The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-10-19
where sudge Lindsay stands.

Frankfort, Ky, Oct. 3, 1877 -
Messrs. Beckner and Stuart, Editors
Clark County Democrat: Your note
of the ist instant has been received
To view of the circumstances TO which
Won allude recognize your right
to inquire as to my views touching
the tariff, currency. resumption and
home rule" aud | do not object TO
yoar making them public through the
columns of your paper.
The sole object OF levying duties
ON imported goods should be to raj e
revenue. The present tariff Laws
-hould be thoroughly revised; the
ties of duties should be materially
reduced. and so long IA the necessities
of the Government compel Us TO resort
10 This mode of taxation, We should
direct our legislation towards a strictly
revenue tariff; shonId abandon altogeth-
er the unjust and corrupting policy
of protecting preferred classes aud ta-
vored industries, and should keep
steadily in view the fact that we are
ultimately to have untaxed commerce
and free trade.
favor the immediate aud uncondi-
lioanl repeal Of the resumption act"
The work of couverting the legal tender
notes of the Government into interest
bearing bonds should cease at once
These notes, instead of being with
drawn from circulation, should be
made receivable IN payment Of all
dues to the Government, Including
duties on imports.
Silver should be remonetized
without restriction as to the amount
..hieft~
-uuurd be made a legal tendsr for ali
sums, and in payment OF all debts,
public and private.
As the circumstance Of the Govern
ment renderIt both proper aud necessa-
~ that the circulating medium, except
gold and silver. shall be based on tue
public credit, all paper currency should
be issued directly by it, and It's notes
should as speedily as practicable, and
With proper regard 10 the rights OF
all percous Interested, be substituted
for the national bank currency. These
substituted notes will possess all the
monetary qualities OF the uauouai bauk
currency. and also The additional value
OF being receivable in payment Of all
moneys due to the Government.
The act Of March, 1869 in which
it Is declared that the faith of the
United States is pledged TO pay in
coin all Government obligations not
expressly made payable in lawiuI mon
ey was a fraud on The tax payers and
an attempted u>urpation of judicial
power by the legislative department.
1t does not as a matter Of strict law,
bind either the people or the Govern
ment.
The term "home rule" is Of modern
invention as applied 20 American poll
ties, and does not accurately express
any principle of our system Of gov
eminent. The absolute right OF each
State to regulate and control its own
affairs, subject only to the limitations
and restrictions OF the Federal Con
stitution, is not, in my mind open TO
question. Cheerful obedience TO the
provisions of that Constitution and TO
the laws and treaties made pursuant
thereto, Is the plain and unmistakable
duty OF the States and the people. But
il should be always borne in mind that
the Government of the United States
Is one of deegated powers alone. That
its authority i defined aud limited by
the Constitution, ami that all powers
not granted to it by that instrument
are reserved TO the States and the
people. The strict construction Of
these delegated powers, and the careful
avoidance of any acts in excess OF
Lost 365SItt ,, az Two 81 me manifest "n1
several departments Of that Govern
meut.
The conscientious observance of
these duties by the State and Federe
authorities. and the modification Of
the Federal laws relating to taxation
and finance. as herein indicated, will,
10 my opinion, speedily complete the
restoration - an harmonious union OF
the States, restore business prosperity
to the country and put the laborius
mau to work at remuneratiSe wages
asd these great ends accomplished, the
resumption of specie payment will .
come IN lis own good time
This Is mere summary of nv views .
on the subjects mentioned in your let .
ter. Its tenor does not seem to require, +
and the prophecies of the occasion
forbid, that [ should state at length The .
reasons upon which my conclusions
are founded. | remain very truly
yours, w. LINDSAY.