Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-11-01
Democratic Consistency.
BRookrylLLn. October %, 1878.

BRooKEvlLLE, October 20, 1878.
Mr. Editor THAT men are prone TO en-
brace side issues and magnify them into vital
ones finds fresh proof just now in the financial
heresies and hailucinatiOns that agitate the
body polite and veil the fundamental princi-
pies o. the campaign Indeed, local and per-
sonal considerations are very much like the
moon which sometimes eclEses the great cen
trial sun that clothes III beauty and warns in
to life The rich, glad earth, and TOO often for
the public good these little selfish tunae for the
simple reason that they are nearer 10 us, COM
pletely hide those tar reaching and enduring
measures on which the Nations veal depends
At this moment the cry of 'cheap money"
whatever that means, is divcrting mems minds
from questions that press for settlement, ques-
tons that, left unsettled will be source of
constant irritation, eugeudering hate and dis
trust and oil the other evils that nnhinge So
cety and arrest progress and prosperity. We
have no sympathy with the money power so
called. 1t has been the prolific parent of all
manner of corruption ia our day as il was in
the days Of the United States Bank, and as it
always viii he whenever il obtains controll-
ing voice in Congress And right here glance
at recent history will show 10 those who are
dissatisfied that the Democratic party has been
the persistent and resolnte enemy OF the mon
ey power If it has failed to accomplish the
peoples deliverance, it has been on account of
the peoples slow awakening 10 their financial
embarraasmens--the tardy realization of i'm
pending disaster.
On June %, 'G2, while the bill authorizing
the issuing of bonds was pending an amend
ment was offered proposing their taxation by
the States Every Democrat in the House voted
for that amendment and every Republican but
eight voted against it. On the bill TO estab-
fish National Banks (Feb. 25 e3) every Dem
ocrat but five voted no and in 1854 on the
supplemental bill 10 perprtuate National Banks
only nine Democrats voted for it. In 800
on the act to pay the bonds in coin every Dem
ocrat, both in the Senate and House, except
one, voted against the measure. In 10 on q bill
to refund $500, 600, 900 Of $40 bonds, payable
in Greenhscks, into bonds payable in gold the
Democratic vote was solidly against it, and
The Republicans, except two, voted for it, In
July, 10, every Democrat, except six, voted
TO substitute $500, 600, 600 Of Greeubacks for
the National Bank notes, and on the Resump-
ton act every Democrat in both houses voted
no. This record ought to satisfy any reason-
able man that the Democratic party only lack
the power TO relieve the pinch of the times
and the secret of the Democratic vote upon all
these questions is simply the deep-seated con-
viciion that legislation only embarrasses and
bewilders the money market, that paper money
only unsettes trade by causing sudden Auctu-
atoms in commodities of prime necessity"
makes the spectators opportunity, and causes
widespread distress among the masses Of the
people. Trade left 10 itself, with hard money
basis TO operate upon, soon returns 10 its nor
NAL condition, and Congress will have done
the most and the best for the Nation prosper
hpn ptr Ill, h., 4.
shackles of protection. and purges the statute
book OF all class legislation.
1t will take far more than a food of Green
backs TO relieve the necessity of the people
That were indeed food of seething corrup-
ton, in the midst of which the people strug-
Cling and battling for life would lose sight of
their liberties which the man on horseback
might seize and throttle. and TO regain which
would cost far more blood and treasure than
ever yet were spent in the cause of human
Practical reform and retrench-
ment will do more in twelvemonth towards
prosperity and unshackling industry
than the printing bureau could do in a thous-
and years by printing promissory notes. 1t is
not the lack of money, but the constant drain
upon the supply that causes the distress. Re-
lief from burdensome taxes is the panacea for
our business ills. Hallam tells us how patient
y
be called for by necessity and faithfully APP
piled. ''But the sting OF taxation," he saws,
lis wastefulness; and those statesmen who
deem the security of the government to de-
pend not on laws and armies, but on the NOR
al sympathies and prejudces of the people, will
vigilhntly guard against even suspicion of
This is the great practical ques-
ton before the people. II Republican waste
fitness continues. distress must continue
Now we point with confidence and pride to the
periods of Democratic supremacy ms the times
Of greatest government frngality-the periods
when the people felt least the presence of gov
eminent, the periods when ''unvexed by in
iquitous laws" liberty reigned and plenty
smiled.
But behind all this are questions of Consti-
tntional principle, The real fight is with the
Republican party, because it is the chief au-
thor Of our calamiles. 1t came into control
of the government defying all constitutional
limitations of the will of the majority; its
chief power was obtained by the sword and il
has persistenlly sought 10 perpetuate it by the
same awfu, and deviish means It's longer
continuance in power means anarchy and all
the woes that anarchy entails upon a people.
n the presence of considerations so large
and so vital all personal animosities should be
subordnlted. Because the leader is not my
particular choice, shall |, therefore, desert the
ranks which for years have been fighting
against fearful odds, and have won so nobly ?
Shall one man drive me from my lifelong
fealty TO Democratic principle The party will
he better without the man whose loyalty is so
tlimsy and so bigoted, aud am sure that all
who calmly and thoughtfully consider the
matter will cheerfully accord 10 Mr. Peter the
support they would have given TO any other
gentleman in the district DptAI