Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-17
MEMPHIS APPEAL
hIUAI1 MAI II, 10
HON W. q. WHITTHORNE-

NON w. q. WHITTHORNF-
The people Of Tennessee have abundant
cause to be proud o. their delegation in con-
gress. Bright, Atkins, House and Casey
Young are recognized as the most industri-
ols, able and efficient members of congress,
and General w. C. WLitthorne, as chairman
of the committee on naval affairs, has taken
a high position as a Democratic leader in the
house. General Whitthorne delivered a
speech on the ninth instant, showing that the
teachings of the Republican party, and their
policy, and all their legislation, has been in
favor of capital, of monopolies and corpora
tions-that it has exacted taxes and contribu-
tions from the consumers and laborers, the
poor OF the country, to benefit and build up
the loyal capitalists of the trade centers of
the north. He most ably and effectualy
fixed upon the Radical party the RESPONSE
bility for the poverty and distress of the la
boring classes of the north and the depression
of the agriculturalists of the west and south.
He showed that the banking system estab-
lished by the Republican party, controlling
the currency and supported by and managing
the revenues of the whole country, has been
the fruitful source of the depression of trade
and the oppression of labor. We make the
following extract:
An appeal to the record will show, how
ever, that step by step this conspiracy in favor
of the money power against the labor and
industry of the country has encountered the
stern opposition of the Democratic represent
atives; and that now, while upon all sides
OF US and In all sections of our common
country, notwithstanding the earth in pro-
ductlon has been generous, the seasons have
been kind and gentle, and labor has with
skill and industry added increasing millions
to the common treasury of the world, yet in
our midst, and among all classes save the
favored few, distress, poverty and banruptcy
prevail, and that for this alone are those who
at present administer our finances RESPONSE
BILE. If there be merit in this state of things
John Sherman, the present secretary of the
treasury, more than any other man, is enti-
tied to the credit. If there be wrong, crime
and folly, he is the chief criminal Relief
cannot come from a resort to violence; strikes
fan as remedy, and more often than other
wise recoil with disastrous effect to the cause
they seek to favor. The law is the best friend
OF the poor and the laboring man.
He then proceeded to define the position of
parties: The issues are well and sharply de-
fined. Parties are strongly arrayed on each
present Legislation OF the country is main
tanned with great obstinacy. The party in
power, with all the influence of the govern
ment, conscious in its strength is the advo-
cate of adherence. In this policy of adher-
ence there is no proposition to amend or mod
ify the tariff and the internal revenue laws.
Adherence means no change in the laws
which have brought the country to its pres
ent condition; no protest against the monop-
ohes that control the trade and industries of
the country; no modification of the banking
laws, under which the bondholder controls
and dictates the rewards of labor, and no
relief from the burdens of taxation. If we
accept the measures of relief proposed
by the policy of Mr.. Sherman, we
must prepare to adjust cur trade for
eign and domestic). our debts ina
tional, State, municipal, corporate, and indi-
viduaD, upon a specie basis, and that basis,
according to the policy of adherence, must
be maintained. Step by step, as we ap-
proach the day of resumption, bankruptcy,
distress, poverty and ruin mark and overtake
every industrial pursuit, and enter into al
most every household of the land" Gen.
eral Whitthorne then gives the policy which
the Democrats propose in lieu of the ruinous
legislation of the Radicals. After enumerat-
ing at length the remedy which the Democrats
proposal policy fair to all classes, guarantee
ing to all their rights, resisting subsidies and
bonuses for capital and exactions upon the
masses for its benefit and protection, and
bringing before the country, in striking light,
the fact that upon the success of the National
Democratic party, and the enforcement of its
doctrines and policy, depend the perpetuity
of free government, as well as the prosperity
of the people-General Whitthorne says:
The next step in the relief to be afforded
TO the people is to restore the government in
Its administration to the economical methods
and constructions of the powers of its execu-
tive and legislative departments to the teach
ings and practices Of its founders These
teachings and practices were In effect. that
the government was but the agent of
the people, and none but granted powers
were to be exercised, and then only without
abuse, extravaganza, or unnecessary expense
How far and widely have we departed from
these teachings. An adherence to them
would cure all the evils that now afflict us.
An adherence to them would solve the con-
tlIct between capital and labor. An adher-
ence to them would insure the safety of free
institutions forever.
The Democratic party is a national organ
IL alton, and 1t has the will, and will certainly
have the power, at no distant day, to correct
tle ills that beset the country. General
Whitthorne shows that the Republican party
is responsible for the distress that affects the
rich and the poor alike. The people, the |
honest masses, which constitute the Demo- |
cratic party, cannot be seduced from their |
party by brood of pestilent demagogues,
who, having been repudiated by the old es-
tablished parties are anxious to secure Office |
by humbugging the workingmen. For this |
purpose these blatant office-seeking dema-
gogues stigmatizs the Democratic party as |
of confidence. when they know
that the Democrats have remonetized silver, |
will repeal the resumption act, the ubiquitous |
Radical tariff. and inaugurate policy which |
will give relief to the country