The New York herald., 1878-11-18
ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.

THE GEORGIA STATESMAN on THE RECENT ELEc-
TIoNs--A REMINIscEScE BY WAY or ILLusTRA-
TIoS-pRosPEcTs OF THE DEMOCRACY FOR
1SSO-THE SOUTHERN POLICY.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
WASHINGTON, Nov. II, 1878.
In answer to the question to-day what in his belief
had been the effect Of the money issue in the recent
campaign upon the Northern democracy, Mr.. Alex
ander H. Stephens said:"I really do not believe that
the money issue direct had thing more to do with
the loss OF Connecticut. New Jersey and New York
than did the famous Kansas bill have the effect sup
posea at the time the elections of 1854 That year
we came ont of the fight with only sixty-seven Con-
Gressmen left and it feared all through the South
that the party had lost because of the passage
of the Kansas bn which left it optional
with the citizens Of Kansas, then Terri
tory. whether not they would admit
slavery into their constitution. Howell Cobb
turned to Congress, but he like all tn rest, was
rather feAf II of the election President thinking
this ii lei wave sughed a. them all. 1 well
member ms citing we had light here in town. II
the fir. time had acted with the democracy.
They laid their views down and disagreed Il seemed
to me tlat it was a smoke, and ventuccd to pre-
dict that if they would out boldly and maintain
the correctnes, of the principe embodied in the
Kansas bill. namely. that cech State and Territory
should be left to make its laws they would eect
their Pre- sident Ny advice WIS taken and Buchanan
Went in But the ary was panic sli ken over that
affair, just as 1t is about tie financial sue.
When l went into Pennsylvania to stump for Bu-
chanan Josiah Randall the present spe skers father.
importuncd not to give vent 10 any views in favor
of the Kansas bill. But told him that would speak
my mind or say nothing He consented finally. and
the audience in full sympathy. We carried the
State"
THE CURRENCY QUESTION.
What then, do you think the trouble?'
We'll it is really very difficult to tell 1t seems to
me very foolish to make any predictions to 1890,
either to candidate ssucc because there is every
probability that subjects will be presented. am
very that the money question in its present shape
will be dead Ny views positive enough.
believe in honest money and plenty of it. At present
evidently have not enough for the demands Of
tradcnot enough to start up the industries Of the
country l think it would have been wise for the
House to have passed the bill matured in the Com
mittee Of Coinage. Weights and Measures which pro-
vided for the issue Of silver certificates to be used in
the place of bullion. We cannot turn out the bullion
fast enough. Three more mnts required. France
to-day is the best fiscal nation earth because she
allows the currency to fall short of demand.
As to resumption very much fear that after January
/. 1879 shall be like the man operated on for
fever the fever went, but the man was dead
THE PROSPECTS FOR 1880.
What OF 1890. then, Mr.. Stephens ?''
..Wcl need two things--more leaders, rather
better ones, and perfectly national spirit. We
not able at present to call the roll Of great men
with much success. have been many years in pub
lie life and have the rise and fall of many emf
ncnt public men and as l look back / am forced to
confess that almost the only great leader the de-
mocracy has had Stephen A. Douglas. Silas
Wright very capable sort Of wheel horse. but
Douglas had the brains. II the platform for 1880 s
carefully drawn and excellent and national spirited
man nominated see no reason why the democracy
cannot win
PRESIDENTS POLICY.
s.What do you think of these reports of change in
the Presidents policy ~
In my opinion they are nonsense. There is no
such word as policy" 1t is the Presidents busi-
and bounden duty to administer the laws Of the
country, nothing more. do not see how his pres
ent position possibly be construed into any
change of policy whatever. If the democrats of the
South have been guilty Of fraud at the ballot box it
il the Presidents duty to prosecute each case he
find. There is no policy in that. 1t is law
What is the strength Of the independent move
mcnt in Georgian"
The ideas az to that are very generally wrong The
Independence liz all confined within the democratic
ranks simply ~ to q choice of men. The represen-
tatives send all Simon Pure democrats. We
shall have majority of four over all in the next
Congress. as calculate"
What do you think the effect of that letter Of
Senator Hill, wherein he attacked the administra-
tion?'
Senator Hill made great mistake. and it reacted
on the party II IL very clearly demonstrated that
dent, such Hill attempted to lead on. Now that
we have learned that lesson must keep down the
Hills and pursue mild. conservative policy. and.
above all things. be cautious In our Legislation"