Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-09-28

be the invitable result of the election
of Hayes and Wheeler, and that to
escape such dire calamity 1t is nee
essary to elect the Democratic candi-
date to the administration of the
national government.
Hard times and financial depres-
sions have always been resorted to
as an argument In favor Of "a change
Of measures and Of men," and with
no little potency, for the reasons
above stated.
But what reasons are assigned, or
causes alleged for the present stagna-
tion In all our material industries?
1t 10 all charged to . Republican
Administrnkion. In the language OF
w. F. Coolbsugh, of Chicago, "the
campaign everywhere progresses
favorably and indicates unmistaka-
blythe determination of the people,
who are depressed by excessive tax
alton and hard timesAto 20 have q
change. A change may produce q
better state Of things In the business
world"
Such Is Democratics reasoning.
They would have us fly from "the
ills we have to others wes know not
or" Does the Democratic party
propose 10 tighten the burden of the
people, to lessen taxation and appre-
ciate the credit Of the government,
by transferring the administration
from the hands ofits friends to the
control OF its enemies? am remind
ed of the spider and fly, and OF the
tabled wolf and kid. "Dear friend, !"
said the willy beast. "my solicitude-
for your comfort Is only equalled
by your modest worth. Please ac-
cept the hospltalities Of . friendly
retreat to more private quarters,
where I can more fully attest the
friendship inspired by noble merit"
Foolish kid, fattered by pretended
friendship and false promises, was
easily taken In the trsacherous snare,
victim Of misplaced contidence.
Let us look for moment at the
fine-spun sentiments of honesty and
reform of our Democratic friends.
They will economixe and reduce
taxes! How? Is Ii by adding to
our already heavy debt hundreds OF
millions OF dollars brought against
the government for the loss OF cotton
and corn, and the general destruction
Of property Of rebels In tho South'
IL that the way they propose to en-
hance the credit OF the nation, lessen
taxes, and reach specie basisr But,
says the Democratic press and stump
orators, that IL question beyond the
control OF tho government. That
has been settled by the 18th amend
ment TO the constitution or the
United States. But not so; Sec, OF
said amendment provides that mo
obligation incurred In aid Of the re-
beilion nor any claim for the loss OF
slaves shall be paid by the United
States or any state. but the same
shall be held IA illegal and void"
Eut nowhere 10 there any prohibit
ion to tho payment Of their claims
for loss Of property exceSt slaves.
What but Republican Senate and
loyal President prevented such
a consumation during tho last session,
where many millions OF dollars In
claims were fled and honorcd by a
Democratic House.
Now In candor let us enquire
what arc tho causes Of the present
depression and hard times? In the
first place we may reasonably assert
that IL Is but the natural result OF q
reckless extravaganza during a Pc
rIod ofunusual prosperity, immedi-
ately on the heels OF terrible war.
In tho next place there have been
two successive failures in the agricul'
tural products Of the country. The
farmer has had scarcely any.
thing 10 sell; consequently the great
volume of greenbacks that now lies
idle could not circulate. Hence the
scarcity Unemployment for labor and
the suspension OF mills and machine
cry. Nor are the hard times confin-
ed TO the United States, buta general
depression pervades other parts OF
the Globe, and especially In the COM
mercial and money centers OF Europe;
and that too as a natural reaction
from wild speculation. And yet be-
cause the dishonesty practiced under
Republican rule equals less than
twenty per cent. OF the plunder and
speculation perpetrated during the
most halcyon period OF Democratic
sway for o given time. Therefore
the party In power stands convicted
before this Democratic tribunal OF the
charge Of disgracing the nation at
home and abroad; and the lesser ras-
calls should be ousted from power
and the greater thieves be reinstated.
Then, as the Hon. ID. w. voorhees,
said In his Columbus, Ohio speech,
"you will see old-fashioned times,
old fashioned economy" Old-times
indeed. We have no doubt Of it In
the least. Let Gov. Tilden be cleo
ted President, with a cabinet COM
posed OF such "old-time" patriots as
Toombs, Lamar, Hill, Jones and 9TH
ers, who declare that radicalism
must be crushed and desplsed, not
only despIsed but made infamous,