Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-08-19
wApH HAMproN,s SPECIE.


An effort has been made by the Demo-
cratic managers to discredit the report of
Wade Hampton's Stanton speech, but the
only result is to bring the fact that he was
faithfully reported more prominently into
view. The New York Tribune has pro-
cured the Shorthand report of the speech,
and though Hampton pruned another
version of it for Democratic use at the
North, he does not deny that he employed
the language attributed to him. This is
the speech in which he told the Virginians
that they were fighting for the principles
OF Lee and jackson ; q statement which,
however true it might be, has had very
awkward effect at the North, where the DEM
ocrats wish it to be thought that the war is
over. This incident shows that the pres
ent policy of the Democracy, namely to be
all things to all men, is attended with some
serious drawbacks. Having no distinctive
principles which are not Southern, the
Nolshern Democrats have determined to
take Advantage of local circumstances
everywhere, and to affiliate with any and
every q ism" that promises support. This
might have proved successful before the
use of the telegraph, but now it is impossi-
bic to prevent damaging comparisons be-
tween Democratic professions in different
parts of the country. Wade Hampton was
no doubt talking to the Virginians, and he
made a speech suitable to his latitude.
but he failed to reflect that his speech
would be read at the North also, and the
result of this forgetfulness is that he has
exposed his party in very disastrous
manner The fact that he is regarded
as conservative of course gives increased
significance to his language. He has not
been one of the tire-eaters, and yet he
tells the Southern people deliberately that
they are contending for the principles of
Lee and jackson, and that the election OF
the Democratic ticket is the way to win at
the polls what they failed to secure in the
field. While such language is being en-
ployed on the stump down South and is
being promptly telegraphed North, it will
be useless for Northern speakers and writ
ers to take an opposite tone. And this is
the dilemma of the Democrats all through
the country. They are exposed to con-
slant comparisons of their u.terances, and
the result is that their policy of expediency
only makes clear their want of convictions.
They are greenback here, hard money
there free trade here, protectionist there /;
unreconstructed here, loyal there /; and I'M
fortunately for them all these phases OF
their Protean campaign are being brought
together and exhibited to the people, as
proofs OF their real dishonesty. 1t is not
pleasant situation for them, but we don't
see how they can escape from it. To do
so they would have to become sincere and
honest, and that is as much as to say that
they would have to abandon their party.
Doubtless, therefore, they viii continue to
play their various and ingenious parts as
heretofore, AMI trust to public carelessness
for getting out of the scrape somehow.
Thinking men, however, must perceive that
the only real earnestness on the Demo
cratic side is to be found in such speeches
as that of Wade Hampton, while such
speeches prove conclusively that it would
be madness to trust the party that harbors
such pu, poses with the control of the Gov
eminent.