Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-05-10
THE OLD WINGS OF THE SOUTH.
Secretary Thompsons Belief that They will
Desert the Democratic Party.

1 DCboES sno DemOCfbuc EhFtys
Secretary Thompson, in an inter-
view on the subject of the formation
of new party, said the co untry was
now in condition favorable to the
adoption of the principles which were
the platform of the old Wing party,
which party always favored tariff
for revenue, with discriminating du-
ties protective of American labor,
liberal system ofpublic improvements,
| and sound national currency. The
principle that the Federal Govern
ment shall control such public i'm
provements has been finally establish
ed. The people of the South are now
in an impoverished condition, the peo-
Pile of the North are rich, aud what is
needed is such a system of public i'm
proyemeats as will benefit that section
of the country such measures as will
impress upon the Southern people the
fact that we are their friends and
brothers; that we intend to live with
them as members of the same family,
and advance their interests and pros
perity by means of the power which
is in our hands. / think we can DEM
onstrate our professions of friendship
in no better way than this: The name
of the party is wholly immaterial 1t
new party were organized, or the
Republican party so recognized as to
recognize Wing measures as distinct
features of it, the old Wing members
South would fall into the ranks. Ow-
ing to the prejudices existing South
it might be found necessary to have a
change of name. The Wings South
are not Democrats. They never were
and never will be, and they will go
into a new organization if it carries
in the old Wing principles, Or even
into an old organization governed by
these principles. They regard the old
Wing party as embracing pure princi-
Piles and patriotic desires. have al
ways said that when the country be.
came diseased it could only be cured
by Wing remedies, and whenever we
have suffered from misgovernment or
Encouragement we have applied to
Wing remidies for relief. Regarding
the currency, | am in favor of a gold
and silver basis, and think it would
have been better for the interests OF
the country if silver never had been
disturbed. and | regard the act of its
demonstration as one of i'll judged
Legislation, to say the least. The
power of the government should be
pledged to furnish stable and unvary-
ing currency. There can be no con-
troversy about that. Our currency
ought to be NATIONAL legal tender
for customs dues and all other dues
am opposed to any further contrac-
ton, and want to see specie payments
brought about, but not at the expense
of the business interests of the coun-
try. In reply to the question what he
thought woald have been the result
had the President recognized Cham
berain and Packard, the Secretary
said: 81 can scarcely conceive the
result of such course, but think it
would have resulted in long confusion,
military government, and perhaps,
in the end, anarchy. In regard to
the Presidents Southern policy | do
not think he could have pursued any
other course consistent with his own
promises, and dignity of character |
think his policy is right in itself, and
that the removal of the troops was
absolutely essential to national peace.
With reference to Mr.. Blaine and the
so-called opponents of the Admins
tration the Secretary said: 81 do not
think there will be any real opposi
ton inside the Republican party to
the policy of the Administration. The
present excitement is created entirely
by the efforts of the newspapers, and
will end in nothing. AS for Mr..
Blaine's letter, there is nothing in it
to justify the inference that he wishes
to oppose the Administration. ! might
have written that letter myself, yet no
one would accuse me of opposing the
policy of the President. As for the
report of a gathering at Senator Cam
eron's to digest an opposition to Mr..
Hayes policy, that is all nonsense, for
| came on with ex-President Grant
from Pittsburg to Harrisburg, and am
convinced he had no political objects
in view, but rather pleasure and rec
reation in the mountains for few
days. When Congress meets it will
be found that the Republican Senat-
ors will in no manner oppose the Ad.