Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-09-06
Something to be Considered.

Something to be Considered.
From the Cincinnati Gazette
Republicans sre often heard to say
that in the campaign this year there is
not wide difference between Repub
licans and Democrats.
Taking the two platforms, at their
face, it is true there is no well defined
vital issues. The Democrats indorse
the Southern policy of President
Hayes; they favor resumption in the
abstract but oppose it in the concrete;
they oppose national banks and favor
greenbacks; they plead the baby act in
regard to the late Presidential election;
but only say they won't stand that sort
of thing again. Then they favor a
tariff for revenue only, but that is only
intended for a platform. 1t is evident,
in fact, that the Democrats had hard
work to frame platform that would
present an issue, and they did not sue
ceed in making an issue that makes an
impression on the public mind.
The course of the Republican admin
istration has been such as to deprive
the Democratic party of its stock in
trade.
The Republicans, in their platform,
indorse the administration; favor the
civil service reform policy; rejoice in
the establishment of peace throughout
the country; favor the silver dollar to
the extent that it shall not demonetize
gold; say nothing about the present re-
sumption act, except TO indorse the st.
Louis plank of 1876, and do net touch
the tariff question.
Now, in these two platforms there is
nothing that is stunning, and if there
was nothing involved but the plat
forms, it would not make much differ.
ence which way the election went, and
a great many Republicans and Demo
Gratis would not take the trouble to
vote. But platforms are usually made
to be forgotten; they are more remark
able for what they do not say than fol
what they do say, and to be fairly un-
lderstood they should be :ead between
| the lines. If in this COM est the trash
called platforms were bf ,shGd aside
and party names and party history
| were forgotten, there would be dis
IintegratOn of parties. On the financial
question, which is the leading question
| of the day, there are some differences
lin the Republican party, and very wide
differences in the Democratic party.
But the Republican policy is to reach
specie payments legislation and Re
tpubiican economy that has brought the
gold and paper dollar almost together.
| This is not responsible for hard times
Ieither. The war aud imitation created
q state of things that could not last.
| The necessary reaction caused the hard
times, and this would have occurred
mad all the paper money, or what was
called paper money, been kept afioat.
If paper money could make times
good, there would be no hard times.
Throughout the commercial world
| times have been hard. Russia and
Austria would be the most prosperous
]countries.in the world if a great velame
of irredeemable paper money would in
sure prosperity where the financial
structure is unsound or uncertain.
Therefore, in working toward specie
basis, we are working toward revival
of business. For years there has been
more paper money than could be used.
There is more paper money now than
even an active trade would require.
With paper money convertible into
gold. the laws of trade would regulate
the volume of currency. Upon this
| point there can be no disagreement
among intelligent men. The only
question, then, is how to reach and
maintain specie payments without un-
necessary shock to the industries of the
country. Upon this there is differ
ence OF opinion, but upon the general
principle we have indicated there are
twenty Democrats who agree to it to
the one Republican who objects.
Thurman and Payne and Ward are
hard money nen. They do not be-
lieve in the imitation nonsense, and if
the naked questions OF infistivn5 or a
judicious policy locking to resumption,
were placed before the people Of Ohio,
the latter would carry by an over.
Wnelmlng fnaJOrlty,
But, aside from all this, we have the
two great political parties! before the
people; and the leaders are not looking
near so much to the question talked
about in the platifrm as they are to
the future of their respective parties.
Hard money Deuocrats will follow
inflationists like Ewing and vote for an
infiationist like Bishop, to save their
party. They argue that nothing will
come of this Initiation business any how,
SO let it go. "When the initiation lead
ers shall have run thtir course and gone
overheard we will Ibton hand to take
command" Resutecans will notbe
wise If they do not tpofit by this ex-
ample. The Republican policy is the
one that will bear the test of time, and
whatever some Of cur friends may