The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-11-11

its credit for wears, and sunk the value
of its bonds below the price commanded
by the securities of smaller and poorer
States. 1t also hurt the credit OF the
General Government and added millions
to our debt. Upon this point Lucins
Robinson separated from his party. IL
was not until after the lapse of years,
when another Democrat was elected
Governor, that the disgrace was wiped
out. In 1865, at a Democratic meeting
at Seneca Falls, "the imitation OF our
currency" was denounced ''as dangerous
TO the business interests of the country"
In 1866, at the great meeting held at this
place, it was stated that we all agree we
must come to Specie Payments; that we
ought to do so as soon as'we can." In
1867, at State convention, in discussing
the controversy about the rightful way OF
paying the national bonds when were
not by their terms payable in gold, 1t was
proposed to settle the question Dy max
ing our currency equal to specie in value,
in these words: snake your paper as
good as gold, and this question cannot
come up. Then the bondholder will not
care which you give him. This contro-
yersy grows out Of the fact that men do
not believe our legal tenders are or will
be as good as gold" In 1858, at the
State Convention which met to send
delegates to the National Convention,
this was the language used and received
with applause: 80
"If we come into power, there will be
no discredit on our currency; no specula-
ton of paying our bonds in paper;
thank God that the faith we all hold as
one man seeks to level up, not level
down. 1t means that sterling coin shall
ring again on the counter of the trades
man and glitter in the palm Of labor and
gladden. the heart of the wounded SOL
der"
l could follow down the course of
years to this date with proof to show
the injustice of the charge that we have
fought under the banner of Initiation.
have disproved improved censures, not
for partisan reasons, but because such
charges, coming from one holding high
position, injure the cause OF public ialth
and virtue. For the Democratic party OF
this State stands in the front rank OF
those battling for sound currency.
wish could show as clear a record on
this subject of the actions and language
of ihe Republican leaders. would
gladly set it forth for the benefit OF the
cause Of good currency, to which all par
ties in New York are pledged. Let all
bear in mind that those are the most
dangerous repudiationists who waste or
nisapply the taxes drawn from the peo-
ple for the payment of the claims Of the
public creditor. / read that part OF the
speech which pointed out the evils OF in
aation with great pleasure, and sympa-
thized with the satisfaction expressed by
the speaker when he alluded to the
Presidents veto. 1t would have been
more candid if he had stated that it was
to kill an imitation bill passed by Re-
publican Congress. Nothing can be more
clear and able than his denunCiations of
reputation. 1t scathes the conduct Of
the Republican Legislature of this State
in terms more severe than it would be in
good taste for me to use towards political
opponents, but he had to speak in plain
words Of his own party. When he says
1--WE must pay premium OF insurance
against our suspected rascality" he uses
strong but truthful terms. We will for
give his injustice to us in view Of the
Justice he thus administers to the men
who brought dishonor upon our great
and noble State. l will do no injustice
to the party which now governs the
country. admit that the same spirit Of
extravpgance which marks its expendi-
lures has been shown by every State and
municipal government, without regard to
the party which controlled them. Since
the close of the war the American peo-
pls have lost much of their former lab
its of industry, economy and public vir-
tue. Our troubles spring in great de-
gree from public rather than from politi
cal decentralization. 1t is san truth
that we must confess that all branches
of Government represent the spirit of
speculation, aid the efforts to gain wealth
by other means than by industry and
economy. We cannot correct these evils,
we cannot get back our people upon
higher plane of morals and habits, by
partisan abuse Reform must begin with
each man in his habits and those of his
family. Political parties must show their
merits by ferreting out wrongs in their
ranks, and they must prove their claims
to public support not by concealing but
by exposing the guilt of their partisans.
The highest tribute paid to the labors of
Governor Tilden, and to those who are
upholding him, is the fact that Republi- |
can journals and speakers claim that
their exposures reflect most strongly up
on the party to which they are attached.
The darkest shadow which rests upon
their party is made by the fact that they |
assail these efforts at reform, and are |
more anxious to condemn the conduct or |
the mistakes of the men who are laying
bare hidden crimes than they are to pun
ish the criminals. An occasional COM
pliment to the Governor, or vehement |
claim that they mean to uphold him in |
his work, do not offset the constant |
stream of censure or their labors to !
break down his supporters. In the end |
they will learn that their true course is |
to reform those evils under their own |
control, which are complained of by |
many of their own friends and by the |
public at large. 1t will be asked if the |
causes of bad government pervade all |
parties alike, what is to be gained by |
CLduBOp1 GO Ouo uculcb blldL Iub LDGO- |
ries of the Republicans make the cost of
government greater than it would be un-
der Democratic principles, if both parties
were alike honest, prudent and ecOnomi.
cal. Every exercise of power, every
project or undertaking beyond what we
admit it has a right to engage in, involves
expenditures and taxation. They cannot
be carried out without cost. Upon
these points we shut the doors of the
Treasury against ourselves. Centraliza-
ton means taxation. Every extension of
jurisdiction draws upon the pockets of
the taxpayers. Great as are the evils
of State and municipal taxation, that by
the General Government is much more
hurtfui in its nature and its operations.
/ beg your attention while make this
point clear. The evils of taxation are
not measured by Its amount alone, but
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