Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-10-09
For the Herald.
Harris, Paul and Eeh0Is.


crat party, and to cast our votes accord
ingly At first blush it would seem that
each is striving to cover his beliefs with
a kind Ct cloud, probably attempting to
carry water on beth shoulders Still
this appearance may not be intention
al or their part. We have ne objection
to their explaining themselves, prorided
they leare gennahties aud come down to
particulars. They all three state as the
main issues, |. The State Debt Ques-
ton, and ,. The Currency Question.
Let US see for moment how each
stand en- these questions and compare
his position with the true Democratic
doctrine. Fin the comparison we find
that any one, Or all, is pandering TO the
whims ofcevtain people, hoping thereby
to secure a seat in Congress,i 1T Will then
be our duty to reject him, or them, with
scoln and cast Our votes for man who
is not afraid toavow his sentiT ents.thc
tue sentiments of the Democratic Par
~.
Judge Harris announces himself as a
/ ferctjie-readjuster on the first question.
Something singular about it, however.
last winter, when the re-adjusting party
was making its brave fight from their
point Of yiew) aud looking in every d.
rection for help among men in office and
prominent men, Judge Harris was as
speeches. on the subject as Pharaohic
mummy; and later, he delivered him
self halhngly, seemingly feeling the
public pulse meantime, and expressed
himself hot and strong for REIMBURSEMENT
only lately IN a letter in reply to Gen.
Echels' card. lie stands committed
then. TO the doctrine that the State has
RIGHT to cut down its indebtedness un-
I'll the present rate of taxation will pay
the interest and run the government.
lisa pity that he didn't cheese to
state figures and show us exactly how
much he would cancel, and how he
would accomplish it in the light Of the
present position of the court of Appeals.
On the currency question Judge
Harris expresses himself IN favor Of
abolition Of National Banks, and in
favor ofan issuance of greenbacks sufi-
Gent to meet the demands of trade.
lie seems to scorn particulars here as
well as Oh the debt question. He fails
to tell us to how great an extent he
would issue greenbacks, and also
whether he would base his greenbacks
or specie; two oyorwhelmly important
considerations. | should like to hear
him specifically on these points.
Another matter with reference to
Judge Harris: he congratulates himself
on the fact that Gen. Echols does not
attack his record in Congress. Itmight
occur to some persons TO ask what
Judge Harris has done in ali the years in
which he has been member Of Con-
gress. Notwithstanding his congratula-
tons it may be possible to criticize his
faults ofcommission, though l will con-
fess his faults are chiefly those Of omis-
sion.
Dir. P3ul announces himself an un-
compensatory forcible ro-adiuster, and
has the advantage Of Judge Harris with
those who accept this doctrine, in hay
Ing advocated it earnestly in its infancy
when il had few friends. As between
Harris and Paul, a re-adjuster. 10 be
consistent and vote his doctrine, must
vote for Paul. On the currency ne an
nouces himself as hostile to National
Banks and in favor Of flooding the cOun
try with greenbacks based on the credit Of
the government. This phrase, credit of
the government" is dsin5 service with
politicians now as a sort Of dodge ofthe
real issue ; it is a vague generality, not
expressive Of much. Whether Mr..
Paul uses it as such remains to be seen.
! He advocates that the bonds should be
paid in greenbacks. II credit Of the
government" means that the govern
mcnt shall stamp certain value on 4
piece Of paper and order thatit shall be
received as such, how will the govern
ment, after issuing a large amount,
prevent this paper from depreciating in
value? Suppose we had three times as
much money in circulation as we have
now and it was only worth one third as
much as now. dollar fer dollar, how
would We be benefited? The matter
of debasing the currency is nothing new
in history. 1t has been practced by
rulers from time immemorial. When
their Golfers became low they would
put less silver in the coin, Or less gold,
and strive to force the people TO accept
It and use it at the value Ofthe previous
coin. but always without success. The
history of the world teaches plainly
that the currency Of government must
possess intrinsic value, or be redeemable
in something possessing intrinsic value.
If credit OF the government" means
TO redeem it in gold Or silver, dollar for
dollar, Of course no objection can be
made, so long as the issue remains
within the accepted limits Of a possible
and probable redemption.
Now comes Gen. Echols late in the
day, taking his position in antagonism
to Judge Harris and Mr.. Paul, apparent
ly thinking that his side Of the question
will poll little more than one third as
$500 - 49,. 90. ~, % e;Io &c T,I,o ITor,.;,