The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-30
THE SILDER DELrSTON.
The Real Views OF Gov. Hendricks of
Indiana.

ToTHE EDITOR OF THE SrN-SU: notice
that on the faith in reporters alleged inter-
view with Gov. Hendricks. published in the
Cincinnati Commercial, he is charged with a
complete surrender 10 the silver lunacy
You will perceive that injustice is done to
Gov. Hendricks. when YOU conn pare the unwor-
thy language which the reporter puts in his
mouth as uttered last week. with the true Ian
guage uttered by Gov Hendricks himself in
1874
lie, me first state the fact that Gov Hendricks
opposed the passage Of the act of 1869 but after
IT was passed he took public pains. in the very
canvass which resulted in his election to the
Gove.norship. 10 declare both its character and
its binding force.
In opposing the passage of the act in the SEN
ate Feb 81. 1869. he had doscrihcd the issue
then joined rs the question whether the holders
ofthe bonds have an equitable claim upon MS now.
while the difference between paper and gold is
so great as il IT, to declare that these bonds shall
be payable in gold"
Such. also. was the description OF that act OF
1869. which was given after it's passage by the
Indiana Democratic platform. that demanded
it's repeal in the following language:
R,s5ret ne That are favor OF the redemption Of
the ~ bonds In srrcntacks according 20 the laws under
which they were issued
h'-.rt i That We are in favor Of the rclca Of tho
so A. to MAKE bombs pay able eAcas.'e, IA gold.
But Gov Hendricks not only declared the act
10 be Of binding force. and not rcpealable: he
also declared repeatedly. in the same speech.
that the act pledged the payment Of the bonds
in gold.
Is it credible. therefore. that Gov. Hendricks.
who said on Sept 81 1874: By the first act
which President Grant signed in 1869 the faith
and honor of the country are pledged 10 the
in ali bnv oil Int III
restoration Of silver and their payment in sill
yer would be no breach of the public faith ?"
II il incredible for two reasons; l. In 1874
MS now. the discarded silver dollar had fallen
in value. and was worth when he spoke. hut
97.7s in gold. But Gov. Hendricks did not yield
20 the temptation OF dishonor and advocate pay
mcnt in the cheaper coin. He said: " The faith
and honor OF the country are pledged 10 the
payment in gold.' Notwithstanding the gold
dollar was then the most costly dollar.
Q The act of 1873 had discarded the silver
dollar, and had said that the gold dollar at the
standard weight Of ass grains shah be the
unit Of value SO that to this act Of 1873 the
language Of Gov Hendricks as 10 the act OF
1863 perfectly applies:
whatis the ofcct Of the act :. rlcdsins navmen,
in godi Upon that question have no doubts Consrcss
passed IT, and the President approved and signed They
had tn, constitutional power Their acts within
the sphere Of their power, bind the people Millions
the bonds have been sold aud the purchasers
be paii IN accordance with the pledge given II my
ncshhor holds my note tor money which have com.
plee defence in law that was given without consid
GRAFTON or that obtained by fraud and say TO an
other ncehhor who mpacs purchasing II that
rHht and viii be pad and rclyng upon that statement
he does purchase 49, cannot withdraw that statement It
binds me into whatever hands the note may subsequent
y pass
IL k.aa NV 81