Year: 1876

was that the coored people believed that II the
Democratic party should gain power they, as race
would become slaves again."


THE SOUTH AND THE NATIONAL cRKp1T'


Referring to the "solid South" on which the Dem
ocrots base their homes of success Mr. Wheeler said
that he did not know of one thing on which the
Sontb is united on which the North is also united,
and on which the welfare of the nation depends
On the other hand, the South is unit on every
thing that opposes and hinders the progress OF the
nation. This remark led to discussion of the effect
of Democratic the financial prosperity OF
the country. ct is not in accordance with human
nature, said Mr. Wheeler, that the South should be
Jealous of tine public credit and it is not Our ma
tional debt is the pnce of its subjugation and tins is
fact that they cannot forget. Then the South is
Door: the destruction of capital there was very
great and the recovery is necessarily slow. lhey
desire pecuniary assistance and II they
cannot obtain payment for the property thcy
lost they want large sGms of money spent
in the Southern States for internal improvements.
They want the United States to improve their rivers
and harbors 10 build levecs their river banks ana
canals to furnish them with cheaper transportation
to market for their products. They also want ald IN
building railroads and as they know that thcS"
things cannot be brought about except through an
increase in the volume of currency, 1t is natural
that they should be Infatonists, as they are. FOR
these reasons believe that Democratic success VIII
throw us into financial chaos Ivy unsctling what has
already been settled; it will disturb oar credit
abroad greatly increasing pccunary buldens'
and retarding the payment of our public debt' ana
finally it will hinder our return to specie payments
by causing to be undone what has already been ac-
complished in that direction"


These were the most interesting points of long
and earnest conversation, which from beginning 10
end was entirely free from bitterness or any partisan
spirit Although | have known Mr.. Wheeler IN
Washington alnos; frcm lis first entry INTO Con-
grcss and have carefully watched his course IN rea
tion 10 all the great questions which have come be-
fore that body and especially while he was discharg-
ing his delicate and difficult duties Of member OF
the Louisiana Committee, and while have al
WAYS regarded him as one of the broadcSt
and wsest Of American statesmen OF to-day,
| have never been so deeply impressed
with the depth aad earncStneSs Of his devotion -
the great principles which have been the glcrj Of
the Republican party in its best days. Personally
he has less interest in the result Of the election than
he felt in his youthful days when he was cand'-
date for some petty town Office. The acceptance oi
the nomination involved personal sacrifices Had u
not been rendered to him there probably other
honors in store for him which American pollt, ianS
prize higher than the Nicc-PTeslency aud which
are more directly in the line Of political promotion
But he accepted the position assigned him by the
Cincinnati Convention. believing II TO be lns duty
20 do so and hc has the strongest faith in R"puh-
can success not only IN this State but IN the nation


z. /. ".