New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-19

one great question Of principle that
divides the disciples of Bullion Benton
and Hard Money jackson in the Buckeye
State. But the triumph of the minority
Of the committee on platform, in securing
the adoption Of their soft money resolu-
ton by vote of 366 to $50, is substantial
and shows that the influence of William
A lien did not altogether pass away with
his defeat last year.
This dispute in the party is interesting
to the Republicans in various ways,
though we shall notice but one at present.
It shows the fact that the first attempt of
the Democracy to set up living principle
has developed such disagreement as to
threaten the disruption of any party not
too eagerly intent upon its pursuit of
spoils to be affected by anything SO slight
and unimportant as fixed policy of gov
eminent. So long as the leaders are
agreed upon the main chance Of spoils,
and the policy of stufing their Southern
allies with soft words about their attach
ment to the ancient traditions, they can
manage to tide over any little divergence
Of views that may crop out here and there
on financial questions, the regulation Of
the tariff, the duty Of the federal govern
ment to prosecute works of internal i'm
provements, and the other national ques-
tons which the founders Of the republic
deemed of some consequence. A heresy
on the currency question may be offset by
sound position on States rights; the repeal
Of the duty on sugar, rice and other South
ern products easily and readily forgiven
to men who are ever ready to denounce
Southern Republicans as in either one or
the other category carpet-bagger
or scallawag The failure Of our appro-
priations for the levees, mint, etc., can
be condoned by justification or at least
an apology for Coushatta, sweetened by
an investigation worth nine thousand
dollars to the stipendiaries Of the House
Of Representatives.
We notice symptoms of restlessness and
discomfort in one or two of our city Demo-
cratic papers because the Democracy of
Ohio has adhered to the losing card Of
1875; but we take 1t the reason for this is
more in want of confidence in the card
than in any deep seated feeling for or
against the principle in contest. Down
in this section We really care very little
what sort of currency we have SO long as
it passes current in New York, Chicago,
Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Niagara, Sara
toga, Newport and other places where we
purchase supplies and follies. 1t is, per-
haps, a little easier to borrow a paper
than gold dollar, which fact, if estab-
lished, would give a preference to the
paper currency. In any case the one
will be used as money and the other as
merchandise, and SO long as there are not
violent fluctuations there will be very lit
tie inconvenience to the general public
There is another thing suggested by
this trouble in the Democratic camp in
Ohio. This currency question is the first
matter of affirmative national policy that
has been tackled by the Democratic party
Of any State for about thirty years.
During all this time the party has existed
and occasionally succeeded at presidential
and State elections upon its tactics Of op-
posing everything like progress which has
ever been suggested by the Wings and
Republicans. This attempt to branch out
and set up ideas of its own having re-
suited in disagreement and failure, may
so discourage the leaders that they will
never again venture upon any new pro-
gramme. Thus, there is a likelihood that
the party will fall back upon its old tao
tics Of opposing everything that has been
done, and devote all its energies to the
capture of the public Offices by the ordi-
nary means of abuse and detraction on
the one hand, and fattery and promises
on the other,