The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-06-16
Thomas A. Hendricks.


Why would not Gov. Hendricks be
a good Democratic candidate? He has
certainly done nothing to forfeit the
confidence Of his party since 1876, when
they elected him to the second Office
under the Constitution, with Presiden-
tial contingent. IN that canvass, he
passed through the ordeal unscathed.
Political opponents could find no vul-
nerable part TO assail with their enven-
omed shafts His record Is without a
flaw He Is 4 splendid model of a we'll
balanced statesman. He has never
done a foolish or unwise thing 1t is
always safe to follow where he leads.
lie represents a State that loves him as
a fond mother loves her soma State
which has entitled herself to the graft
tude Of the Democracy by having ad
hered To the good cause through the
trials OF the past from the beginning Of
down TO this hour And
it Is worthy Of remark that no caleula-
ton Of victory for the Democracy has
vet been made, which does not place
Indiana IN the Democratic column
She is never set down as doubtful even
She Is the ever faithful State; and
without obtrusiveness, she now comes
to the Democracy, and asks for the first
place on the ticket for her faithful son.
She points to him with pride; points to
his record and defes criticism. Why
Is he not available? To what cardinal
principle Of the Democratic creed is he
not committed He claims for the fed
eral government all the powers granted
by the Constitution for the execution Of.
the purposes of its creation; and for the
States the powers reserved, and not
prohibited by the Constitution, for the
purposes Of local selfgovernment. Log
ically he opposes the centralizing meas
ures of the Republican party, and its
policy in dealing with the
South. On the
CURRENCY QUESTION,
which VIII enter into the canvass, and
which ought to enter into it because
there are crying evils Of Republican leg
.sIation that the Democracy, the par
ty Of reform must correct, and therefore
they must force the fight. On this issue,
GOV. Hendricks is thoroughly en- rapport
with the true Democracy, the bone and
sinew ofthecountry. When asked, "are
you in favor Of the reconciliation of.
silver" his answer, was;
Certeinly. From reliable evidence on the /
subject the legislation dem0netiziug silver was /
most objectionable in its character The peo- /
lie were not consulted a ali. They had no /
ntimatiou that such a thing was being con- /
.emplaIed. IT. seems that most of the members Z
Of Congress had no knowledge Of what was 4
being done Because Of this, if for no other /
reason, silver money should be placed just /
where il was. Experience viii then = mons /
-rate To what extent depreciation of silver be- !
low gold has been owing 10 the fact that 1t /
was strippeS-of it's quality of money! quail /
~ of every importance TO It's value.
If experience shall establish the fact that I
there is q permanent and increasing differ /
ance between gold and silver, because of the /
production Of The latter, then Con- /
gress viii be charged with the important duty .
IF regulating the coinage and value of each. so I
As TO avoid the evils of double standard.
Silver has become an important product of
this country. and inasmuch as the world rec
1gnizes it as a money medium OF exchange, l /
;an not see why We should not utilize our large |
products OF that metal 10 the greatest extent .
hat may be found practicable. Its value as
money, 10 this country, is too great to be
thrown away.
Correspondent-Do you think the restora-
ion of silver would be a breach of the public
.ai;h?
By no means The law of 1859, the first &C.
signed by General Grant. pledged the faith .
nd honor OF the nation to the payment of the /
public debt IL coin. The silver dollar was /
hen part Of the coin of the. country, a hon /
pred in law and commerce as gold. Neither /
public faith nor private obligation can be i'm
paired To- u compliance with the contract, III [
Is letter and in It's spirit. To me II lsplaIn |
hat The public faith is made more secure be
such policies as enable the people the more
EASILY to NEE the country obligations. Sure
" to restore silver money will facilitate thy
discharge of every public obligation, and pro
note a return to specie poyment. \ prosper
1us condition of the country is the best guar
,nty Of the Observance of public faith,
What he thought of forced resump-
ion and contraction, favorite measures
IF the Republican party, and of the
methods by which treasury notes and
DIN should be equalized, will be seen in
he following extract from speech de
iyered hy him pending the election Of
1874 in his own State. 1t rings as clear
Is silver bell Listen:
The expression in reference to return 10
pecie payment is very general, but the real
question is when and how can that be accom-
,iishedt SO long as the supply of coin is so
mall as compared with the paper money, it is
impossible. The effort now would probably
'esult in commercial disaster. The people 50
believe. No sentiment attributed to Mr.. Gree
ey in 1872 was more hurtful to his political
ortunes than the demand fer immediate spe-
lie payments. To render it possible, without
lurt TO the country, coin and paper must come
learer together in quantity. They will then
le nearer, # not uniform in value. How
hall that be brought about2 By reducing the
PAPER currency With the present burthen
# national, State and local taxation, and the
arge volume OF other indebtedness 10 be pro
-ided for, that cannot be borne. 1t would ,
ramp business ana paraIyze labor. NO one
,esires return to specie payment more earn
stly than myself. for | believe gold and sill
-er are he real standard of values, universal
nd permanent As had occasion once be- {
ore to say, the existence of commercial me-
iums Of different valUes-one description of
aouey for one class and purpose, aad another ,
or different class and purpose-is too Sc
ious evil to be long endured. All the mon {
V of the country should be Of uniform value !
nd readily convertible. But we are not in
hat condition. Our paper money exceeds the
DIN by nearly five to one How will we bring
hem nearer together in quantity, that they
laV approach and meet in yaIue2 Shall we
ommence al the top and tear down, and build
p Business. enterprise and labor, every i'm
ortant interest Of the country, demand that
he volume of the currency be maintained to I
leet their requirements; but every interest !
Ill be strengthened by Increasing the supply
t coin. How is that to be accomplished? By G
an increased production of our ;
reat staples that command the foreign mar
ct by reducing our expenditures in foreign |
Ilrch ses and hH reversing the f.taI rnlic,- :