Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-09-08

the next election. Party lines are not
drawn closely enough on the question,
though the past record Of the Demo
cratic party gives it a prima facie
claim to be consider ed the ''hard mon
ey' party, That it would be greatly
to the interest Of the country if our
currency were redeemablc III gold is
so obvious that have never heard a
Democrat dispute it, The party is in no
degree responsible for the present con-
dition Of the finances, nor for the cx-
lstence Of a nalional paper currency, it
opposed its establishment and now,
when about to come into power after
fifteen years without authority in the
government, it finds paper the only
circulating medium, interviewer with
all the bu! mess concerns Of the people
SO intimately that the system cannot
be suddenly disturbed without a'seri-
Gus and perhaps dangerous shock to
the entire body polite 1t is not us
ually considered good practice to
plunge tevered patient into an iced
bath. | leave the application to you.
A large portion Of the Democracy be.
lieve the paper currency an evil from
its inception, that the war could have
been waged much more cheaply and
economically without suspending spe-
Gle payments and the fever Of specula-
ton engendered by the immense in
crease OF the circulation would have
been avertcd and the effects of the war
much sooner dissipated. Whether,
however, it would be practicable or
even possible to put matters relative
to the currency in statu quo ante bel
lum,' at this time, is quite another
question.
Q. 4. You appear to question the
practibility Of immediate resumption.
What is the obstacle to it?
\. 4, While | believe every patri-
otto citizen would rejoice to see gold
and greenbacks interchangeable IL,
'heir face value, | also believe immed
late resumption impossible, Moreov-
CT, political conditions remaining rs
they are, | do not think it practicable
to liz date arbitrarily in the near
future which shall ensure resumption
ut the time appointed. The act for
resumption in 1879, passed by the in
t1atlon Congress last session. really
against its will, was a mere 'brutum
tumen' device to catch the banking
interest and satisfy The President,
without practical force Or intent. The
country was not deceived by it.
With continuance of the deep
seated corruption in office, whereby Il
large proportion Of the revenue is di,
vcrted from the Treasury. specie pay
ment will never be had though every
fresh volume Of the statutes should
contain its enactment. The effect of
mere resolutions Of Congress to dimin-
ish the gold premium vas shown more
than ten years ago. For obvious req
sons, the Republicans are seeking to
make the currency problem the great
subject of discussion of the next Presl-
dental campaign and our people will
make grievous mistake if they fall
into the snare laid for them. The aim
Of our party if successful should be to
administer tat government by homes
ty and economy rs to collect the rev
enueS, curtail the expenses, revive the
industries and promote the agriculture
and commerce ofthe country and thus
enable Us to Glide imperceptibly and
shock into specie payment. |
believe n Democratic administration
under either Of several gentlemen who
have been named for the Presidency,
would suffice to place the country in
position to resume, and while these
gentlemen may not be entirely united
On this financial question, they are en-
tirely agreed as to the absolute necas
sity of an honest and economical adj.
Of the government, . the
only means by which a permanent
and satisfactory solution Of the cur
rency problem can be obtained.
@. 5. You seem to think it would
be unwise for the Democrats to make
the currency a leading party ISSUE.
VIA, would be the object of the Re
publicans in bringing it into promi-
hence, since, as you say that they are
both responsible for the currency
and the present state of the finances ?
a. 5. A prime object in political as
well as in military campaigns is to in
duce an enemy to attack where your
lines are strongest and to refrain from
attacking positions you wish to keep
but cannot defend. The Republican
party has been famous for this kind
of strategy. 1t has been it, chief
means OF success Of late years. But
the ole weapons in its armory are no
longer available, they are rusty and
worn out Some even have fallen in
to the enemy's hands. The riot, out,
rage and plumber business in the
Southern States, used 'to fire the
Northern heart" is now known to be
mainly inspired by Republican stipen
diaries for personal aud partisan ends.
Now the party is on the defensive.
The various Administrative Depart,
ments have been parccled out among
corrupt rings, whose profiigacy has
been so extreme that, in spite Of every
effort at conceament. enough has
leaked out to create great alarm and
distrust in the public mind. II is felt
a mere glimpse only has been obtain
II 4