The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-24
The Democrats-The Country.

Tho DemocratS--The Country
Senator BECK is sanguine OF Democratic
s,nremocv il only certain measures arc
Sunnorted by the Democrats tie names
,rno trade. md the silver dollar, and paper
,,onoy for customs duties. These, meas
,res,are to be taken with qualification,
and even then 1t is not clear that thes III
volye nj! the force that secures triumph.
AZ TO free trade the considerations that
now bear upon ii are much changed from
what they were before the var. ihe
nublic debt now requires 4 largely-increaSed
animal revenue, and rs long as duties on
;mpor,s arc the most convenient and popular
means OF raising the national revenue those
duties will be sufficient to meet the views
~ reasonable advocates for protection. IL
cannot be possible that the country Will de-
sire TO adopt real frce-trade system and
nav bv direct taxation the large revenue
that is now needed by the Government. we
have had painful experience OF this inter-
pal-reveaue collection, and the whole couh-
try should be glad to get rid OF 1t at once,
and nut the whole tax for the. support OF
the Federal Government upon importa-
tons.
The reconciliation OF silver, we trust,
will become q national and not party mea-
sure. That we should decline to make Use
OF metal which we have 80 much OF ana
which is steadily produced i'll such liberal
quantities would be IN act OF self-inlury
with no reasonable apology. TO increase
the basis Of paper money by the combination
OF silver with gold would afford degree OF
relief TO the country that would benefit
every interest and everybody; and that,
too, without exposing the public interest
and the financial order to the slightest peril.
We rather think that the question will not
partake OF 4 party character. We believe
the Administration is on the silver side, and
we do not think that any party will be al
lowed to monopolize it.
The payment OF duties in paper money
has been demanded By justice. The Gov
eminent has not acted honestly in declining
to take its own paper for money due it. BY
rejecting that paper it forced it to deprccia-
ton. To take it now for debts-for duties
on imports-would be doing an honest
thing, and would be paving the way to
equality of its paper with the gold standard
and banishing those distinctions which pro-
hibit specie-payments while they last.
Senator BECK is sound OH this subject.
How far this measure may be taken posses
sion of by the Democrats remains to be
seen. II they claim it they. can hardly
pass it.
But we think that the Democrats have.
very difficult way before them. Upon their
discretion and forecast all depends. The
administration of President HAYES has oc-
cupied the Democratic track, and it is
nice question to settle as to how far the
Democratic party can disentangle itself, and
act completely separate from the admins
trative policy. That it must upon some
points combine with the Administration,
and protect it from the pressure OF Repub-
lican discomfort, is altogether clear The
policy Of pacifcation, and OF securing
equality and justice to States and people,
the Democrats cannot regard with silence
and inaction. They will be bound to APP
prove yociierously that policy for which
they have fought for years, and also to give
it n hearty helping-hand. =
That President HAYES will have strong
support in the ranks OF his own party is
plain; but because he may have such sup
port the Democrats cannot in Justice TO
themselves or the nation stand apart from
him. They are bound to stand by their
principles, to claim theirproperty wherever
found, and to allow no wedge to split them
from their true position Of public devotion
and duty to the Constitution.
So there is much to be done and much to
be considered by the Democrats besides sill
yer and tariff and greenbacks. There never
was time in which wiser and more delibe-
rate craftsmanship and self-denial were ne
cessary. We think this is the great point
now: All true and wise men should stand
well together and keep the country on the
safe line OF right and justice and sound
policy. Forgetting for time party strate-
gy, they should concentrate motives and
efforts upon the public good. Party poll
tics will logically follow and properly shape
themselves long before the next presden-
tial election.
CuCu u pOflCt III UAiHc " luz SloSCAuaul
the public interests, and logically the better
class OF men will grayitate towards positions
OF authority and honor. Because where the
principal men are laboring for the common
good, it is a guarantee that they are men
anxious for their country, and that they de-
serve we'll OF it.
Party men should never be so Jealous for
party as to lose sight OF their country.
Country first and party afterwards. Get
the country straight and party matters will
take care Of themselves. Parties are like
the chameleon-tley derive their hues from
what they feed upon. The interests OF the
country and the tested policies Of admins
tration formthe bases Of party issues. There
are new ones to arise, and there must be all
intermediate period for the adjustment Of
public affairs before they can be we'll pre-
sented. Time, gentlemen, time. Give your
hearts to the country now and to party by
and by.