The daily gazette., 1880-07-22
lniRD EDITION
A NOTABLE POLITICAL GATH
ERING,


VIEWS OF THE HON. RoBT. M. M'LANE
ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION -
WHAT THE REPUBLICAN, PARTY HAS
NOT DONE.
In the pleasant, cool rooms occupied
by Henry Watterson, editor of the
Louisville Courier-J ournal, on the
ground floor of the Everett House,
number of distinguished gentlemen of
the Democratic faith sought shelter
and counsel ON Saturday.
Among those assembled there about
noon were Speaker Randall, of Penn
sylvania, and Hon. Robert M. McLans
of Baltimore, tie latter our minister
to China under Pierce and minister to
Mexico during the early part of Mr..
Buchanan's presidency.
The Republican platform adopted
at Chicago having become a temper
ary topic of conversation the writer,
who was present, asked Mr.. RandalPs
opinion of that instrument. The
speaker laughingly said that he hadn't
looked at it since the general glance
he gave it when it first appeared and
that any deliberate judgment-such as
he might be willing to have appear in
print necessarily be deferred
until after the better examination he
kindly undertook to give it.
Mr.. McLane, though, had been suf-
ficiently impressed by the main fea-
an opinion of it.
SIT is surcharged," said he, with
tergiversatlon and untruth. No one
l. s..An
wi h The history of the country and the
Republican party for the past twenty
years can fail to admit as much ON his
first reading of it. The two points l
make are:
First. That the claim of the Re-
publicans to have put down the rebel
lion is lie.
"Second. That the claim of the Re-
publicans to nave resumed specie pay
ments, lessened taxes and relieved the
people from financial burdens generally.
Is lie.
.'There is no other ward except 'Ie,
added M. McLane, who spoke with
equal humor and emphasis, "that can
really express the truth in this connec-
tion."
"You put the Democrats on apar with
the Republicans III the North during the
WARP"
Mr.. McLane had by this time risen to
his full height, and with right arm up
lifted in an attitude which forbade his
interlocutor to quit his seat, lowered
above him.
'"Fhe claim of either of the two great
political parties to have put down the
rebellion would be absurd. The rebel
lion was subdued by tine masses of the
Northern people. BIT when we come to
examine the facts 1t il found, indeed II
H.. Al.
of those masses we're of Democratic pol-
ties Not only that. Look at the prln-
cipal Union officers OF the war We're
they Republicans? Grant, Sherman,
Halleck, Mcclellan, Meade, Hancock,
Sedgwlck, Sickels, these are only few
names of pronounced Democrats at the
outset who led the Union armies. Gen.
Sherman told me that the only vote he
ever cast III his lie for President was
cast for James Buchanan. But then we
won't publish that on hlm, said Mr. Nc
Lane, suddenly, fearDg to have reveal
ed a private communication.
"The generals vote was made public
long ago" said the writer, "he desCrib-
ed it on railroad tram in the West last
summer.
"Very well See, then, how fatty
slapped in the face Is the assumption of
the Republicans at Chicago to have sup
piled all-literally all-the sinews of the
North during the civil war"
"And what" resumed Mr.. McLane,
"have the Republican party done, either
during the war, Or since the war, to re-
lePSe the people from the financial bur-
den which IL imposed? Nothing. A b.
soIutely nothing. They created paper
money in the first place; they have done
nothing TO retire that paper money since.
AT u time when that party held all the
reins of government law was passed foi
the resumption of fspecie pay mt nts on the
1st of January, 1879. The growing pros.
perity of the country, eliminating al
that period, enabled specie pay ments to
be practically, really Resumed. Instead
OF real resumption there was iraudu-
lent one. The law II clgde1 no provision
for the retirement OF greenbacks ON the
bne contrary the law, as IL exists tO-pay,
expressly requires the reissue of green.
backs, leaving the Secretary Of the
Treasury no option. In fact, the so-cal eu
resumption of specie payments involveu
possible initiation OF The currency
amounting to $50 900 ,000."
"And that lutiauu II may occur, subject
only to the discretion of the Secretary
In any unforeseen exigehcyW
''What law is there TO prevent il? Thai
l0op-hole, that large discretion, or rather
that mandate of a Reuubcan Congress
which forhids the retirement of the very
paper currency which the resumption ol
specie payments was popularly supposed
TO aim at Iiddlng US OF, prevents The ria
dance altogether. Presto and all the tbs
sue may be aioat again"
In conclusion Mr.. McLane said: 9TH
only relief which the people have recely
ed since the war has been Fl on the Deu
ocrats. The only measures IN connecuo
with the funding ofthe debt and rIecreas
OF taxation which amounted 10 practice
value have originated with Democrat
Congress in the face of Republican a,
ministration. The statements Of the X,
publican platform at Chicago, whic
would make IL appe'r to the mass of VI
ters that the Republican party Is respoI
sihle for the removal of even the afeatl
er's weight of their load, makes that pla
form dishonorabe false hood"