The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-08-18
SENATOR THURMAN'S SPEECH.

SENATOR VI OulO gives III uHCcFtdlu
sound. 1t has clear ring, is manly,
frank and decisive in tone. He
stands by every word he has hereto
fore uttered in regard to the financial
question, is consistent with his rec
ord and faithful to his convictions.
Nothing less was expected by those
who have followed his public career,
and nothing more was required by
the political situation. So much for
the personal part Of his utterances.
An attempt has been made by GER
tain organs of spectators and a
class of designing politicians who are
not troubled with scruples or prihci-
piles, to raise a clamor over the cur
rency plank of the Democratic plat
form in Ohio, and thus ignore or
keep out of view the vital and practi-
cal issues upon which the people of
that State are to pass judgment in
October.
Bad as in our view is the platform
of the Ohio Democrats concerning
the currency, it is no worse in any re-
spect than that of the Republicans,
who all of sudden, after having de-
bauched the public credit and depre-
ciated the paper issues which they
uttered, are assuming virtue they
do not possess. Who is responsible
for the policy which has brought the
country to its present pass? Who
made the legal tenders inferior to
their face promise by an invidious dis
elimination? Who packed the Su-
preme Court in the interest of great
corporations and monopolies to up
hold this financial policy2 Who crea-
ted the system of extravaganza, cor
ruption and fraud by which the people
have been robbed and taxed at the
same time, until the last ounce broke
the cameps back, and the burst bub-
BILE scattered bankruptcy over the
land2
The Republican party alone is an
swerable for these evils. They have
had complete possession of the Gov
eminent since 1861 in every depart
ment. In Congress their majorities
were crushing, intolerant and pro-
scriptive. A feeble minority strug-
gled in vain against the most shame
full and selfish legislation. Every
protest was denounced as disloyaI,
and every man who raised his voice
of warning was branded as a REBEL
That was the only answer when the
vices, dangers, and consequences ola
reckless system were pointed out
But it is said the policy was made |
necessary By the war. Necessity is
always a ready plea. Granting that
the exigency did require extraordi-
nary means, and that these paper is
sues were justified while it lasted,
does that relieve the Republican par
ty in any wayS More than ten years
have passed since the war ended
During that time they have not only
taken no step forward to restore the
public credit on sound footing, but
every act has been in the opposite
direction, unit. the country to-day is
In far worse condition than at the
close of the war.
The only pretence made of return
ing to the right road, was at the last
session of Congress on the heels of
an imitation bill passed by the very
men who concocted this scheme in
caucus, and did not dare to defend or
explain it in open Senate. That act
proposes to resume specie payments
on the LIST of January, 1879, without
making the least real provision by
which that desirable end may be
reached. It is an audacious decep-
ton on the face of the law, and de-
signed, as Senator Thurman truly
says, to tide over the Presidential
election. They might just as well
have passed an act to pay off the pub
lie debt on that day. for one is as
practicable as the other. An eighth
part Of the whole allotted time has
already gone by, and instead of "sur-
plus revenues" to be used for this
as the Sherman plan pro-
yides, the moderate estimates of the
Treasury have fallen behind hand.
The election in Ohio cannot affect
the financial question. But looking
to the Presidential contest and the
hope Of a healthy change in the adj {
ministration of public affairs, the po- {
sltion Of Ohio at this time is of an &
Importance which rises far above the Q
success of candidates or the advance :