The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-03
The Guilty Areas,
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS.
fContinued from second page. J

CONTINUED from second page.l
purpose now avowed is not an increase of
the currency so much as the maintenance
of the present standard and the substitu-
ton of greenbacks for national bank notes.
The movement has ceased to be wholly |
aggressive. Under the circumstances, the
course of Governor Hendricks, when 1t
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 of finance with the vigor of Kerr
or proclaim his convictions with the good
tempered frmness of Mcdonald, but he
maintained his opinions none the less |
effectively, because he adopted a concil- |
iatory tone. He presided over the Demo- |
apolis, 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 growing-up process-the development
OF the resources of the south, the increase
of production and the retrenchment of
public and private expenditures. The
platform adopted by the convention was an
essentially unsound one so far as the
financial planks are concerned, and in the
subsequent canvass Mr. Hendricks took
occasion to define distinctly the points of
difference between its doctrines and his
own opinlnions. How many of the poll
tlcians who have been so glib in censuring
him would have done as much? 1t is
common among Republicans in the east to
pretend that in this canvass the currency
issue was drawn between the two parties.
The fact is both were strongly for initiation
and the victory of the Democrats was won
on the general record of the administra-
ton, of which the panic of 1873 had broken
the prestige. la illustration of Mr..
Hendricks teachings at this time, we give
an extract from his address to the Demo
cratic convention. After arguing against
the hasty contraction Of our paper circula-
ton, checking labor and paralyzing enter
prise on one hand, and against undue in
flation, which would lead to. depreciation
and a reckless spirit of speculation and
adventure on the other, he said:
We desire return to specie payments. 1t is
serious evil when there are commercial mediums of
different values when one description of money is
for one class and purpose and another for different
the importance of the policy that shall restore
formiy of value TO all the money OF the countryso
that it shall be always ard readily convertible.
That gold and silver the real standard of value
is a cherished Democratic sentiment not nor
hereafter to be abandoned. But do not look 10
any arbitrary enactment of congress for restor-
alton of specie payments. Such an effort now
would probably pronounce widespread commercial
disaster. A congressional declaration cannot make
the paper currency equal TO gold in value 1t can
| not make bank note equal TO your dollar. The
business of the country alone can do that. When
we find the coin of the country increasing then
may know thatwe are moving in the direction OF
specie payments. The important financial question
ls, now can we increase aud make permanent our
supply of godf The reliable solution is by increas
ing our productions and thereby reducing our pur
chases and increasing our sales. He can readily
| obtain money who produce more than he consumes
of articles that wanted in the market, and l
suppose that is also true of communities and
the people for its evil policies which have driven
gold from the country and rendered return to
p specie payment more difficult, and made its post
ponment lneVltab!eE
: In reality Governor Hendricks is prob.
, ably more genuine hard money man than
Governor Hayes, and would perhaps differ
from him on financial policy only in his
deposition to national banks and his will
llngness to substitute government notes for
bank circulation. His action in gong into
the Ohio canvass in 1875 in support of
MIR. Allen was based upon a desire for
the success of the Democracy, He deem
ed the triumph of the party in that state
fcSSCuiidi, diIu LIliC" HltllSSl1 luiO tUc Cdii
vass heartily, holding that the financial
issue was not the overshadowing one.
The great thing to gain was victory, nc
; matter whether some of the men in the
same ranks agreed with him on all fine
- points in politics or net.
On questions of state policy Mr.. Hen
bricks has shown mastery knowledge; but
there is one matter upon which he has
eyer been especially solicitious, namely
thesschooI system of Indiana. As mem
Der of the constitutional convention he
was active in securing ample provision tol
popular education and placing its support
beyond the vicissltudes Of politics. I'm
pressed with the value Of the work ther
accomplished, he has since repeatedly in
. sisted upon the most anxious watchfulness
Is over the growth and perfection OF the sys
e tenn and relaxed in its favor his democrat
4 ic proiudices towards strict construction
E. and economy.
r Governor Hendricks is a man of medium
o height and symetrical form. He is erect
L active and vigorous. His face is mani,
- and handsome The features are larg,
7 and expressive, and while there is a soft
; good-humored expression in the large blue
eye and in the mouth ana dlmpled chin
, the brow, forehead and full heavy jaw
. show wisdom and resolution. His com
plexion is ford and his hair and sid,
whiskers are yet untouched with gray
He looks like one who has lived happy
life, encountered no great sorrows anC
Welded to no great vices Though he ha
for years been taught to regard the presi
dency as within his grasp his ambition ha
been rather a sort of rational longing fo
the honor than an Unsuitable thirst fol
Y power. His disposition is as sunny as hi
complexion, and in social life he is grea
G favorite. To acquaintauces he is atfabl
and easy, to close friends warm and low
? able, to political partisans courteous, blu
:. cautious, He would rather conciliate a
Of enemy than oblige an ally. His habit
are such that he found $1,000 year am
pie for his expenditures during his sena
4 torial term at Washington. He has al
ways trusted to doing the work which h
had in hand as well as the highest recon
u mendatiOn in the long run before the pee
I pie, and the many honors which hav
q come to him seem to have been conquere
10 without great effort. His voice is rathe
thin tenor, and has nothing impos
ing in its tones, but is audible to a grea
to distance when he speaks with great carr
e. estness, He appears to the best advan
Sc, tage before crowd, for then be kindle
-es with the excitemen. of the occasion, an
Ike an interruption or jest from some di:
nd seuting auditor is all that is necessary t
IL make him forget his habituaI deliberately
IL cast of thought, and fling himself int
dashing and aggressive argument. On
of the features of his career has been tn
long rivalry between himself and Morto
"a rivalry in which the bitterness wa