The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-19
PURE DEMOCRACY.


Two years ago, by the concurrence of sew
eral elements of success in 'fof years" the
Democratic party shot forward and obtained
a large majority in Congress and took possess
ion of several States that are ordinarily Re-
publican. Under the flush of these seeming
triumphs the late Chicago convention was
held. A study of its proceedings shows that
the animus of the Democratic party of a
quarter of century ago yet remains, and that
all the heresies that were condemned by the
people in 1860 and at every presidential
election since, yet abide in full force.
It was proper enough that so prominent a
man as Hon. r. B. Hubbard, of Texas,
should be chosen as temporary chairman.
But Mr.. Hubbard had not been properly in
structed as to the tint that Democracy in the
North is expected to wear He had lived so
long in State that always gives 100000 ma
jority for the ticket and could give twice. hati
necessary, and he had so long reveled in the
pure article as it is known in Texas and the
South, and he had so confdingly taken the
immense majority of Governor Cleveland of
New York, and the unanimity of the South to
be pledge of the absolute surrender of every
thing to the restored Democratic party, that,
in his speech, on taking the chair, he an
nounced the programme of the party in SEN
fences like these:
''The occasion would not justify me nor de-
mand that should attempt to speak TO you Of
its great history and its distinctive principles
through two-t thirds of the most glorious history
of our country
Distinctive principles" is good, seeing that
at the close of that glorious history" the
credit of this government was so impaired
that money, in time of profound peace
could be borrowed to meet the ordinary wants
of that administration at no less than IL per
cent. interest; that at that date, and for more
than twenty years previous, there was not a
dollar of gold or silver in circulation, as cur
rency. There were gold and silver dollars
but they were commodities to be
bought and sold by the army of
brokers who fattened upon the profits
of the business The only currency
the people had was irredeemable bank-notes,
ranging in value, as measured by specie,
all the way from zero to ninety nine cents on
the dollar-the best Of the banks redeeming
their own notes in silver quarters, and always
charging a premium on gold. Distinctive
principles" is especially good in consideration
Of the further fact that during the last months
of that great history whole States armed
themselves against the government without a
word of protest. Mr. Hubbard continued:
~ can only say to you to-day, in brief, that
the Democratic party, in all it's elements, is
the same as it was when founded by the franz
ers Of the Constitution, nearly three-q quarters
of century ago"
This is an honest statement, under which
the entire North scringed. 1t is the policy of
Northern Democrats to assume the virtue Of
change of heart. Every intelligent man knows
there is no change, and Mr.. Hubbard, under
the mistaken notion that the Chicago conven-
ton was to inaugurate the Democratic party
in power, blurts out the truth: 1.-THE Demo
cratic party, in all its elements, is the same.
Yes and it always will be. Mr.. Hubbard
added:
"Fellow-D Democrats, we want reform, God
knows, not only in the personnel-in the men
as well as in the measures of the government
as it is"
We want reform" back to the days of bogus
banks and bankrupt treasury; to the days
of treason in the Cabinet, in the army and
the Vice-president while presiding over the
Senate, plotting to dissolve the Union-for in
all its elements the Democratic party of to-day
is identical with the party of 1860 and beyond.
When the people want to change from the
party that saved the Union to the party that
sought to destroy it; from the party that has
given us sound money and plenty of it to
party that gave us only shin plasters, they
will vote for return of the Democratic party
to power, and not before
LIZ the remarkable code of morality recently
promulgated by the once reputable New York
Evening Post does not bar that sheet from the
list of family n, ,apers,D the communica-
finua n xrbich ~ o,,o,,c sc oo1,,,,,,, ILL