The Sun.
London, England, 1870-01-20 00:00:00

GENERAL SUMMARY OP THE' REPORT.

In support of his recommendations Mr. Wells brings
forward many strong arguments and much evidence, some
of which we have already quoted. What he says of the
strange effect of the high tariff on wool is most important.
He shows conclusively that the wool-growers and wool-
manufacturers have been the greatest losers by their tariff
of 1867, when they got exorbitant protection, and argues
that they will be benefited by the admission of wool free of
duty. In general it may be said that the author of this admi-
rable report shows, with plenty of figures to back him up,
that the country, though now rich and fast gaining in
wealth, is sadly hampered in its progress by three or four
things—a redundant and irredeemable currency, an ex-
exorbitant rate of internal taxation, an excessive importa-
tion of foreign goods, and unequal and generally too one-
rous burdens in the shape of import duties. Ho regards
these matters as first claiming the attention of Congress,
and would have our currency contracted and our taxes cut
down, before we take any further steps towards diminish-
ing the debt or resuming specie payments. In these par-
ticulars he goes much farther than the PreAdent in his
message, and on a different line of argument from that
pursued by the Secretary of the Treasury. The report is
'a mine of information, and in many of its pages a model of
concise and convincing reasoning.

Secretary Boutwell delivered his promised lewure
at Boston iu the Music Ilall on the transition p3riod of
the United States. The life of the nation was divided
into decades, of which that now closing would prove the
most important. It was at first supposed that slavery
would die out, therefore it was not denounced but tole-
rated. Its destruction in a free country was inevitable ; and
when the contest came the wealthy few in the
South had the control of the Government, while
the North, by its free industry and enterprise, had
developed its industrial resources. Therefore the North
was rich in material, but the South was not ; and had it to
rely on its own resources only the war would not have out-
lasted two and a half years. The result was the destruc-
tion of slavery and the adoption of amendments to the
Constitution, making all citizens equal. The lecturer de-
livered a eulogy on Mr. Stanton ; and he spoke of Mr. Pea-
body and the good effected by the schools he had opened
in the South. The revolution of 1775 left a sub-
ject! class, the last revolution elevated all. Granting
the loss of commerce, the creation of the debt, and a bur-
densome system of taxation created during the decade,
there was still a large balance to the credit of the nation,
and the final liquidation of the debt was not remote if the
country remained at peace, as he thought it would. EA
emphatically contradicted the assertion that Americans,
as a nation, were grasping anxious for an extension
of territory. The United States take nothing, as do other
nations, by force of arms, but by force of ideas. England's
American Colonies are yet to accept the American idea,
which has conquered the worst and set up the bettor.
"The disbandment of her armies when the war ended
was an important proof of her stability, as was their as-
sembling when it first begun, and the world will soon
learn that a Government by the people for the people is
far preferable than a Government of the people against
their wishes."
Fifty million envelopes are sold annually, and stamped
with the crest and address from upwards of 35,000 steel dies, at
Parkins and Gotto's, who make no charge for stamping or cement-
ing, and, having only one price, undertake to supply the nobility
and gentry with every description of writing paper and envelopes
of the best and most fashionable kind, at extra,ordinarity low
charges. Monograms, crest, or address dies cut at less than half
price. Coloured stamping reduced from 2s. to ls. per 100. Arms,
monograms, and crests emblazoned. 60 stampers, die sinkers,
and engravers being kept upon the premises,
all orders are exe
cuted with great despatch. Dance programmes, invitations, at
home notes, MSS. books, return thanks, bordered and overland
papers, dish, dessert, and bouquet papers, and every description
of fancy and household stationery. Parkins and Gotto, manu •
OCtlgil4 atetipaers, 24 and 25, Oxfurcl-straet, W,