The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-10-22

.rt1rspaY ocToBER q, 1875.
some thoughts on the ConsTessl lsl'a
Eiectior.
# Roth local atid national Interests are irs
sroives II. the approaching election. Rich
,,,a,,a as 4 rort 8, entry ut the head Of tide
,.,s,.e nayieatioil aud the seat OF Federal
caur,s, needs appropriations from the Fed
an, Treasury. These are most likely 70 oe
sesnred by a represe sentative in alliance with
! strong party organization and possessing,
bv bis character intelligence, reputation
personal bearing and ability, the conadence
and admiration OF bis associates.
AZ the metropolitan district, we have a
national and just pride in having AZ the !,
Federal capital a representative "ho, IN all
,he elements that constitute gentleman
patriot, and influential legislator. VIII oe
the peer OF any OF bis associates. deheIa'
Joussros, while profoundly yersed IN the
art 81 war, is also, by his long residence IN
washington, thorough acquaintance With
tbe details o, administration, large reading,
Quick perception, and devotion to prancipie'
nnali,led for the highest usefulness IN the
legislative councils.
Z. Besides immediate local interests, there
are matters of national concern involved IN
th;s election. We have tariff, odlous'
vexatious, oppressive, unconst'tutiona',
and revenue reform is one OF the most Vltai
issues before the people. English customs
duties are collected from only seventeen
articles. The number OF dutiable articles
nnder our tariff Is 1,524. and the comp'ica-
ted machinery required for their official
examination affords pretext for the exer-
else OF Executive patronage in employing
numerous partisan retainers. Dul'es ~
some cases arc prohibitory, in others hlghiy
protectiye"; and these compulsory ooun'
Ties and exorbitant rates impose most
srieyous burden on the industry OF the
country and contribute largely to the pre-
sent hard times. The Democratic platform
a, ST Louis demanded that all custom-house
taxation should be only for revenue.
The same platform demanded reform IN
the civil service, and Governor IlLDEN' ID
his letter OF acceptance, emphasized inc de-
mand. To find and apply remedy 1or Inc
evils of the present system OF appointing
Federal officials, threatening the perma-
nence OF republican institutions, Is Work
demanding firm, honest, and intelligent
craftsmanship. The Democratic party Wonld
increase lis claims upon public gratltnce II
with steady purpose it would BEND us eh-
eraies to the correction OF an abuse, tue
correction OF which is indispensable 10
purity OF elections, economy in eXpendl-
tpres. reduction OF taxation, efficiency in
public service, disarmament OF poi't'cai
mercenaries, and arrest OF fearful tenaen-
cies 20 centralism.
The country needs honesty in payment OF
dcbts-Federal and State-a sound and hon
cst and constitutional currency. and cor
rcc.ion or reputation Of the tendencies 10
look TO Government to make money, reSu-
late business. furnish labor to the unem'
Moved. and become the almoner or Doun-
Ties. eratuities, and subsidies. Making
money is beyond the physical OF consfltu-
tiona! competency Of Government. Putt'ng
a Government stamp on piece OF paper
does not transmute il into money. III II
were money il could be had honestly only
nv giving property or service in exchange
for it. History may be safely challengedior
the citation OF single example where a
State has usurped the power OF creating
{. money" ont OF cheap material without
consequent loss. ....
The late elections in the West may have
two good effects, in showing ~ that the
Greenback party as national organization
is a deusion, and ~ that the Democrats IL
they hope for success, instead OF taxing
counsel OF fear or yielding TO demagog'cal
appeals, must place themselves immovably
upon platform OF honesty as to the pay
ment OF the national debt and as to cur
reucy, valuable and convertible. The Dem
ocratic party, once uniustly charged with
fayoring an exclusively metallic currency,
always recognized paper, secured anu MADE
convertible into value, as form OF credlt,
convenient, practicable, and useful In the
fierce contests OF the past. opposing a ma
tional bank and favoring the independent
Treasury system, that party had no prlncl-
pie more distinguishing than sound cur
rency and honest money. 1t is painful TO
see persons claiming to speak as Demo
Gratis arraying themselves in the cast-off
clothes OF an organization over which the
Democracy wen some OF their most bril-
liant victories.
The country is now divided into two
great parties of historic renown, each OF
which, according to the standpoint from
which viewed, has claims upon the graft
tude OF the American people. A time may
come for rearranging party lines and re0r-
ganizing upon issues that are not OF the
dead past but Of the living present. II new
political alliances become feasible or desira-
BILE, let them be formed not on sectional or
class lines, nor on crude theories condemn
ed by all history and all safe writer's on ro-
litical economy. For the present, and pro.
badly for years to come. the Democratic
party is to be our chief reliance, Some OF
the evils OF the reconstruction policy have
been remedied by the patriotic action OF
President HAYES, and there is neither
wisdom nor justice in Withholding from
him the praise he deserves, Senator
HILL to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. The corruptions and extravaganza
OF the Republican party, their onerous tux