sam. Randall, of Pennsylvania, and
Fernando Wood. Of New York, are
rivals; but both of these men are
salary -grabbers, open and defiant
and it is questionable whether the
'reformers" elected on that issue will
consent to the election of either.
The Southern Democrats will be in
majority, and can nominate whom
they please. Policy may suggest the
inadvisability of electing an ex.Con-
federate General to the Speak ership,
and yet the only way to get rid of
the Wood and Randall difficulty may
be to take Southern representative.
| Conspicuous among the Democratic
members of the next Congress, will
be Gilbert G. Walker, Ex-Governor of
Virginia, and formerly of Chicago
A man of imposing and dignifed
presence, good voice, agreeable man
ners, and politically acceptable to the
Democrats of both sections, he stands
fair chance to be the successful can
didate and be the Speaker of the
next House. In view Of this possible,
and we incline to think probable, re-.
suit, ex-Gov. Walkers political plans
for the future become of more than
ordinary Importance.
Just before Gov. Walkers retire
ment from the Executive chair of
| Virginia, he sent letter to the Leg
islature, in which he submitted, for
the consideration of the whole coun.
try, two propositions, distinct in
character, but harmonious in their
general result. These propositions
were: l. The assumption and pay
ment by the United States Govern
ment of all the existing legal indebt-
edness of the several States. 2. A
| constitutional amendment prohibit
ing the creation of future indebted
ness by the States. These two prop
| ositions he urged in an elaborate
argument, and upon this platform he
| sought and was elected to Congress,
in which body he will probably be-
come leading and directing mind
among his partisan friends. He pub.
lished a list of these debts, which foot
up according to his statements:
Total O32 ITO
Less in sinking fund 52736 900
1922 295. $50
Contingent liabilities, additional"..... s25OS, 1903
Total debt to be 1924 500. 313
The contingent debt is in the form
| of State Inducements of railroad and
other bonds which the States will
have eventually to pay. Here is a
direct bid for the support of those
States, at the next election, which
owe large debts, and of which it is
assumed, the people of such States
would be glad 10 get rid. 1t is sim
gular that the Democratic party is in
a majority 10 those States which are
thus heavily in debt. This table of
Indebtedness was made up in Febru-
airy, 1873, since which time many of
the Northern States have reduced
their liabilities, while in the Southern
States the debts have been increased
by two years of accrued and unpaid
/ interest. We didide the table into
three parts l. Those States which
are Democratic, or could be induced
to vote for the party that would re-
lieve them of their debts. 2. The
Republican States. 3. Those which
the Democrats think debatabIe. We
give, from Walkers table, the whole
debt of each State, less the sum in
the sinking funds, and the Electoral
vote of each State:
| DEMOCRATIC STATES.
| States. Debt. Eectr Vote
| Alabama .......................$ 1e 100000 IC
| Arkans ......... IL $4,000