Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-12-25
INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR
HAMPTON.

Oenntor Nauc hampton oppressed hmn
self worry fully, in conversation, concerning
tho financial question, and your correspon.
don't, with his permission, scnds you the
following as tho substance of what no said.
Senator Hampton, as you have already been
informed, is very decided in his approval Of
tho resolution recently introduced by Sena-
tor Bayard, and expresses himself strongly
in favor Of ito adoption and support by the
Democratic party. "Mr. Bayard," he said,
"is ono of the comparatively few men in the
country who had rather be right than Presi-
dent, ard his course in regard to the currency
has loft no room for doubt, if any man of any
party were disposed to doubt. that he is
guided in this matter solely by his sincere,
and, rs believe, sound convictions Of what
will conduco to tho best interests Of tho whole
country" Senator Hampton evidently
shares these convictions, which, no maintains
are in porfoct accord with the oldest and
soundest financial principles of tho Dcmo.
cratic party as asserted by it's former recog.
hized leaders,
DEMOCRATS and HARD MONEY.
"The Democracy" he says, "has always
been hard monoy party and should hasten
to sczo the opportunity now presented Of
declaring its devotion to its old financial
principles and of placing itself squarely on
record in their support. The Republicans
naturally hesitate to adopt tho Democratic
theory, or evon to 60 the lengths recommended
by their financial leaders, but rather mani-
fest strong desire to leave matters as they
stand for fear Of tho serious dissensons and
divisions likely to be ocoasioned in their own
ranks by this sudden attempt at wholesale
conversion. There is no reason for hesita,
ton on the part of Democrats The course
indicated by Mr.. Bayard and indorsed by the
President and Secretary Of tho Treasury is
plo and precedent, and should be adopted,
therefore, in my judgment, without dis.
senting voice. The party has co4uctted with
soft money doctrines quito long enough; and
has lost steadily and deservedly in oonse'
quence. II ought to be satis6ed with the
experiment and never repeat ii. The Greens
back party, as suoh, has almost disappeared,
its members having returned in d body to the
Republican party, from which they were
been allowed to test their full strength, and
having failed ib every State should DO willing
to confess their weakness md nermit the
other tho hard moDey-wing Of the party
to dictate it's financial policy in accordance
with old and fundamental principles, and
conduct the fight to- successful issue.
NO MORE RAG BABY NONSENSE.
Even if there were nothing more at stake
Al IL IL -
General Hampton, "and a soft money candi.
dato could be elected, ho would be powcrloss
70 carry his views into effect in the face of
the overwhelming opposition he would en-
counter in his own party, in Congress and
in the country. There is absolutely nothing
to bo gained by further compromises with the
soft money theory, and mono should be made,
in my judgment. Tho country has emphati-
cally declared itself in favor Of hard money,
and expedienoy alone would seem to require
that the Democracy should take advantage Of
the strong position loft open by the hesitation
and indeosion Of their opponents. We could
not be charged with tampcrng with tho cur
rency, seeing that tho question has been
opened BY the Republican President and his
Secretary, whose action has left US no alter.
native but to choose sdes. 1t only remains
for rs, therefore, to place ourselves on record
in defence o! our own principles or against
them. The Herald was right in the views it
expressed in G recent editorial on this subject.
The Democrats now have their opportunity.
Success is within their reach if they act
wisely and promptly, and they deserve defeat
ifthey arc not prepared and determined to
take advantage of it. It would be sound
policy, therefore, for us to do our duty. But
whether we should succeed or fall, whcther
it is expcdent or not, I would make the fight
on this iasue and on this line. It is the line
of consistency and principle, and We had
better bo whipped fighting for tho right than
to win upon any other ground,
BRINGING NORTH AND SOUTH TOGETHER.
"There is another view of the matter" lie
continued. "This financial question is in
fact the real ground upon which is based
whatever feelings Of distrust and dislike the
North may entortain toward the South. We
are suspected of being ut heart n community
of repudiators, or. ut bost of holding very
loose and unsound views concerning the ma
tional currency and national debt, and 80
long rs this is the case tho business interests
of the wealthier section, which have so much
Mt stake in the settlement of these matters,
will continue to regard with suspicion and
South may obtain, or DO supposed to obtain,
through tho successes of tho political
party of which it constitutes 80 largo pro-
portion. There is no real hatred on the part
Of tho people Of the North toward the South,
as is SO often alleged. but thero is this mani
fest feeling Of anxiety regarding the safety Of
their investments which arrays tho moneyed
men and property holders generally in Defence
Of sound currency and fixed financial policy
and against tho attacks which they havo
boon taught to fonr the Democratic party,
md especially tho South, arc disposed and
ready to mako upon tho first opportunity.
There is Of course no foundation whatever for
this fear The South has always been con.
servative, and should it ever be called upon