Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-13

Upon the Policy the Democratic Party
Should Assume-Phe Currency and the
South.
I New York Herald.
I WASHINGTON, December l0.--Senator
/ Wade Hampton yesterday expressed
himself very fully, in conversation, con-
cerning the financial question, and your
correspondent, with his permission,
sends YOU the following as the substance
of what he said. Senator Hampton, as
YOU have already been informed, is very
decided in his approval OF the resolution
recently introduced by Senator Bryard,
and expresses himself strongly in
favor of its adoption and
support by the Democratic
party. "Mr. Bayard," he said, sis one
of the comparatively few men in the
country who had rather be right than
President, and his course in regard to
the currency has left no room for doubt,
il any man of any party were disposed
% doubt, that he is guided in this mat
ter solely by his sincere, and, as | be
cOnduce to the best interests OF the
whole country Senator Hampton ev-
identity shares these convictions, which,
he maintains, are in perfect accord with
the oldest and sOundest financial prin-
ciples OF the Democratic party as assert
eel bv its former recognized leaders.
Democrats and Hard Money.
"The Democracy he says, "has al
ways been hard money party and
should hasten Ia seize the opportunity
now presented of declaring its devotion
TO its old financial principles and OF plac-
ing itself squarely on record in their
support. The Republicans naturally
hesitate to adopt the Democratic theo-
ry, or even 90 the lengths recommended
bv their financial leaders, but rather
manifest a strong desire TO leave matters
as they stand for fear Of the serious dis
sensions and divivisions likely to be Oc-
casioned in their own ranks by this sud-
den attempt at wholesale conversion.
There is no reason for hesitation on
the part OF Democrats. The course in
dicated by Mr.. BavaId and indOrsed by
the President and Secretary OIL the
Treasury is directly in the line OF all
Democratic principle and precedent,
and should be adOl ted, therefore, in my
Judgment, without a dissenting voice.
The party has oCquetted with soft
money doctrines quite long enough,
and has lost steadily and deservedly IN
consequence. IL ought 20 be satisfied
with the experiment and never repeat
il. The Greenback party, as such, has
almost disappeared, its members having
returned in body 10 the Republican
party, from which they were drawn.
The soft money Democrats have been
allowed 10 test their full strength, and
having failed in every State should be
willing 10 confess their weakness and
permit the Other-the hard money
wing OF the party tO dictate its financial
policy i'm accordance with old and fun
dameutal principles, and conduct the
fight 10 a successful issue.
No More Rag Baby Nonsense
even il there nothing more at stake
than the election OF a President con-
tinued General Hampton, "and a soft
money candidate would be elected, he
would be powerleSs 20 carry his views
into effect in the face of the Overwhelm-
ing opposition he would encounter IN
his own party, in Congress and in the
country. There is absolutely nothing To
be gaiupd by further compromises with
the soft money theory, and none should
he made, i'm my judgment. The country
has emphatically declared itseltIn iayOrOt
hard money, and eNpedlency alone
would seem 10 require that the Democ-
racy should take advantage OF the pres
ent situation and place themselves IN
the strong position left open 10y the hes
itation and iudecisiOn of their opponents.
We could not be charged with tamper-
ing with the currency, seeing that the
question has been opened by the Re
publican President and his Secretary,
whose action has left us no alternative
but 10 choose sides. Ii tOnly remains Tor
us, therefore, 10 place ourselves on rec
ord in defence OF our own principles
or against them. The HsrGH was
right in the views it expressed in a re-
cent editorial on this subject. The
Democrats now have their opportunity.
Success is within their reach Il they act
wisely and promptly, and they deserve
defeat il they are not prepared and de-
termined 10 take advantage OF 1t. II
would be sound policy, therefore, Tor us
To do our duty. But whether we should
succeed or fail, whether it is eXpedient
or not, would make the fight on this
issue and on this line. 1t is the line Of
consistency and principle. and We had
better he whipped fighting for the right
than 20 win upon any other ground.
Bringing North and South Together.
a .
ter he continued. This financial
question is in tact the real ground upon
which is based whatever feelings of
distruSt and dislike the North may en-
tertain toward the South. We are sus-
pected ot being at heart 4 community
of repuiiatOrS, or, at best, ot holding
very loose or unSOund views concerning
the national currency and national debt,
and so long as this Is the case the busI-
ness Interests of the wealthler section,
which have SOmuCh at stake in the settle
ment OF these matters, will continue TO
regard with suspicion and concern every
accession of power which the South
NAV obtain, or he supposed TO obtain,
through the successes Of the political
party of which IL constitutes So laage a
the part of the people of the North to-
ward the South, as Is So often alleged,
but there Is this manifest feel
ing of anxiety regarding the safety
OF their investments which arrays
the moneyed men and property holders
generally IN defence of sound Curren-
cy and fixed financial policy and against
the ATTACKS which they have been taught
20 fear the Democratic party, and es.
pecillly the south, are disposed and
ready To make upon the first opportun-
itv. There is, of course no foundation
for this fear. The South has always
been conservative, and should it ever be-
called upon again to exercise its proper
share i'm the direction Of the government,
which is all that 1t asks, It will assured
ly be as conservative in the future as it
has been in the past.
Trust the South.
"The South requires only to Ice fully
understood I'm order 10 be fully trusted,
but We can prove these facts only by
our action upon financial questions aS
they come up in Congress. A proper
occasion for such TeaSSuring action Is
now presented, As it seems TO me, and
the South should put itself promptly
and cmphaticallp on record in support
OF a settled financial policy, a settled
currency and settled country.
III every Democrat, and par
ticularly every Southern Democrat
in Congress, would respond promptly
to the challenge that has been made to
them, and would rally to a man in sup
port of the currency and credit Of the
country, the war upon a South thus
solid, would, in my opinion, be virtu-
ally at an end, and the election ofa Dem
Ocratic President be already assured
Mr.. Bayard's Resolution.
There was a report this evening that
the caucus Of Democratic Senators held
- / ] ] 4 l.