Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-04
Firm the Portland Press.
4 BeWildercd Democrat.
Bur oNI or or A GREAT MANY.

To the Editor Of the Press;
| was brought up in the faith of the demo-
cratic party thought in my youth that Jack
son, Van Buren,, Benton, Wright and Levi
Woodbury. were Just right sworc by Bcnton's
mint drops; held National Bank and Nick
Biddlc in adherence; and read the Argus
every week. Indeed the Argus was really,
with the old Boston Statesman edited by Col
Greene, my gospel was taught that con-
traction was an abomination. When the SUI
premc Court decided that treasury notes were
not legal tender, | hailed its decision with de-
light. and when Grant, rs | believed asked
the court to override that just decision |
cursed the court as ant-democratic and as de-
Gliding against the constitution which declares
that Congress has power to coin money. |
thought with other democrats that coming
money did not mean printing money or writ
ing money, but melting gold and silver into
good. honest, standard dollars.
/ did not recognize Treasury notes as
money. but thought they were certificates of
Indebtedness. believed they we're issued
because they were so many evidences of the
country's inability to pay them. During the
war took them. hoping that the country
would some day pay them and never dream
ing for a moment they were money; but
thinking them rather doubtful notes to be
paid il the government succeeded in putting
down the rebellion. read with delight Judge
Cliffords able opinion. and the Argus en-
dorsemont of it. Judge of my surprise when
saw in that paper short time ago the fol-
lowing:
/. weaeree that the general government possesses
the power under the constitution TO issue paper cur
rcncy for the peope-that this is one of its highest
prerogatives.
2 We agree that II Is the duty of the government
in the interests Of the people to exercise this preog
alive and issue such currency and that our country
can never attain its highest condition of solid and
enduring prosperity until the government does issue
the currency.
3. We agree that banking institutions should not
be allowed to issue curIencv-but that their bills out
standing should be gradually withdrawn and public
indebtedness paid off with the greenbacks issued to
take their place
Upon reading this ! asked myself am | a
democrat or am not? Was Judge Clifford
sound, or is his opinion nonsense? Has the
Argus changed or what is the matter? If the
Argus is democratic now, what has my whole
life been but anti-democratic? Are my past
professions going for nothing? Must follow
the Argus and vote for such centralizing prin-
cples as these? Is man compelled to fol-
low the Argus and feel that by so doing he is
guilty of the most shameful abandonment of
all his life long convictions! No. thou
sand times no, said to myself will not,
at the behests of Pillsbury. Adams < Co..
stultify myself | believe in democracy. but
not in rag money democracy 1t would be
as consistent in me as a democrat to support
this fusion as it would be for a good Catholic
to try TO build up the Protestant religion.
The only thing for me to do th, year is to
vote the straight republican ticket and save
the organization of the party, for if the fusion
succeeds it makes Ewing the next democratic
leader, and that brings ruin and death to true
democratic principles in this country. If the
Pillsbury game fails this year it makes Mr..
Tilden our standard bearer and brings dis
grace upon the movers in this glaring aban.
donment Of democratic principles.
| was going to vote on the quiet and say
nothing. But your extracts from the Argus
have riled me. think that paper ought to
BE- rebuked for lis shameful descrton of dem
ocratic doctrines. 1t is time for honest dem
ocrats to speak right out in meeting.
ALWAYS DEMOCRAT.