The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1880-12-24
DEMOCRATIC POLICY.
TBoston Post. /

/ A very intelligent and observing
Democrat writes us, in substance, that
what is most needful is definite and
square-edged policy. We doubt not
the same conviction has forced itself
on many minds, and the want of it is
the main cause of our late defeat. No
party can succeed on negations. Mere
opposition is factiousness. Unless we
have something better to offer than
that, the people can hardly be expect
ed to honor the Democratic party with
its confidence.
What, then, should be the policy /?
As respects the foreign field, one of
the most important objective points to
be aimed at is the opening up of new
markets for our surplus products. This
appeals directly to every important in
dustry, and is obviously so true as to
need no elaboration. Agriculture,
commerce, manufactures, capital and
labor all combine to concentrate the
public eye on this point.
On the currency question, the Demo-
Gratis must adhere to their old idea of
being a hard money party, and con-
tinue to resist constantly and stead
lastly the notion that anything but
real money, coin, shall be recognized
as legal tender for payment of private
debts. This is fundamental. But in
providing coin regard must be had to
the fact that this is silver producing
country, and that the amount required
to maintain specie payments has
grown to beNso large that 1t seems in
dispensable and in the line of Provi-
dence to use this metal in conjunction
with gold. In doing that the silver
dollar, to be an honest one, should be
made and kept as nearly equal in
value to that OF gold as the nature of
the case admits. The present condi-
ton is unsound in theory, and in the
end will work mischief. Demo-
Gratis should see this and lead off in
favor of such equalization. AS re-
spects the national banks there is no
special occasion now for framing an
issue, as the system is yet in full vogue
and cannot be disturbed until the ex-
piration of present charters or near
that. The theory of obliterating bank
notes entirely and substituting in their
place greenbaks is already covered
substantially by denial of their legal
tender quality, and is unworthy to be
revived.
Taxes should be reduced, and can be,
without depicting the national reve-
nue.. For instance, the tax on cotton
machinery, which bears with special
weight on new manufacturing indus
try, is now prohibitory instead of pro-
tective, and should be reduced so as to
favor new enterprise, especially at the
South and West. This would be OBJ
jected to by other localities already
having the field, but TALES well with
the first specifications as regards ex-
tending our markets. The tax on the
manufacture of beer, which has be-
come almost national drink, might
well be dispensed with. That on
whiskey should be largely reduced.
The same is true of tobacco, at least to
some extent. The reasons for this we
stop not now to discuss
AS respects the tariff, the Democratic
party should still adhere to the gene
raj principle of revenue for its object,
leaving protection as an incident, and
go for such a revision as to approxi-
mate liberal ideas and foster the spirit
of national brotherhood:
These are few f.hand suggestions
which come to the surface, and might
well be extended to further details.
But underneath all and controlling all,
the Democratic party must adhere to
its old doctrine of strict construction
of the Fedora and State Constitu-
tons and its devotion to local and
popular rights, or it might as well
abandon the field and go into Iiquida-
ton.