Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-09-19
Hon. Lorenzo Oanf0rd
Speech at bridgeport.
Able Discussion of the Finan-
.aa Cial Question.
From Wheeling Intelligencer, 1sth.

Bridgeport. Holloway Hall was fairly.
filled with sn audience composed al
most entirely OF citizens of the towns
of Bridgeport and Etnaville. Owing
to the unfavOrable weather 1t had been
given out that probably Mr.. Danford
would not come, and of course there
was no means OF counteracting this
impression. However, as we have
said, the hall was comfortably filled.
The meeting was organized by calling
Alexander Brannum, Esq, to the
chair. After few Introductory re-
marks by the Chairman, Mr.. Danford
took the stand and briefly referring to
the part borne by Ohio in the great
political battles OF the last forty years,
in which her intelligent and patriotic
people had never failed to sustain the
right, he came directly to the present
issue before the country and said: g
In this campaign, rs in the three last,
the question that is chief in the minds
OF the people is the question of the
currency. Our Republican State Con,
vention declard in their eplatform that
this question is virtually settled. The
Democratic State platform disputes
his declaration and demands "the
absolute repeal of the resumption act"
1t also demands ..'the gradual substitu-'
Iicn of United States legal tender paper
for National Bank notes. and its per-
manent establishment as the sole paper
money of the country, made receivable
for all dues to the Government, and of
equal tender with coin." Judge Thur
man adroitly attempts to make the
chief issue between the parties on this
question of currency, an issue between
the greenback aud the National Bank
notes. In doing this, however, he is
compelled to stand. as he expresses 1t,
squarely upon the platform OF his,
party, and with them to demand the
substitution of United States legal
tender notes for National Bank notes.
which necessarily involves an increase
of the volume OF greenbacks by the
amount of the National Bank currency.
Judge Thurman finds 1t necessary to
cover, to sotle extent, the many tracks
he has made in the past in the direc-
tion of hard money. The platform
makers of his party are under no such
necessity. Whilst their war is ostcnsi-
bly, upon the national banks and in
favor Of the greenbacks, their fight in
Ohio is fight in favor of cheap money,
irredeemable money, a fight against re-
sumption, q L attempt to have further
issue of greenbacks without regard to
the time Of their redemption, or with
out regard to any purpose OF redemp-
tion in the future.
FELLOW CITIZENs.-It Is to me
strange thing to find great body OF
the people OF this country arrayed
directly In favor OF an Issue OF irredeem
able paper currency by the government
of the United States.
Our fathers, in the legislation and
policy of this government for more
than fifty years, had established be-
yond question a policy against such
paper issues. .,,,st.,. .... .ssf.
In the formation of the constitution
OF the United States they had in view
the future money OF the people, and in
that Institution they make two de-
clarations in relation to money. The
first, in the eighth section OF article 1.
declares Congress shall have power to
coin money, regulate the value there
of, and OF foreign coin, and fix the
standard of weights and measures"
The other, In section ten of the first
article, provides that no State shall
have power 10 emit bills OF credit or
make anything but gold and silver
coin a tender Ia payment OF debts.
This policy was adopted by the franz
ers of the constitution. They had felt
the evil effects OF an irredeemable paper
currency that became worthless in their
hands. Alexander Hamilton, the first
Secretary of the Treasury, In his first
report makes use of the following
language: .# ..ts .-.f ..-.
sThe emitting of paper money by the
authority of the government, is wisely pro-
hibited to the individual States by the Ma
tional Constitution, and the spirit Of that pro
hI6SttOn ought not TO De dtsregGrded 0y the 9oo-
ernment Of the United States. Though paper
emission under the general authority might
have some advantages not applicable, and he
free from some disadvantages sciich are Gp-
pEicGbZe to like emissions by the States sepa-
rately; yet they are of a nature so liable to
abuse, and it may even be affirmed, SO certain
OF being abused that the wisdom OF the gov.
ernnent m VIII oe snown IN never 'TusIlng ltselI
n, win Lnv use Vi 81 So'u''s anu '''i'gefouS au
eAPeueh'.
John Marshall declares: l.H
''Such medium has always been liable to