The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-02-24
,ErTER PROM SENATOR THURMAN

HIS Views on the Financial Question.
:CoLuMBus. Feb. l6,-The following
important letter from Senator Thur
IaaD was read IN the Dem ocratic eau
Gus Wednesday night
Hon. Hen'y Boil, House Of Reprt-
Senfoficcs, Col"M6ps. Chic:
Mr. DEAR SIR II am Obliged to you
for yeur favor or tha lIih inst, and
chcerfnlly comply will our request
to give you my opinions in reference
to the resumption act, for l have ne
opinions upon public measures to con-
ceal, and never have had. Whether
my views be correct or erroneous, ! at
lcust have the merit OF having frank
ly stated them. AS to the resumption
act, l have certainly left no room for
Misunderstanding. / voted against il
and spoke against il more at large than
almost amy other Senator in almost
every speech iaade upon the stump
last year, at Mansfield, Ashtabula,
gainesville, Gallon. Richmond and
Delaware. For example, denounced
1t while avowing my belief in the time
honored Democratic doctrine that spe-
Gle Is the only safe basis for our cur
rency. l took pains to show that the
resumption act was impracticable and
fraughf with injury TO the country.
insisted that the Ohio PLATFORM, truly
interpreted, did not repudiate specie
basis. but on the contrary, recognized
1t as desirable. In this | concurred
with the remarks Of Mr.. Pendleton in
his speech OF July q, 1875, at Gallipo-
lis. He said: but believe l inter-
pref truly its (the Democratic party's)
opinion and platform when say that
we are in favor of coin as basis of
the currency: that paper currency
should be convertible into coin at par !;
that we desire to return to specie pay
ments as speedily as the interests OF
labor and business will permit; that
we would be glad to return immedi-
ately it honor, and good faith, and JUS
tice would permit and 1t were possible.
We are not now aud never have been
in favor of al Unlimited issue of green
backs or bank notes we are not now
and never have been in favor OF re-
pudiatiOn in any iorm.'
These, In my opinion, were wise aud
true remarks, and opportDnely and
bravely spoken, for it is not to be de-
MED that there is q new currency
school that, repudiating the teachings
OF the fathers and the lessons OF polit-
ical economy, insist upon dem0netiz-
ing gold and ,ilver, aud that this new
school interpreIeu, or least might iD-
terpret the Ohio platform to suit them
selves. And yet, tor expressing pre-.
cisely the same views as those OF Pen.
dlctOn above quoted, have been de-
nounced in Ohio as false to her DEM
ocracy, and by certain journals in the
East as an apOlOgist for imitation and
an irredeemable currency. It requires
no sagacity to see the animus of these
assaults. When the views Of an indi.
vidual are assailed by men of diamet-
rically opposite opinions, it is natural
to inquire what produces this phe-
nOmenon. Subsequent rejection and
the practical working of this resump-
tion act have strengthened my con-
victions of its injustice and impolicy
Hence,O ,On the 7th of last month"; spoke
in the Senate az follows:
The Senator here quoted the speech
he delivered in the senate against the
Resumption Act on January 7th. 1876.
or course with these views | shall
continue to oppose the act and hope to
see it repealed, and a proper measure
substituted for it. l believe that such
a measure will surely be agreed upon,
and that all reasonable aud patriotic
men who look to the welfare of the
party aud OF the country will consent
TO it. do not expect that any meas.
ure will satisfy everybody. There is
such n diversity Of opinion and such
extreme views upon the subject, and
Il calm consideration against it has
been so marred by the iutemperate
defamation and dcmunciation that
perfect harmony is not To be expected.
But | trust That there are wisdom and
patriotism enough in the party TO
biing us Il substantial agrecnlrui. for
without such AN agreement the party
will! have no chance for success, aud
the country no rciict from The oppres
>ive leg isiatiau OF the Radical party
II j. noi lime Tor blind dic.aiiun by
extremists Of any sort, hard or soft.
As To my views iii reference to con
traction oi tic curraucy il is only nee
essais for uie 10 remind YOU that
have stesdily opposed contraction As
well As imitation ever since | have held
IL sea, in lie senate.
thus, my frienu, at some length
answer your inquiries. | have thought
it due to your friendship and To your
official position 10 do so.
fIupin: that what have said may
meet The Appreciation Of your own
Judgment.
am yours truly,
Signed A. q. THURMAN.