The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-01-24
THE LIVE ISStE.

Senator VOORHEES, struck the key note of
public sentiment in his speech before the
Senate, day before yesterday on the fnan-
ces, and laiadown the platform upon which
the next political contest in this country
will be fought and won. lie states the po-
stion occupied by at least four-ffths OF the
American people on this sub
ject when he says they demand
First: The restoration OF the silver dollar
exactly a. ii stood before it was touched by
the act Of February, 1873. They desire that
it shall have unlimited coinage, not fearing
that it will become too plenty for their
wants. and that it be made a fully LEGAL ten
der, believing it is as good now, with which
II pay all debts, public ami private, as il WAS
during eighiy-one years OF American history.
Second: The repeal Internationally OF
the act Of January lith, lSl5, compelling the
resumption OF specie payments in January
1879, holding that the question of a return to
a specie basis, for our country, should he
controlled entirely by the business interest of
the country they do not believe that the
country should be dragged through the
depths OF ruin, wretchedness, and degrada-
dation in order to reach gold standard, for
the benefit alone of the income classes.
Third: That the national banking system
be removed and a circulating medium pro-
vided by the government for the people with
ont taxing them for the privilege of obtain
ing it, and they ask that the amount thus
placed in circulation shall bear a reasonable
and judicious proportion to the business
transactions and population of the United
States
Fourth That the currency authorized and
circulated on the authority of the govern
ment shall be made a legal tender in pay
ment Of all debts, public and private, includ-
ing all dues TO the government, well know
ing IL will then be at par with gold, or more
likely at premium over it.
Fifth: That hereafter the financial policy
Of the country shall be framed permanently
In their interest, that they shall not be dis
eliminated against in future legislation as in
the past, and that their prosperity and not
the mere growth Of Income TO retired capital
lists, shall be the primary duty of the govern
ment.
That constitutes As sound a financial
platform as ever was framed, and Is as clear
and succincta statement OF the sentiments Of
the people upon the money question as has
ever been made II the Democratic party,
in 1880, places itself squarely upon that
platform, and dominates candidates in sym
patty with such views, and the Republican
party refuses to take similar position, no
human power can prevent a Democratic
success.
The name OF the Democratic party is OBJ
noxiUus TO large portion OF the American
people, and they are willing to sink their
differences upon minor topics, and con-
sent to the support OF men and measures
that are to some extent Objectionable rather
than TO vote to place the nation and
its destines again in the hands
of a party with such history as the Dem
ocratic party OF the United States has writ
ten for itself; but in a great issue such as
that now before the country-in which the
most vital interests Of the public are at
stake-which strikes directly at the hearths
and homes OF the people, no trifling objec-
tioIs will be permitted TO stand in the way
no party pride or prejudice OF name can
longer induce the people 10 vote for the
perpetuation OF policy which is steadily
and certainly sapping the commercial and
industrial life of the nation, and the newt
able tendency of which is to concentrate the
wealth of the country in the hands
OF comparative few, and re-
duce the masses to beggary. Financial is
sues lsave been overshadowed in the past,
by other questions which the people regard
ed as more Immediate and pressing; but
that time is past; the blacks have been lib |
Grated and their rights have been secured
by constitutional amendments; the South |
has been reconstructed; all the issues
growing out of the war have been settled,
and the only live question now before the
country is that OF the currency
The terrible consequences Of the
mistaken policy which has
thus far been pursued on this question, are
too apparent all over the county, for any
party to attempt to blind the people to the
truth; the issue cannot be evaded; it must
be met, with the people on one side and the
capitalists on the other, and that party
which fails to declare itself, squarly and
unequivoeally, in favor OF the people, must
20 TO the wall, whether it call itself Repub
Gcan or Democrat. The victorious party
must be the party of the people.