The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-14

.a,yvo statesmen

.-Er i
difslIsed from the vast body OF disappointed
politicians and dishonest partisans which
) now infest the land. Senator THURMAN,
ALWAYS the comprehensive inrist and SOUND
statesmen, Is prominent man In the tist
OF presidential nominees, and MP one STANDS
higher for all the qualities that 1T man ior
the position OF ruler OF the nation. ms
statement Of his views shows that ne STANDS
upon imprsgnable grounds. las position
Is that which is best for the people Of the
Union and best for all sections of the coun-
try. 1t is consistent with his publisscharacter,
consistent with wisdom and with patriot
ism. 1t is general and not special; it is ma
tional aud rot partisan in any sense that IS
inconsistent patriotism and Just re-
gard for the public welfare.
The leading views OF Mr.. THURMAN are
consistent, as he shows. with his past re-.
cord. and are presented in his weli-knoWn
frank and manly spirit. tainted with no
bias OF demagogism. and devoid 81 the
slightest shade OF concession from hlssplrit
OF craftsmanship to popular caprice or de-.
fusion.
Governor SEYMoUR's views are altogether
s,atesmanlike, and marked by honor ana
integrity OF principle. 1t is gratifying that
these two men are leading in the presenta'
ton OF ideas that are we'll calculated 70 ar
rest the nublic attention aud fix the puDhe
scrutiny with increased severity upon the
mad decisions of the day, which are fraught
with evil only. Plainly Senator THURMAN
feels that there is no danger from THESE de-
iusjops, ana he appeals with unfalter1ng
faith to the good sense OF the people TO s'iS-
tain the policy and the principles ne sup
norts. Mr.. SEYMOUR is equally calm ana
confident in his expectations. Hc {de-
clarcs >that "this year will explode
.manv errors, will SKATER many new par
..ties, and, it is to be hoped, will maEe
.clear and establish many new trut ns."
This view is hopeful, and as true as nc Is
hopeful. All the eXtravagancies OF COM
munism, ultra greenbackism, forcible re.
adjustment, and the various phases OF those
theories that tend TO the Illustration of}!us-
tice, OF integrity, and OF practical wisdom,
must be brought to defeats and to the pubic
contempt. They all propose the accom-
plishmcnt OF certain objects by means that
are dishonest, and alike destructive OF gus
tice and public peace and prosperity AS
Mr.. SEYMOUR says, General distress makes
general discomfort" This gives birth, he
saws, to various theories about Govern
ment, labor, and finances" The propor-
ton Of them which are wild and untenabie
is large. They could in no event tend to
public advantage and relief. They could
only increase public distress and help to
impair public morals.
In considering such views as the two
statesmen present the public will derive
advantage by being brought towards Also
luton OF the present troubles. We regard
the statement made by Senator THURMAN as
one that is hardly eXceptionable, and open
TO dispute, at least among Democrats, il we
leave out the discussion OF the national
banks, upon which there must be two sides,
and those two probably embracing many
men. For ourselves, as we have already
said, the substitution OF greenbacks Tor
national-bank currency would result in no
III
tity as we'll as in Kind" There need really
be no greatNdfference upon the subject.
The question, decided how it may be, pro-
misses no public injury.
Mir. SEYMOUR alludes to the unequal dis,
tribution Of banking facilities under the
bank law, and remarks that had the law
] United the amount OF banking capital
granted to localities the capitalists would
have been forced to resort to localities
where the banking capital was in deficit to
invest their means. We doubt. whether
there was as much want for this device to
regulate the distribution OF banking capital
MS Mr.. SEYMOUR seems to suppose. In the
first place, to make banking free, rs the
present system was designed 10 be, it may
be questioned whether the Government
could rightfully pass measure to force that
distribution Of capital which could not be
shade naturally and in conformity with the
laws OF commerce. Furthermore, the mo-
ment capital assumes the form Of bank
notes it must De subject to the laws Of COM
merce and the tendency OF free commercial
intercourse, and thus difuse itself over a
wide surface. "A check upon any bank in
Richmond would draw bank-notes that have
been issued by banks in all parts OF the
United States.
We repeat that we regard the views of
which we speak as valuable, since they
bring the public mind to the immediate con-
sideration OF tangible, rational, and solid
measures for the public benefit and the
public harmony. At the same time they
divert it from the wild theories which are
exploited by the national Aduliamites, and
which are intended almost exclusively for
the advantage Of disappointed and corrupt,
politicians. They are supported because
they are regarded Us the way to pub
lie Office and to the public treasury.
These are the men and the theories. to be |
Stunned by the people. Such theories can
only end in increasing public embarrass-
ment and private distress. Support only
those which promise the preservation OF
public and private integrity. Oppose all
class agitation and class legislation. Sup
port the policy that, shedding its benign
influence upon every part of the Union and
upon every class OF society, g gives ire
"sistible strength and universal well-beingi
sto the whole. 2 ,ls5
RICHMOND, VA, August 10, 1918.
Editors OF the Dispatch: Will you De /