The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-15
AN ARRANT DEMAGOGUE.

Hon. Tom L. Johnson, of Ohio, pos
sesses in very large degree that sort Of
cunning that sometimes passes for frank
ness. His large, benevolent physiog
nomy can come as near facing in two di-
lighting up both sides of given ques-
ton as is possible to be done. A monop-
olist Of high degree, no person denounces
monopolies more vigorously. When re-
minded that he is himself a monopolist,
a creature of patents, the beneficiary of
protection and the very flower and fruit
age Of what he calls "class legislation"
he laughingly admits the fact and says
he is tout for the stuff His smile is so
pervasive that when he confesses that he
is a practical monopolist and always
expects to be as long as monopolies exist
and afford opportunities to make money.
people who hear him are almost con-
of circumstances. and that If it would
only put an end to monopolies he would
willingly sell all that he has and give
the money to the poor.
In his speech at the Jefferson banquet
in New York Mr.. Johnson made strong
and earnest plea for revival of Jeffer-
sonian Democracy-that is. the plea was
strong in words and as earnest as his
pleas usually are. 1t was full of lamen-
tations for the lost opportunities of the
Democratic party, Of sad regrets for
what might have been. and of hopeful
suggestions as to the way out of the
wilderness. but in it all there was an
undertone of insincerity. It's predomi-
nant note was a pandering to Populism.
Mr.. Johnson talked about the money
power that Jefferson feared" yet Jeffer-
son, after he had buried himself hope
lessly in debt by improvidence and lack
Of business capacity did not hesitate to
accept a gift of $4,000 from the moneyed
men Of New York, $1,000 from those of
Philadelphia and $1,000 from those of
Baltimore. During much of his life
Jefferson feared the sheriff more than
he did the money power, or, If he feared
the latter, 1t was like Mr.. Johnson, for
other people, not for himself. Still pan
dering to Populism, Mr. Johnson depre.
ening standing armies and standing
navies, and building forts around our
cities to insure the protection of special
privileges against the old enemy they
fear-the people" This Is tne talk of a
capitalist who, feeling sure that he can
take care of himself. is willing to incite
the mob against other people, and es-
tell
professed apostle of Jeffersonian Democ-
racy ever misrepresented Jefferson's
views and principles more completely
than Mr.. johnson did. On the money
question he said: 1T is the proper func-
ton of government to issue money
sense and Jeffersonian doctrine" AS a
matter of fact, Jefferson was an un-
swerving advocate of specie and an un-
relenting enemy Of paper money. In a
letter written In 1913 he said:
1t is litigated question whether the cir
culation of paper rather than of specie, is a
good or an evil. In the opinion of England
and of English writers il is good; and, ex-
cepting England and her copyist, the United
States. there Is not nation existing, i be-
lieve. which tolerates a paper circulation.
The experiment is going on, however, des-
perately In England pretty boldly with us.
and at the end of the chapter we shall see
which opinion experience approves: For /
believe II TO be one of those cases where mer-
camille clamor will bear down reason until
ii is corrected by ruin.
In this letter he argued at length
against paper currency, and concluded
by declaring that 1.-THE trifiing economy
of paper as a cheaper medium or its
convenience for transmission weighs
nothing in opposition to the advantages
of the precious metals. 1t is liable to be
abused. has been, is and forever will be
abused in every country in which it is
permitted Yet Mr.. Johnson quotes
Jefferson in support of government pa
per currency, What is almost as bad,
he quotes Jefferson as an opponent of
protection. and. worst of all. intimates
that he favored the Henry George theory
of a single land tax. Mr.. Johnson has
shown that he is one Of the worst dema-
gogues in the country. and the more
dangerous because he is a millionaire.