Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-01-11
HON. G.. G. VESTS LETTER.
SEDALIA, Mo Dec, Z. lS7

SEDALIA, Mo Dec. Z, 1873.
Hon. WM. l.. BROWN My Dear Sir
Your favor of the 9TH instant, was re-
ceived by me at this place. your first
letter not reaching me. 1t affords me
very great pleasure To answer the ques
ton stated In your letter, as l have no
opinion which l am not always willing
to express, and to which the people are
not entitled. therefore reply to each
OF your questions as they are numbered
Flrst-1f elected to the United States
senate, shall oppose by all honorable
means, any encroachment by the federal
tribunals upon the jurisdiction and
powers of the state courts, and shall
oppose all Legislation empowering the
federal courts to enforce their judgment
by any other methods than through the
state courts aud their officers. am "a
states rights democrat, opposed in every
fiber OF my soul and body to centraliZa-
ments ofthe government, and in tiuance.
The great danger now to be apprehend
ed is from the centralizing doctrines OF
the republican party, and the federal
judiciary has kept time to the steady
ward absolutism and 'centralization.
AS the law now stands, under the de-
cision OF the supreme court reversing
Judge Dillon in the St. Genevleve case.
the United States Marshals cannot levy
upon and sell the property OF citizens
to satisfy judgment against. counties.
and legislation is therefore necessary TO
meet the necessities OF the bondholdiug
interest. To all such legislation am
unalterably opposed
Second.-As have stated in every
portion OF the state, and on every oc
casion, believe that congress has the
constitutional power TO make paper
money. and tosgive it all the purchasing
and paying qualities of gold and silver.
Third believe that congress has
the power to make greenbacks Il legal
tender, and | regard this as settled by Il
decision of the supreme court, and the
fact that they have been made legal
tender and are now the money of the
country. t..-,.... .....
Fourth.-I am in favor of the issue by
the federal governments of legal tender
greenback currency sufficient tor the
business requirements OF the country.
and in my judgment the business OF the
country would easily support the issue
Of one thousand millions OF greenbacks.
That is to SAY, the paper circulation
should be one thousand millions, in ad
dition to coin, and these greenbacks
should be made receivable for all public
and private d:es. The congestion OF
business must be removed. and it can
only be done by reversing the financial
policy Of the government and stopping
contraction. l am for a tripartite cur
rency, gold, silver and greenhacks.
equal to each other aud receivable Tor
everything.
Fifth favor the immediate abolition
Of the national banking system. They
are the Pretorian guards which stand in
solid phalanx around the administra-
ton, ready to obey its commands and to
support all its policies. $50.
Sixth.-I am in favor of the free coin
age of silver and all Legislation that will
be necessary to place that metal upon a
perfect equality with gold as money.
Seventh am in lavor OF the repeal
of the resumption act. Its passage was
unnecessary and crime against the
business of the country. The sooner it
is repealed the better it will be for the
industries and energies of the people,
which. it has paralyzed and destroyed.
Eighth.--I am opposed to any further
issue by the government OF interest
bearing bonds.
Ninth.--I am IN favor of the payment
OF all bonds of the government in green
backs, when the terms of the bonds as
originally issued will admit Of such pay
ment. Especially do l favor the pay
ment of the ive-twenties in greenbacks
whenever tho bond can be identified.
The substitution oil gold bonds for the
| five-twentieS was an act OF fraud and
robbery.
Tenth.-It is hardly necessary for me
to say that 1 heartily favor the improve
ment oI the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers, and that should labor earnestly
and persistently to secure appropriations
tor these purposes. 1 am western
man, and whilst desiring no sectional
issues, / believe that the empire OF
the continent Is in the valley of the
Mississippi, and not in the cold and
barren hills OF New England. Let the
bounty OF the government be given to
those sections which were made poor
by the war. Let the Mississippi pe i'm
proved, its levees rebuilt, and its waters
colored by our. own soil, flow in unin-
terrupted and imperial majesty to the
gulf. ii this were done aud the southern
people permitted to rebuild their broken
fortunes, without federal interference,
We should again see tiotIllas OF magniti-
cent steamers bearing to the south oul
surplus productions. and bringing back
the proceeds OF their cotton. and not us
now. solitary boat coughing along it:
dreary way, shameful commentary
upon the policy which has produced this
result.
You can use this as you please
Verv truly, ETC.,