New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-19
THE NTYT JYFL1TION DODGE.

A letter from Chicago, published herewith,
gives an interesting account of the effects OF
the Ohio and Pennsylvania elections upon the
politics and politicians of the West. 30 far as
imitation is concerned it seems to be set back,
not killed. The politicians of this period are
treating the subjects Of currency and finance
in the same way the earlier politicians treated
the question of slavery. The history OF the
country upon the question of the currency is
running on all fours with its history in relation
TO slavery. just as they said years ago, when
the honest sense Of the people rose up against
the extension of slavery and smOte 1T III the
face, "Oh well, we do not propose to extend
" or perpetuate it, but it is so delicate ques-
" ton that we must handle it gingerly
"apd not seem to be hostile to it, or to be
"worLing for its abolition" SO now we find
the politicians saying, upon the heels of the
Ohio and Pennsylvania elections, "Oh, of
"course we do not intend to increase the
"voume of the currency, but just now,
"when business is at standsuii and
I" there is condition of stagnatiOn in
"trade, we must be very careful not to do
"anvthing radical or revolutionary with refer
"ence to the currency. All we can do is to
"refuse anything like contraction" 1t is the
same story, amending and unchanging. Beaten
from its outlying offensive works, it just faces
hack and sounds truce. "All we want"
these people say, is to be assured there
shall be no further contraction And that
is Just all they want now. Meantime they
will rest and refresh and strengthen them
selves, and by and by push further. Is there
any voter so young or so Ignorant as
not to remember how the Slave Power
fell back after every defeat and said,
Gan we ask is to be let aloneW And
has any one forgotten how at last it ended i'll
the waste and blOOdshed Of war? 1t is the
same thing over and over now. THIS currency
question differs from the old slavery issue i'll
the fact that il appeals to the sense of honor
and honesty, while the other took hold of the
emotions and made its appeal to the feeling
of humanity But we may as well understand
first as last that it is an actual fight that the
combatants mean business, and that, III the
language of the frontier, it is " a fight for a
" funeral
1t is such struggle, too, as calls for men
who have the fiber Of martyrdom in them. 1t
cries aloud for men who think honestly, be-
lieye thoroughly, and act cOurageously; for
men who, not considering self or party or sue
cess set their standards away out in front of
all the lines and call to their fellows to rally
to them for the sake, and only for the sake, OF
right and truth. 1t is too bad that the Logans
and the 0glesbys should be conspicuous
in any country which boasts of its in
telligence. Too bad.-yes, shameful utterly
shameful,-that such man as Logan
should breathe all aspiration for our highest
place and be outside a madhouse. But there's
the fact it is treated seriously. 1t seems a
dreadful burlcsque. But the man Lifts mp his
chin and bowls, and whole Legislature mis-
takes the noise for sense and sends him to the
Senate. And there he plots-for it is nothing
but plotting, whatever be the means, when
such as hc aspire to be the leaders of poo
ple-plois to be in the first place in the
nation. Faugh! Can any one with the stOm-
ach Of decent person for a single instant
entertain The thought These men are char
latans, and they know it. Your Logans and