Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-02-19
A sound FINANCIAL Record.

members who wish to avoid those ques-
tions, it should be fully understood that
they therein represent personal and
private interest, and not that of party
1t is true that there are members who
feel particularly anxious, whenever any
measure of financial character is pend
ing, because they believe that the Green
back party still has great strength, to
help or to hurt, in their districts. In
some cases. they may be-right; in many
more, they are undoubtedly mistaken
The Greenback force has dwindled won
derfully. The condition of business has
worked against it; the temper of the
people has been adverse; and especially,
the evidence of close alliance between
the Greenback leaders and the Bourbon
Democrats in Maine and elsewhere, and
the participation OF Greenback partisans
in the infamous attempt to rob the peo-
pie in Maine, have gone far to disgust
former Republicans with that faction
At the last election its vote was small
in comparison with its vote at the elec-
tions preceding, and the events which
have since occurred have undoubtedly
diminished very materially the slender
strength which the Greenback party
could then command. Republicans who
were drawn into association with the
Greenbaek party have become ashamed
of their new leaders, their wild predic-
tions and fallacious promises. their af-
filiation with the most dangerous and
disloyal elements, and their participa-
ton in the most dishonest and revolu-
tionary schemes. It seems safe to say
that, if new elections should be held to-
day, the vote of the Greenbaek party
would hardly appear except among the
scattering.
In some districts, nevertheless, Re-
publicans are timid. They fear that fa-
natical and revolutionary notions may
still sway many votes as in times
past. They do not dare to vote ON any
financial question, because of the sup
posed influence of false ideas among
their constituents. The position of these
members is not ereditable to the Repub-
lican panty. 1t constantly Injuries that
party in the very Eastern States upon
which the next election win turn.
Without wrongful intention, often and
perhaps uneonsciously, these men are
doing what they can to defeat the party
| of their choide, or are deliberately sac.
rificing its chances of National success
for the sake of their private advantage
For the party as whole has great rea-
son to be proud of its position and re-
tcord ON financial questions. -Ft has every
reason to court free and full discussion
on such issues. Victory surely will re-
ward it, if the party adheres firmly and
manfully to the honorable course which
its pledges and its past acts have mark
ed out for it.
When Democratic members refuse to
vote upon wild and reckless PROPOSE
ton such as that of Mr.. Weaver, of
Iowa, their hesitation can be understood.
They have behind them party which
is full of hostility to the public credit,
which is noted for its strange ignorance
of the conditions upon which industrial
and financial prosperity rests, and which
leans very strongly toward the most
1 dangerous and destructive notions of
the Communists. Democratic leaders,
with few exceptions, have labored for
years to promote these false notions
among the people, and they have had
much success among those who natural
ly listen to them with respect and atten-
tion. To aid them in this course they
have had the bitter and yindictive feel.
irgs of Those who sympathized with the
rebellion for the public creditor repre-.
that spirit of faith in the Union which
destroyed the rebellion. Democrats have
some excuse, therefore, when they waste
the public time and money in contriving
week after week, to evade any direct
vote on financial questions. They do
not dare to appeal to their Democratic
constituents as hearty and uncompro-
missing defenders of the public faith,
and they know, too, that the party as a
| whole would be profoundly distrusted by
all hard-money men if it should pretend
to take that position. 1t would be fatal
to Democrats in the repudiating regions
of the South and West to commit them
selves unreservedly to sound financial
policy, for they would affront great
proportion of their supporters there, and
yet would not remove that distrust
which the course of the party for many
years has produced in the minds of
those who care for honest money and
public faith.
But the Republican members of Con-
gress ought to leave monopoly of
dodging, on all financial issues, to the
Democrats. Every strong debate
on these questions helps the Republican
party. 1t gains in every State when ii
meets such questions bravely. II
strengthens itself in the confidence OF
substantial, conservative. property-own
ing, intelligent and loyal citizens
throughout the country, whenever il
manfully joins issue with those who de.
mand soft money, or conspire for the
overthrow Of the public credit-[N. Y
, Tribune.
"IF."
He stood twirling his hat in his hant
! in the hallway. 1t was about time fol
the morning stars to begin their sons
t0pether