The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-08-10


Our financial system of expedienfs must
be reformed. Gold and silver are the real
standards of value, and our national cur
rency will not be perfect medium of ex-
change until 1t shall be convertible at the
pleasure of the holder.
As l have heretofore said, no one desiresa
return to specie payments more earnestly
than do, but do not believe that 1t viii or
can be reached, in harmony with the inter-
ests of the people, by artificial measures for
the contraction of the currency, any more
than believe that wealth or permanent pros
perity can be created by an imitation of the
currency. sRbe-laws OF finance can not be
disregarded with impunity. The financial
policy of the government, if indeed it de-
serves the name of policy at all, has been in
disregard OF those laws, and, therefore, has
disturbed commercial and business con-
fdence, as well as hindered q return to
specie payments. One feature OF that policy
was the resumption clause of the act OF 1875,
which has embarrassed the country by the
anticipation OF compulsory resump-
ton, for which no preparation has
been made, and without any
assurance that it would be practicable.
The repeal of that clause is necessary, that
the natural operation Of financial laws may
be restored; that the business of the coun-
try may be relieved from its disturbing
and Oppressive influence, and that a return
to specie payments may be facilitated by
the substitution of wiser and more prudent
Legislation, which shall mainly rely on a
judicious system Of public economies and
of official retrenchments, and, above all, on
the promotion OF prosperity In all the in
dustries of the people.
1 do not understand the repeal of the
resumption clause Of the act of 1875 to be
backward step in our return to specie pay
ments, but the recovery of false step, and
although the repeal may for time be pre-
vented, yet the determination of the Dem
ocratic party on this subject. has now been
distinctly declared. There should be no
hindrances put in the way of
return to specie payment; "as such hind
rance" says the platform Of the st. Louis
Convention, Eve denounce the resumption
clause OF the act Of 1875, and demand its
repeal"
/ thoroughly believe that by public
economy, by official retrenchment and
by wise finance, enabling us to
accumulate the precious metals,
resumption at an early period is
possible, without producing an artificial
scarcity of currency or disturbing public or
commercial credit, and that these reforms,
together with the restoration of pure govern
ment, will restore general confidence,
encourage the useiui lnFestment OF
capltai, secure employment TO lapor,
and reileve the country from the
paralysls Oh naro times. Win tne IN
quent interferences, and our platform truly
says that many industries have been impoy-
erished to subsidize a few; our commerce
has been degraded to an inferior position
on the high seas; manufactures have been
diminished; agriculture has been embar.
anu .ns s,s'. - =, - - .ss-
sas sss a.o.Is s..eIt y
- ~ =. e,e .'-s,ss
srs,ap, s.s1 ~ - ,a,,t,;o eh a
synend;tnres wh;eh hincrsesed st;on 9son,
FIVE dollars 2er can;ta in 1851, tn e;gbfeen
in Is7fl tells it, own storv Of o,,r mead of ia
cal reform Onr treaties with fore;gn. now
srs should aise he revised and amended in
sf far az, % thew leave The citizen If foreiou
birth. in any particular. less secure in any
country on earth rnau ti1ey wouId DC If they
had teen born upon our soil. The iniquitous
Coolie system, which, through the agency
of wealthy companies, imports Chinese
bendmen and.establishes pecies of slavery,
and interferes with the lust rewards of
labor on our Pacific Coast, should be utterly
abolished.
In the reform of our civil service, most
heartily indorse that section of the platform
which declares that the civil service ought
not to be subject to change at every election,
and that it not ought to be made the brief
reward of party zeal, but ought to be
awarded for proved competence, and held
for fidelity in the public employ / hope
never again to see the cruel and remorseless
prescription for political opinions which
has disgraced the Administration of the last
eight years. Bad as the Civil Service
now is, as all know, it has some
men OF tried integrity and PROV ed
ability. Such men, and such men only,
should be retained In office, But no man
should be retained, on any reconsideration, who
has prostituted his Office to the; purpose of
partisan intimidation or compulsion, or who
has furnished money to corrupt the cleo
| tions. This is done, and has been done in
almost every county of tks land. 1t Is a
blight upon the morals of the country, and
oreht to be reformed.
81 sectional contentious, and in respect
to our common schools, 1 have only this to
say that, in my Judgment, the man or party
that would involve our schools in political
/ or sectarian controversy, is an enemy to the
schools. The common schools are SO far
under the protecting care OF all the people,
| that under the control of any party or sect
they must be neither sectarian nor partisan,
and there must be neither division or mis-
appropriation of the funds for their support.
Likewise, I regard the man who would
raise or foster sectional animosities and
antagonism among his countrymen
as a dangerous enemy to his country.
All the people must be made to feel and
know that, once more, there is established q
purpose and policy under which all citizens
of every condition, race, and color will be
secure in the enjoyment of whatever rights
the Constitution and laws declare or recog
i nize, and that in controversies that may
arise the government is not partisan, but
within its constitutional authority the just
and powerful guardian of their rights and
safety. All the strife between the sections
| and between the races will cease as soon al
the mower for evil is taken away from &
marty that makes political gain out Of scene.
! Of violence and bioodshed, and the constitu
i tional authority is placed in the hands o.
men whose political welfare requires tha
peace and good order shall be preservee
/ everywhere,
entire a accord Go T with the platform of III,
Convention by which have been nom
1nased as eahaiqass "a. u; lSr & sas omce oi VICE
Permit me, in conclusion, to express m,
satisfaction at being associated with candi
date ior the Presidency VINO rs 9rst anon ,, :,
! "a