The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-12-18
THE FINANCIAL WHIRLPOOL.
THE TINE TO ACT DRAWS CLOSE.


WICHITA, Kane, Dec. l6, 1879.
To tie Editor Of ~ Eagte::
As is its ever wont my pen has long
enjoyed the luxury Of silence. Respon-
sivc now to duty it essays to condemn
the threatened destruction of the gov
ernment currency. 1t isa menace, germ
ed from the confidence of party strength
"a consequence of our oft reiterated
caution, namely "The utter absence Of
q national financial system
This is no less evinced in the promul-
CATION of fanatical financial dogrnas
among the people than in the wild,
silly and aimless discussion of abstract
financial functions in Congress at the
time when the chaos of revolution de-
mands comprehension of total recon-
struction. (Old bottles will not preserve
new wine.) Yet no man of the illus
trious Congressional Brigade has step
ped forth to say aught that means aught
promising an adjustment of this serious
question. 1t founders still in the same
slough of dcspond in which the surren-
der of Appomatox left it, save and ex-
cept the exchange of few higher for n
few lower rate of Understanding bonds.
Whether from ignorance, Indifference,
or crinIinality, we say not. But here
all efforts at reformation have ceased.
Some two years since we we labored
TO present as the result Of some fifteen
years careful study of this intricate
question, a principle, as the basis of an
enduring financial system for this Ma
ton. 1t everywhere met the cordial
endorsement of the people. But upon
the politicians aud bankers it fell with
the chill of frozen sheet. At the time
Of its first cnunciati0n we said to some
enthusiasts Not yet this is but the
germ; its time win come" We said
this because one of its fundamental
purposes was 10 save and secure the
government currency to the people, for
we thought then, as we believe now,
they want it, and will have it. notwith-
standing all the sordid political combi-
nations that may cOnspire against it.
Upon more recent occasion, being
honored with call to preside over a
Greenback convention, in respectfully
declining we used these words:
And say to you, my countrymen, il
is less my speeches than your grievances
that has assembled this convention OF
frcemcn. We do not condescend TO
make war upon men individually, but
swear eternal conflict with false and
corrupt purposes. tell YOU.
my friends, the political cauldron boiis
when the same party have to adopt Il
different platform in every State Of the
Union TO catch the victims it would sac
rifice, and well defined system OF prac-
teal finance will ere long be sought.
And, mark me now, it Will be 50 hot
before another presidential election As
10 demand it.
think say truly to-day that the
honest, thinking masses of the Missis-
sippi valley viii vote for no man for
President who is not unequivocally pro-
nounccd upon the subject of well de-
fined system of finance for this Nation,
embracing the sacred integrity and pro-
lection of the government currency we
now enjoy. IL SO be, our time has
come, even sooner than our most san
gnine thoughts. We have at presen,
only time to make this comment: That
if were almost as well for the people Of
the Mississippi valley that their rivers
were ever frozen, and their railroads
burned, as that the 1.-THE Of wild ca,
banks aud ruinous eastern exchange
shall again DO inflicted upon them for
all time. Ii is now for them to reflect
determine and act. Their will be done.
Truly yours,
WIN C., WooDMAS,