The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-08-17
RING OF The TRUE METAL.
THE VOICE OF REAL STATES
MANSHIP IN ALABAMA.

RlNG Uf IHE IhUE MElhU.
;. THE VOICE OF REAL STATES
MANSHIP IN ALABAMA.
Speech Delivered Before Large DEM
ocrutic Gathering at Johnson's Wells,
near Huntsville, by General l.. p.
Walker, OH the 2lst of July.
FELLOW CITIZENS: The National
Democratic party inaugurated at st.
Louis, on the 9th of June, 1876, pollt-
cal campaign that will be forever memo
rable in the history of the country. The
Convention had many characteristics un-
usual in avowed party assemblages. Al
though it had in it many men OF nation
al reputation, recognized leaders OF the
party, it was, nevertheless, pre-eminent-
fy, a Convention of the people, and not
of the politicians. 1t represented popu-
lar sentiment far more than party fealty.
1t discarded the old traditions that re
quired surrender of the popular judg-
ment to the behests of the party leader,
and sought in its nominee the represen-
tative of an idea, rather than the tavorite
of clique. Never before, in the history
of the country, was the distinction so
strikingly exhibited between popularity
and strength. da
Hendricks and Bayard-par mobile
tratrum-were universally popular
Loud huzzars followed every mention OF
| their names. Men grew hoarse with
shouting their praises, and the music of
| many instruments intensified the enthu-
! siasm. On the contrary, Governor Til
den was not popular. Great reformers
never are. There was no magnetism in
his name, no jubilant and shouting ad-
vocacy proclaimed his merits. The
thought he represented, the idea he en-
bodied, were too serious for iintemperate
and thoughtless vociferation. But the
convention, in the wise exercise of a
reticence ofjudgment, preferred the man
of strength, without popularity, to- the
man of popularity without strength.
This discrimination was an inspiration.
No forethought could have provided for
| it, as no generalization, could prevent it.
It overrode an opposition unparalleled for
! intensity and strategy, combining wealth,
intellect, official position, and, in rare
degree, public worth and private repute.
Its opportunities and activities were
marvellous, and its organization and gen
eralship admirable. No army, with ban
ners, ON, the, eve of battle, was ever
maneuYered more skillfully; yet this
opposition vanished under the domina-,
J. tion of public opinion, as semblance dis
appears before reality. A nomination,
4 thus gained, means victory not the per-
sonal triumph of "a man, but the glorious
installation, in the sacred Temple Of
Constitutional Liberty, of the idea the
man represents. a,,
| That idea Is reform not superhclal
and transitory reform, yagrant and un-
steady in, its movements, sensitive. to
criticism, and obedient to party necessi-
ties, but Radical, thorough and excessive,
reaching the evil wherever it may be
! found, whether in Republican or Demo
cratic, practices. .,,..1i.s>,se.
:, Our declaration of principles perfectly
outlines the form and pressure of the
evils that harrass the country; it pene-
| trates the subsoil in which the tap-root of
corruption is planted, and is the living
and breathing embodiment of the spirit
of constitutional government. 1t de-
mands the abdication ofa corrupt party
which seeks to live after its mission is
ended, and the great issues that gave it
soul and spirit have passed into history.
1t demands restoration of the old habits
of simplicity, and honesty in the public
service. It demands q publication of
the whole edifce of government, from
dome to foundation-stone. 1t proclaims
Il that sreform is necessary to rebuild and
establish in. the hearts of the whole peo-
j pie the Union" 4. l..
4 Great as were the evils of war; terrible
as were the suferings of our people, i'm
poverished and bankrupt at its close,
what the country has endured from car
pet-bag tyrannies, borne with heroic for
titude, appeals to the manhood of q great
nation, with potent eloquence, stronger
than party, allegiance or sectional
4 estrangement. This declaration means
national Government, with restored con-
fdence, returning prosperity, home rule,
revived memories of the glorious past,
one brotherhood, and the Union as it was
under Jefferson and Jackson, and as it
will be, thank God once again, under
Tilden. 1t proclaims that, reform is
necessary to establish sound currency,
restore the public credit, and maintain
the National Honor" Mr.. Webster
said, s.of all the contrivances for cheating
the laboring classes of mankind. none
has been more illusory than that which
deludes them with paper money. This
is the most effectual of inventions to
fertilize the rich mans field, by the sweat
of the poor mans face"
It seems to me that the very shades Of
Andrew Jackson and Silas Wright, and
all its great leaders, who have departed
this life in the faith of The fathers, and
who gave to its principles strength, unity
and power, would rise in mutlny were
the Democratic party to repudiate the
seminal idea of Democratic faith, by re-
cognizing as constitutional or permanent
any other currency than gold and silver
Since Abraham bought the cave of Mach.
pelah as q burial place, for silver shekels
hard money has been the only recognized
currency of the world, by all civilized ma.
tions. Mere promises to pay, though at
tested by the sign-manual of royalty Ii.
self, when kingly authority was recog,
nized as divine, is "a changing standard
of value in the hands of the people" dis.
reputable to the government, unjust and
oppressive to the masses, and profitable
only to the usurer, who speculates upon
the necessities of the poor, or the
fears of the timid.
In the eleven years of peace, the fuc'
, tuations in values, resulting from the de-
probation of the currency, itself con
stantly changing BY esb ana now Gon,rne as Suo
as the waves of the sea to the physica
laws of nature, would have paid the
i national debt, great as it is, five time:
over. The record, the traditions anG
, principles of the Democratic party a. al
; favor what Mr.. Webster called "tlit
! money of the constitution" But re-
! turn to this constitutional currency mus
|