The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-08-22

debate, that the Republicans outgcucrallcd
the Democrats and put them at disadvan.
taSe. How do you account for that 2"
1T Is due to several causes AS have
said, the Radicals sounded their gongs and
made the most noise at first, and frightened
the timid minded of both parties. They
talked about revolution and rebellion and
secession and slavery and treason and
Confederate brigadiers' and almost every
thing else, except the real issues under dis.
cussion' But the country got accustomed
to this, and as soon as it was discovered
that the revolution did not begin, aud that
the Confederate brigadiers' were the most
conservative and prudent men in Congress,
the people began to look at the facts, the
scare wore off and the Radicals weakened.
Another cause for the impression to which
you refer is to be found, | think, in the
colorlnS which was given to the debates in
the Associated Press dispatches from Wash
lnSton. When | came home sick in June
l was struck with the character of these
dispatches. In them the Radicals were AL
most always made to appear to better ad
vantage than the Democrats, whether de-
slsnedly or not cannot say. But having
a pretty correct idea of the drift of the de-
bate, could sec that there was partiality
shown to the Radical speakers, and the
people naturally formed erroneous conclu-
sions from those dispatches. As to the
Democratic management, of course there
were mistakes, but in the main the contro-
verSy was managed with great skill and
tact aud ability by the Democratic lead
crs"
VI Judge from what you have said that
the financial question will not occupy SO
important position in the approaching
campaign as the political questions to which
you have referred?"
II do not think so. In my Judgment
the Radicals committed great party blum
der in not forcing the financial question
upon the Democrats, instead of permitting
the Democrats to compel them to meet is
sues which they (thc Dcmocrats) made on
'ths uso of troops at the polls, and the dep
uty marshals,' supervisors test oath,' &c,
&c. True, the Republicans were divided
on financial questions as we'll as the Dem
ocrats, but not SO much so, and if they had
forced the fight on that issue at the begin.
ing Of the extra session, and kept it up, the
bcu,ocr~ss -llsssl, -~.ssdd--lyes miohi
have been divided; but they did not do so,
and the opportunity has passed. I think
the differences of opinion among Democrats,
on the silver question (for that is now about
the only financial matter upon which there
is difference of opinion is more apparent
than real, and hope and Believe that be.
fore the Presidential canvass opens all diff
terences will disappear and the Democrats
will De solid to go into the fight on the con-
solidation doctrines Of the Radicals. | do
not understand either wing of the Demo
cratic party to be opposed to silver nor to
its equalization with gold"
"What then is the point of difference in
the Democratic party on the silver ques-
ton Z"
Gas l said awhile ago, think the differ
cncc is more apparent than real. Nobody
objects to silver as a currency, and to its
being made equal with gold, but tie uucs-
ton is hoD this is to be accom- plished. One
set Of Democrats, more notably those who
favored the "Warner Silver Bill" as it was
originally Introduced think that the unlim-
tied free coinage of silver by the Govern
mont is tho best way to bring about the
equality-that is to say, if you have $780,
600 worth of silver bullion, which is worth
in reality but eighty-fve cents in the dollar
of 4123 grains, you shall be allowed to
carry the bullion to United States mint
and have it coined into standard silver dol
lars, so that the moment the Government
stamp is put upon it that which was intrin-
scally worth but eighty.fve cents becomes,
by this artificial appliance, worth one han.
drcd cents. On the other hand, there are
those who think. that silver having been
fully remonctizcd and invested with unlim-
tied legal tender power, it is best to limit
its coinage for the present, at least, and
gradually restore its equality to gold. They
think that the two metals, if let alone in
their present relations, will readjust them.
selves to each other, and to the business Of
the country with, perhaps, such modifica-
tions us trade and commercial interest and
time will dictate and justify. This is the
leading difference, only as to the means to
accomplish the same result, and l agree
with those who hold the latter opinions
1t is a very difficult, complicated subject
one of the most difficult in governmental
science, is this question Of finance, and very
few men in the world understand it, at least
in the application Of its principles to gov
eminent, Aud yet you hear men talk abou
it as glibly and confidently as if it were al
i e.,, ,lo m. tS1Nbo IL nc TL.o~U -.