The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-08-22
9euoted to Aarifalturs Aortisultars

N''S AS>.'SSi"'o Iicli iit
tage. How do you account for that? ?"
"lt 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 brigadicrs' 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, and 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
coloring which was given to the debates in
the Associated Press dispatches from Wash
ington. When came home sick in june
| 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-
ssnedly or not cannot say. But having
Il pretty correct idea of the drift of the de-
bate, L 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"
Il judge from what you have said that
the financial question will not occupy SO
important a 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 a 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 use Of troops at the pollS,' and the dep
uty marshals,' 'supcrvisDrs,' 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
Democrats Of tho East aud West mi1hk
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 tor 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
icrcnces will disappear and the Democrats
will De solid to go into the fight on the con-
solilation 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"
"As | said awhile ago, l think the differ
cncc is more apparent than real. Nobody
objects to silver us a currency, and to its
being maelc equal with gold, but tie uucs-
ton IS ho,o this Is to be accomplished. One
set Of Democrats, more notably those who
favored the warner Silver Bill" as it was
Introduced, ~. think that the unlm-
tied free coinage of silver by the Govern
mcnt is the best way to bring about the
equality-that is to say, if you have $2O,
900 worth Of silver bullion, which is worth
in reality but cighty-five cents in the dollar
of l12! grains, you shall be allowed to
carry the bullion to a 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
sically worth but ci@hty.fivc 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 rcmonctizcd an ! 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 i'll
their present relations, will rcadust them
selves to each other, ana to the business of
the country with, perhaps, such modifca-
tons as 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 | agree
with those who hold the latter opinions
1t is very difficult, complicated subject,
one Of the most difficult in governmental
science, is this question Of finance, aud very
few men in the world understand it, at least,
in the application of its principles to gov
crnmcnt And yet you hear men talk about
it as slibly and confidently as if it were as
simple as "Thc Rule Of Three" | confess,