The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-07-01

i1u6 puIpOeo uOW bNo"0o 10 49,
crease Of the currency 90 much as TN
maintenance of the present standard ane
the substitution of greenbacks for ma
tional bank notes. The movement -hai
ceased TO be wholly aggressive, Under
the circumstances, the course OF GoVer'
nor Hendricks when. it became his duty
to take an active part in the discussion
of the issues of the day in the canvass Of
1874, was wise and manly. To be sure,
he did not advocate the sound theories
ofIlnance with the vigor of Kerr or pro-
claim his convictions with the good-tem.
pered frmness of Mcdonald but he
maintained his opinions none the
less effectively, because he adopted
conciliatory tone. He presided
over the Democratic Convention
held In July at Indianapolis, as we have
already said, and in his address on taking
the chair, argued that gold and silver
were the true basis of our currency, and
that the proper method of returning to
specie payments was through the grow
ing.up process-the development Of the
resources of the South, the increase OF
production and the retrenchment of pub
lie and private expenditures. The plat
form adopted by the convention was al
essentially unsound one 30 far as
the financial planks are concerned,
and in the subsequent canvass Mr..
Hendricks took occasion to define dis.
tinctly the points OF difference between
its doctrines and his own opinions.
How many of the politicians who have
been so glib in censuring him would
have done as much2 1t is common
among Republicans in the East to pre-
tend that in this canvass the currency is
sue was drawn between the two parties.
The fact is both were strongly for infa-
ton, and the victory of the Democrats
was won on the general record of the
Administration, Of which the panic of
1873 had broken the prestige. In illus
tration of Mr.. Hendricks teachings at
this time, we give an extract from his
address to the Democratic Convention.
After arguing against the hasty con-
traction Of our paper circulation, check
ing labor and parslyzing enterprise on
the one hand, and against undue inia-
ton, which would lead to depreciation
and reckless spirit of speculation ant.
adventure on the other, he said:
ave desire return to Specie Fay
ments. 1t is a serious evil when there
are commercial mediums of different val
hes; when one description of money is
for one class and purpose and another FOR
different class and purpose. We cannot
too strongly express the Importance OF
the policy that shall restore uniformity OF
value to all the money Of the country, so
that it shall be always and readily con
vertibe. That gold and silver are the
real standard Of value is cherished
Democratic sentiment, not now nor here
after to be abandoned. But l do not
look to any arbitrary enactment of Con-
cress Tor n restoration of Specie Pay.
ments. Such an effort now would pro,
badly produce widespread commercial
disaster, A Congressional declaration
cannot make a bank note equal TO your
dollar. The business of the country alone
can do that When we find the coin OF
the country alone increasing, then we
may know that we are moving in the
direction of Specie Payments. The i'm
portant financial question is, How can
we increase and make permanent our
supply of gold2 The reliable solution is
by increasing our productions and there
by reducing our purchases and increas
ing our sales abroad. He can readily OBJ
tain money who produces more than he
consumes of articles that are wanted in
the market, and / suppose that is also
true of communities and nations. How
can the Republican party atone to the
people for its evil policies which have
driven gold from the country and ren-
dered return to Specie Payment more
difficult and made its postponement in
evitabl.2"
In reality Governor Hendricks is pro-
badly more genuine Hard Money man
than Governor Hayes, and would perhaps
differ from him on financial policy only
in his opposition TO national banks and
his Willingness To substitute Government
notes for bank circulation. His action in
going into the Ohio canvass in 1875, in
support of Mr.. Allen was based upon the
desire for the success of the Democracy.
He deemed the triumph of the party in
that State essential, and threw himself
into the canvass heartily, holding that
the financial issue was not the over.
shadowing one. The great thing to gain
Was victory, no matter whether some OF
the men in the same ranks agreed with
him on all fine points In politics or not.
o. questions of state policy Mr.. Hen
bricks has shown mastery knowledge;
but there is one matter upon which he
has ever been especially solicitous, name
ly, the school system Of Indiana As Il
member of the Constitutional Convention
be was active in securing ample provision
for popular education and placing ITS SUP
port beyond the vicissitudes OF politics
Impressed with the value of the work &C
complished, he has since repeatedly in
sisted upon the most anxious wstchful-
ness over the growth and perfection OF
the system and relaxed in Its favor Lis
democratic prejudices towards strict con-
stfuction and economy.
Governor Hendricks is man of me
dunn height and symmetrical form. he
is erect, active and vigorous. His
face is manly and handsome. The
features are large and expressive, and
while there is q soft good-hnmored OK.
preston in tho large blue eye and IN the
mouth and dimpled chin, the brow, fore.
head and iull heavy jaw show wisdom
and resolution. His complexion is forid
and his hair and side whiskers are YET
untouched with gray. he looks like one
who has lived happy life encounter o.
no great sorrows and yielded to no great
vices. Though he has for years beer
taught to regard the Presidency as with
in his grasp his ambition has been rather
sort OF rational longing for the honor
than an Unsuitable thirst for power. Hi
disposition is as sunny as his complexion
and in social life he is great favorite
To acquaintances he is afiable and easy
to close friends warm and lovable, to POI
litieal pxrtisans courteous, but cautious
He would rather conciliste an enemy
than oblige an ally. His habits are such
that he found 5000 year ample for hi
expenditures during his Senatorial tern
at Washington. He has always trustee
TO doing the work which he had in hanc
well as the highest Recommendation IN
4 r l..