Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-09-21
TRADE AND TARIFF.
COL, BEN WILSON IN THE EIGHTH
WARD.
A Large Audience and a Fine Speech
Col. fontaine Smith at Dallas
General Political Notes.

Iol. fONldlne SHilUI dl OaHdS
General Political Notes.
After several days OF pure fair wealth
er, the sky Yesterday afternoon clouded
over and the rain fell very fast for a
short time. This was exceedingly
NORTH, ing to the Democrats OF the
South Side, as last night was the time
fixed for the Colonel Wilson meeting at
the Lower End. 1t was thought an in,
door meeting would be necessary, and
this was very ~aggravating. as no :a!l
would hold the crowd that desired 10
hear Colonel Wilson. But at D O'Clock
the silver lining began 10 appear on the
clouds, and before setting, the sun sent
out crimson shafts to dlsperse the
storm. The Dafiled cloud-legions drew
of their forces end the sky cleared
bright and beautiful.
- the meeting was held according 10
arrangement The stand used was the
one ilom which Judge Lang spoke, ten
days ayo, and it was surrounded by q
crowd which was extremely large and
highly complimentary TO the gallant
Colonel. 1t was 4 pleasant crowd TO at
dress, too, intelligent and appreciatlve,
quick to notice a good point and gener-
Gus in applauding it. ,,
The meeting came to order at oociCck'
at the request OF Col. j. William wait,
who at once introduced the speaker
Col. Ben began by complimentine the
larre audience, which certainly deserv-
ed his euconium. II was 4 sample,
he said. of the anxiety displayed by the
people all over the country TO near Il
discussion Of the live issues OF the day.
And il argued well, too, for when the
masses were TO be guided by reason, the
treat Democratic party had everything
70 hope for. After pursuing this topic
for a short time, the Colonel turned his
attention to a query propounded by an
unknown correspondent:
What caused the panic OF 1873 ana
the subsequent hard times, and VIVA
caused the present prosperity?
The first part OF the question could
be easily answered. 1t was Republican
legislation on the finance. In the spring
of 1878 we had good times. There was
plenty OF money in circulation, business
WIS active, crops were good
and commanding good prices, the peo-
pie were prosperous, well-fed aud hap
by. But in SIX months after this came
the panic that depressed every branch
on business and caused more woe, sOr
row and suffering, under q Republican
administration, than this country ever
hal. The cause was Republican iiDan.
cial legislation, and the speaker could
slv this without fear OF contradiction
aud i'm all kindness and candOr. lii the
early legislation, alter the war, three
series OF bonds were issued: the o-2oS,
7-3DS and 10 i0s. The first named the
government had the right to pay IN
greenbacks. But the Republican party
made them payable in coin. One 81
the first acts to which President Grant
all Xcd his signature, was an act, So
called, to strengthen the public credit
bv paving the bonds In com. Senator
Thurman declared that this robbed the
people OF five hundred millions OF dol
lars, by making the bonds worth that
much more than when they were issGed.
Tie solemnlv protested against the pass
no, of the act, but the Republicans
were in power and passed the act. thus
Vas the first act OF the Crisis. Inc
!uuding act he passed with a mention.
In 1875, the God OF nature came tothe
rescue. Ont in the West the immense
silver fields were disclosed and this
precious metal was rapidly becoming
abundant. The public credit act de-
clared tho bonds to be payable in coin
and here was the silver with which 1t
might be done. But no! The Repub.
lean party in Congress again stepped
IN and passed an act demonetlz!ng sill
yer. They declared it to be not the coin
that was wanted. At this time the
times were good, but then the contrac-
ton began and with it the distress.
la 1875 the resumption act was passed.
Ii provided for the payment in gold, on
January LIST, 1879, Of all debts contra ted
prior 10 that time. 1t contained the
wonderful and unheard OF provision
that all the greenback dollars taken into
the treasury for gold, should be Cancelled
and destroyed. Thus the currency w's
continually shortened. In 1876, the
people, sitting in judgment, came to the
conclusion that this legislation was ar
wise and injudiCious. The one su-
primo power is the people and that
power is exercised through the bal
~; box. The people removed the
Republicans from power, changing the
House from a Republican majority OF
sixty to q Democratic majority oil sew
entv.
Now, why have we better times to-
dav? The legislation OF the Democratic
patty, under Providence, has brought
th.m about. In the first place, they
declared that the Secretary OF the
Treasury should not destroy another
grycnback dollar. They found that a
greater volume oil currency was requlr-
eel Tor the wants OF the country. Then
they forced and coerced the Republican
party into the measure Of the remoneti-
alton oil silver, and made tia legal ten
der for AL debts, private and public.
An effort was made by New York Re-
publican bankers to choke off silver by
discriminating against it, but Congress
declared that any bank that did this,
4hould be punished by a withdrawal OF
It's circulation and a virtual forfeiture OF
is charter. And now the silver dollar
IS increasing in popularity every day.
Another act Of the Democratic Con-
grcss was to provide for the issue oil
bullion certificates. Gold or silver bars
m;sn; be deposited and an equal amount
oil gold or silver certificates issued Iorthe
payment of which the faith OF the gov
eminent was pledged. This species
OF money was continually growing in
favor.
Providence has also aided largely in
restoring good times. The country had
been blessed with good crops; rain had
fallen in due season, while the countries
over the water had suffered from
drought. Our grain had found a ready
market, oyer there, at good prices, aud
large sums of money had crossed to us
hy the balance OF trade in our favor.
These causes have pro iuced the pros.
rcrity OF to-day.
Having thus fully answered the first
question in the manner only indicated
6v the leading points given above, Col.
Wilson turned his attention to the Sec
ond question, which was in relation to
a tariff and his position on it. He said
. charge had been made that he was
high tariff in one place and free trade in
another. And Hutchinson had said he
stood on a free trade platform and must
he a free trader. He had answered this