Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-02-06


large contract In Wisconsin, last
year, q platform was adopted by the
Democratic party, in favor of the
softest Of soft money, and an infia-
zionist - sometime organizer Of
greenback clubs-was nominated for
the highest Office. This year the
Democratic party permitted itself to
Re swallowed by the initiation party.
The programme for future operations
was made out long ago and it in
wolves the adoption of the widest
financial ideas of tho Greenback
party-in short, the Democrats have
surrendered entirely to the Green
hackers for the purpose of fighting
the Republican party. The Wiscon-
sin Democrats are not alone in this.
Gov. Hendricks has announced his
readiness TO advocate any financial
views that will assist in a Democrat
ic victory.
In strange contrast is the speech
of prominent Democratic leader,
August Belmont, in introducing
Prof. Sumner at the Manhattan
Clue. Prof. Sumner is hard mon
ely man and prince Of logicians
among them. Mr.. Belmont was a
member Of a committee to further
the principles of the Democratic
party, and as a step in that direc-
ton he invited Prof. Sumner to lee
ture. Mr.. Belmont says one of his
duties was the diffusion of iDstrnc-
tion in the cardinal principle that
underies the foundation Of the great
Democratic party-the question Of a
sound currency 1t sounds strange
to Wisconsin ears, this declaration
that the Democratic party is to be
strengthened by advocating a sound
currency-when the party liz this
State has undertaken to strengthen
itself by advocating tho theories Of
Greenback lunatics.
1t is for the information of the
Democracy of the state that atten-
ton is called to MIR. Belmont's re-
marks, and especially to the declar-
alton that "for thirteen years the
Democratic party has been driven
out of control of the Government by
an abandonment of the cardinal
principles of the party either in the
selection of our candidates or our
platform, and so disseminated have
discussions and jealousy become
among us that our very existence as
II national party is now threatened.
We are now disunited by sections,
and our Western friends are arrayed
against US instead of against the
Republican party. Again, he says.
of the financial question, 'the un-
scrupulous teachings Of ignorant
and constituencies demagogues have
misled our brethren of the West"
We have only to look at the defeat
of the Democratic party at home,
last year, to appreciate tho force OF
Mr. Belmont's complaint.
The Republican State Convention
was captured by spells men and sell
fish politicians, and the resolutions
adopted were such as tn make a DEM
ocratic victory almost certain. Tho
Democrats were urged to take advan-
tage of the situation, to come out
strong for honest money, for civil
service reform and hearty indorse-
ment of the President. Instead, they
drove the Republicans into repu-
diation of weak platform because
the Democrats had outdone them in
that respect. Alarmed by the fear
ful character of the Democratic
declarations, the people pushed the
politicians aside and made genuine
~ Republican platform, which car
RED the State by an old time majori-
itv. The lesson was lost on the
Democrats who have repeated their
hlunder in tho legislature, and have
made it lasting. From a partisan
point Of view, the Republican has
reason to rejoice in this; but as a
citizen, jealous OF the good name OF
his country, he must be humiliated
and alarmed at the utter abandon
ment of all principles by one Of the
great parties of the country.
The Democratic party, as an hon
est-money party, is to be preisrred
to Greenback party, whose object
is disgraceful, and disastrous if
achieved. There is nucleus in Wis
cousin for q Democratic party based