The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-25
POLITICAL HEREDITY.

The stubbornness with which the domi-
nant wing of the Democratic party clings
to the 16-to-1 issue illustrates the influence
of political heredity. Physicians and biolo-
gsts know how strong this force is in
ture, transmitting physical. mental and
moral characteristics from parent to OFF,
spring, generation after generation, in spite
Of all efforts to change their course or edu-
cate them out Of existence. In some of its
marked characteristics the Democratic par
ty Is clearly a victim of political heredity.
1t can no more get rid of it's vicious tenden-
cies than the Ethiopian can change his skin
or the leopard its spots. 1t seems to be ma
lures favorite medium for the transmits
sion of mischievous doctrines. They are
in it's blood, and cannot be educated out. if
they disappear for few years it is only to
sleep and break out again, somewhat
changed in form, perhaps, but essentially
the same. For the last third of a century it
has found the wrong side on every phase of
the financial question as unerringly
water finds it's level and has assumed its
wrong stand with the cheerful alacrity that
indicates obedience to law of nature. It's
record in this regard is constantly wrong
and tremendously vicious. Beginning with
opposition to national paper currency in
general and TO greenbacks in particular. it
has by turns advocated their unlimited is
sue, opposed their redemption in specie and
denounced every measure intended to give
them permanent value. When an issue of
greenbacks was necessary to the preserva-
ton of the government the Democratic
party denounced them as unconstitutional,
but when they became an incubus on gov
eminent finances and menace TO the pub
lie credit it demanded an unlimited in
crease in their volume. When expansion of
the currency was necessary it opposed ex
pansion, and when contraction became nee
essary it opposed contraction 1t opposed
the resumption of specie payments until it
was an accomplished fact and then did all in
its power TO prevent the government from
maintaining 1t. At different times it has
opposed the issue OF bonds, advocated their
payment in greenbacks. and. when silver
became deprecated, in silver. 1t has ia
vored scaling down the national debt and
given open or covert support to every at
tack on the national credit. II the free
coinage OF silver at 16 TO 1 were calculated
to improve the government finances and
strengthen the national credit the dominant
wing OF the Democratic party would be
opposing instead OF favoring 1t. Three
years ago IL sold out TO the Populists. as 1t
did many years ago to the Greenbackers.
and joined in demand that the volume Of
circulating medium be speedily increased
TO an amount sufficient TO meet the de-
mands of the business and population and
TO restore the just level Of prices and la
bor." Now. when there is a plethora OF
currency. when money is cheaper than ever
before. when prosperity is universal and
business of all kinds booming, the grand
old Democratic party is preparing To re-
iterate its declaration of 1886. that I'VE are
unalterably opposed TO monometallism (the
gold standard). which has locked fast the
prosperity of an Industrial people in the
paralysis OF hard times"
This long record OF Democratic Vicious