The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-02-03
Dissolution of Parties.


The silver controversy appears to be
working wonders in Washington. 1t
presents an entirely new issue and one in
which sectional interests take shape en-
tirely different from that which has been
90 prominently visible for o number of
years. The map of conflicting interest 10
rearrangiDg itself ON line more of longi-
tude than of latitude. Instead Of North
against South, it is getting to be rather
East against West, though with nothing
like the completeness of the former antAg-
onism. This time 1t is rather o conflict Of
class interests, and becomes sectional mere
ly by virtue of the predominance Of
different classes in different sections.
Trading capital is located chiefly in
the North Eastern States and holds all
the rest Of the country in kind of vassal-
age-the vassalage of debt. 1t is to the
interest of these old and populous States
that their claims shall be paid in gold it
is equally to the interest of the debtor
States that q much cheaper currency than
gold ehall be made legal tender. They
desire to have a silver coin, worth only
ninety-two cents in gold, called q dollar
no doubt they would profit still more ez-
tensively If a. coin worth only twenty-fv
cents in gold should be recognized as the
legal dollar. The payment of debts would
then become quite an amusement for an
agricultural people whose products enhance
in nominal value in proportion to the de-
probation OF the currency.
We do not propose at this time to discuss
the policy or propriety of this Western
proposition. If we were Satisfied of its
alleged dishonesty, of course We should
be obliged to denounce it, but it seems that
there is q good deal to be said on both
aides of that question. Bondholders are
the principal opponents of the measure,
and yet it is urged that when the orig
| inal bonds were issued, silver coin of the
| value now contemplated was lawful ten
der. Then again, as to ordinary creditors,
| most of the existing debt of individuals
was contracted when greenbacks were
worth less than ninety-two cents in gold
| to the dollar.
We do not, therefore, and it necessary
just now to side with either Mr.. Lamar on
the one hand, or with Mr.. B. F. Butler on
the other. 1t may be remarked, however,
in this connection, as q moral curiosity,
that Mr. Lamar, who represents the debtor
population, stands upon the lofty platform
Of full payment in gold, while Mr.. Butler
from within a few miles of rich, bond
holding Boston, is champion of the silver
currency policy.
There is q point, however, that attracts
attention even among those who do moi
know which policy to adopt, and that il
tho political upheaval wrought by the in.
heIent force of the question. The pocke
nerve is wonderfully sensitive and sym
pathetic one. Let an issue arise, like this
in which large pecuniary interests are a
stake, and see how quickly the sentimenta
antipathies snd alliances of years are diesi
pated. Your rich bondholder may hav'
hated the Southern brigadier most intense
, ly, as he supposed, ever since the war, ye
: let him find the brigadier voting agains
t silver, and the prejudices of several luster
, are dissipated as swiftly as q mornings mist
He finds the brigadier to be q tip top fellow
? who in the ignorance of youth made som
slight mistake about tates'rights and othe
abstruse political dOgmas. On the othe
hand an ardent silver ex-Confederate /
j: found poking "old Butler" in the ribs @
slapping him on the shoulder with tn
y familiarity of ancient friendship.
o The fact is that the sectional party lin
0 was an unnatural one after the issue
= slavery had passed away. Human affair
are, in the long run, governed by interes
Q though, no doubt, important episodes al
), based on the aide influences Of hatred an
Q other passions. Those very passion
J. though, as 9 general thing will be found I
n have been aroused by conflict OF interest
{. real or supposed. They do their work I