Year: 1879




Hendricks's present visit to Washington is
made with view to consolidating his
strength as Presidential candidate His
idea is said to be to secure union of the
East and the West on financial platform
which shall prove mutually satisfactory tc
both sections, but thus far he has met with
more difficulty than he anticipated. He
finds the Eastern politicians thoroughly
committed to what was known in the last
campaign as the 'hard money doctrine, -
while the West is not yet prepared to accept
it, and will refuse to do so until the success
of resumption is thoroughly established.
Yet the two sections are more nearly united
on this subject than ever before, and before
the year shall have closed, it is probable that
there will be no material difference in the
views held.


On the financial question it is very appar-
ent that each section will have to make mu-
tual concessions if the party hopes to pre-
sent united front in the campaign of 1880.
1t cannot be denied that the resumption of
specie payments has rendered change of
policy necessary. While many men looked
with apprehension upon the experiment., and
feared that it would result in great hardship,
none now wish to throw any distractions in
the way of its success, for they know that
failure would prove disastrous to our indus
try and injurious to our credit abroad A
true patriotism dictates that resumption be
accepted as verify, and that every citizen do
what he can to make it successful and per-
manent. But in order to do so in good faith
it is not necessary, as some seem to think, to
discredit the government paper currency.
There should exist no difference whatever
between gold and greenbacks, for currency
that is issued by the government ought to
be received by the government and
by all citizens who have faith
IN its permanency at full par
value. We have no sympathy with those
who, for the purpose of reconciling differ
ences of opinion, suggest that the legal ten
der quality be taken from the greenback.
10 do so would be to dishonor the govern.
ment which issues it. The true policy would
seem to be to recognize no difference between
greenbacks, gold and silver. Each should
be received at their full value for all dues
including customs duties and interest on the
public debt, and each should be interchange
able with the other at the option of the
holder. Only by such system can we hope
for stability in our financial system.


AS for the national bank notes, we care
not whether they are honored by the people
or not. The system is radically wrong and
the sooner it is abolished the better il
will be for the credit of the country and the
stability of our financial system. The ques.
ton of the abolition of the ma
tlonal bank system need be the onl,
financial issue of the next campaign
for all other questions ought to be settled
and probably will be settled, before the close
of the present session of Congress. Their,
will be other issues for the parties to quarre
over-there Is never lack of them-befor{
the campaign commences. These will claim
attention. We must inaugurate some system
of internal improvements which shall bt
equitable alike to all sections of the country
We must put stop to the lavish expendi.
lures of the government by reorganizing tn,
| civil service. We must provide means BY
| which it shall be forever hereafter impossi
BILE for any man not properly elected tx
usurp the Office of chief magistrate of tn,
nation. We must reorganize our tariff anc
internal revenue systems so that, while re
turning sufficient money for the legitimat,
expenses of the government, they shall be tn,
least burdensome to the people. These an6
other topics will command the attention o.
the people in 1880, and it would be we'll fo1
Presidential aspirants to be paying some at
tention to their consideration while they give
| the financial question rest.