The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-02-03
Dissolution of Parties.

The silver controversy appears to be
workisg wonders in Washington. 1t
presents an entirely new issue and one In
which sectional interests take shape en-
tirely different from that which has been
40 prominently visible for o number OF
years. The map of conflicting interest 10
rearranging itself on line more OF longl-
tude than of latitude. Instead OF North
against South, it is getting to be rather
East against West, though with nothing
like the completeness of the former antag-
onism. This time 1t 10 rather conflict OF
class interests, and becomes sectional mere |
lv by virtue of the predominance OF
different Glasses in different sections. |
Trading capital is located chiefly in
the North Eastern States and holds all
the rest of the country in kind Of vassal-
age-the vassalage of debt. 1t Is to the
interest of these old and populous States
that their claims shall be paid in gold 1t
is equally to the interest of the debtor
States that much cheaper currency than
gold shall be made legal tender. They
desire to have silver coin, worth only
ninety-two cents in gold, called dollar
| no doubt they would profit still more e.
| tensively if a. coin worth only twenty hve
cents in gold should be recognized as the
| legal dollar. The payment OF debts Woulo
| then become quite an amusement for an
agricultural people whose products enhance
in nominal value in proportion to the de-
probation of the currency.
We do not propose at this time to discuss
the policy or propriety of this Western
proposition. If we were satisfied of Its
alleged dishonesty, of course We should
be obliged to denounce it, but it seems that
there is q good deal to be said on both
sides Of that question. Bondholders are
} the principal opponents Of the measure
and yet it is urged that when the orig
inal bonds were issued, silver coin Of the
, value now contemplated was lawful ten
der. Then again, as to ordinary creditors
, most of the existing debt of individual
! was contracted when greenbacks wer'
O. worth less than ninety-two cents in golt
;. to the dollar.
We do not, therefore, fnd it neceesar!
Just now to side with either Mr.. Lamar Of
. the one hand, or with Mr.. B. F. Butler o.
!
: in this connection, as moral curiosity
that Mr.. Lamar, who represents the debto
h population, stands upon the lofty platforr
a of full payment in gold, while Mr.. Butle
" from within q few miles of rich, bond
a holding Boston, is champion Of the silvt
l. currency policy.
10 There is . point, however, that attrac
J. attention even among those who do NJ
70 know which policy to adopt, and that
A. the political 'upheaval wrought by the il
a he1ent force of the question. The pock
Z nerve is a wonderfully sensitive and syn
"A pathetic one. Let an issue arise, like thi
40 in which large pecuniary interests are
re stake, and see how quickly the sentiment
antipathies and alliances of years are disi
pated. Your rich bondholder may ha
n. hated the Southern brigadier most intenR
be ", as he supposed, ever since the war, ,
rv let him find the brigadier voting agair
ut silver, and the prejudices of several lust'
he arc dissipated az swiftly as a mornings mi
th He finds the brigadier to be atip- top fello
ry who in the ignorance of youth made sol
n slight mistake about States rights and otl
Or, abstruse political dOgmas. On the otl
es- hand an ardent silver ex.COnfederate
I'd: found poking "old Butler" in the ribs
IN slapping him on the shoulder with
l." familiarity of ancient friendship.
to The fact is that the sectional party l
,to was an unnatural one after the issue
er- slavery had passed away. Human af'
md are, in the long run, governed by inter-
the though, no doubt, important episodes
,ct. hsssd on the eide influences of hatred {
We other passions. Those very paSsic
,es- though, as o general thing will be found
han have besn aroused by conflict Of intere
IL, real or supposed. They do their wOrl