The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-06-14

aster. Inc Two great parties have changed
front from OH me me money as well as on other ques-
tons, Inc field the Democracy have ADAM
doned is now held by the Republicans 'That
winch now goes by the name of Democratic
parry, says the Chicago Times, sis party of
tisc1l ulsnonesty; party combined in hostility
10 noiiest money, in favor of projecting the
practlce OF papa-goyernment into an unlimited
system OF financial swindling, and of entering
upon all manner of paternalistio improvement
schemes In order to demoralize and curse the
country with pestilence of sham money infla-
tlon. The men who now employ the word
democrat as the convenient handle of party
organization have wrenched it from meaning
it once had, and made it synonymous with al
most every form of political Badness almost
every method of economic humbug and fraud"
All OF which is true. On the other hand the
stone which the Democratic builders have re-
lected has become the corner stone of the
KepuDllean party, which is today the party of
honest money; a party which upholds the ma
t1onal faith; the party of law, order and re-
form.
While the Democratic leaders, or rather
those who control what was once the Demo-
cratlc party, but is so no longer, are appealing
to the passions and preiudices of the ignorant
the repudiationists, the Communists and the
nat money fanatics-the Republican party
adheres to the good old Democratic doctrine of
hard money, and will have the support of the
Intelligence of the country, of its commercial
and Industrial interests-in short of all who
belleVe IN honest money and an honest govern
ment. Speaking, as we feel we have the right
to do, Tor the hard money Democrats of this
section, at least, we declare now, as we have
frequently done heretofore, that they will not
sacrifice their principles by adopting the policy
of the so-called Democratic leaders in Maine:
and that they will not vote for any candidate,
of any party, who is not in full accord with
their views on the money question. They will
adhere to the Democratic doctrine of hard
wharavar IL Ooau 1aa6 than Of
whatever cost, believing it to be the only true
and honest policy, and believing, too, that an
honest dollar for all, and stable currency,
can alone ensure both individual and national
prosperity.
WHAT CANDIDATE SMITH SAYS.
The following is the letter of acceptance as
the candidate for governor of Maine of the
National Greenback party by Mr.. Joseph L.
Smith:
OLDTowN, Me- June 7, 1879
To the Members of the National Greenback Party
of Maine:
AS indicated by the few words at your convention
in Portland. will briefly express my appreciation
as candidate for governor of Maine also my hearty
Endorsement of the principles put forth by the Ma
tional Greenback party. L hold that the financial
legislation of the country has been the principal
cause of the hard times The law has changed the
value of the dollar, thus violating contracts and
sacrificing debtors to creditors This has DESTROYED
our industries, bankrupting business capital and
distressing labor. The appreciation in the value of
money has absorbed the vast payments made upon
the public debt. While the debt is nominally re-
duced hundreds of millions it yet would require
more property real or personal, to pay it than at
the close of the war. This explains the vain effort
of debtors to meet their obligations, while the
standard of payment has been continually advance
ed. This change in the value of money has been
accomplished in the interests of and by both home
and foreign creditors by controlling our paper cur
rency and demonetizing silver thus giving greater
exchangable value to gold.
As first measure of relief your platform right
fully demands the unlimited coinage of gold aud
silver, and in addition thereto sufficient amount
of legal tender currency, to be issued by the gov
ernment for the transaction of the business of the
country The keeping of nearly SAC, 000, 900 of
idle coin in the United States treasury, and taxing
impoverished people to pay the interest upon it
is an evident that it would seem that no
reasonable person could fail to recognize it. This
coin should have been used in the payment of bonds
resolution as to the quantity of money shows
wherein the present system is failure. No one of
its advocates can now tell if it will give us more
or less money during the coming year. The quanti-
ty of money which SO Immediately affects its value
is now left wholly to chance. A system like this
never has and never can give sound basis for bust
ness. Taxes are now very unequally borne, and our
laws should be changed that all species of pro-
perty should bear their equal burden of taxation
These great national questions the first, and
will be influenced by the vote of this state. Our
chief aim should be state to speak to the
country our condemnation of its present financial
policy.
The affairs of state more lately within our
control require careful and judicious administra-
ton. There is a mountain of debt, consisting of
what is owed by individuals, towns, counties and
the state, together with our proportion of the
national debt. the payment of which can only be
accomplished by economy and honesty in all de-
partments of public service. The policy of the
state government for the present year in retrench
ment and reform should be continued as the first
duty of debt-burdened people, With such princi-
pies as economy in government, equal rights for
labor and capital, equal taxation and such cur
rency, the voters of the National Greenback party
q ha1 fha aht,caS
which we now suffer- The emergency calls upon
all citizens for united conduct and vigorous cam
pagn against those who have nearly ruined both
this state and the nation. That such an effort on
the part of the people will be crowned with success
is the belief of your obedient servant
(SignedD JOSEPH L. SMITH