Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-12-17
A PARALLEL.

On the advent of the Harrison administration
in 1910, an extra session of Congress was callec
without necessity and without reasonable apology
| The former Congress had made every needtul pro
vision tor the new administration, and for the sue
cessful carrying on of the government, and there
fore there was no use of an extra session of the
new Congress.
The new administration, however, having re-
solved to undo democratic measures, and overturr
the democratic policy speedily as possible called
an extra session of the new Congress, and it was
held
At that session report was sent in from the
Treasury Department, at the head of which was
Thomas Ewing, now Secretary of the interior
the main object of which was to show, by so.
phstcal and incorrect array of figures, that there
would he deficit in the treasury for the then cur
rent fiscal year, and that the government was
deeply in debt. That report was most ABLY crili-
cised and slfted by MIR. Woodbury. and other dem
ocratic Senators, and its sophisms and mis- state
ments thoroughly exposed and exploded. The
reputation OF the Secretary gained nothing from,
the scahing ordeal through which it Tassed and
his misrepresentation and false tables of facts
were turned back upon the administration which
he represented, with terrible effect
Vet the federal party, represented by the ad-
m'nstratlon, intent upon establishing its system,
y having the numerical power, carried it's schemes
through Congress. The additional appropri-
atoms were voted the expenditures of the govern
ment were increased taxation, in the form of high
duties, was resortsd to but the tariff, in conse-
qnence OF the prohibitiye rate OF duties which il
imposed, defeated itself, 'bankrupted the treasury
and loans were resorted to in order to supply its
necessities. The consequence was, the creation
off national debt exceeding twenty-six millions Of
dollars during the four years following the adven,
of the Harrison administration, and during a De-
riod of profound peace. Every intelligent Ameri-
can citizen remembers well the effect which this
policy had upon the business of the country and
the credit of the government. The first was en-
barrassed, and the latter greatly injured. So low
was the credit of the American government ra.
duced in consequence Of the adoption of the fedeg-
al SYSTEM Of policy, that its bonds were below par
and were actually hawked about in the money
markets of Europe for purchasers.
Now, we are upon the eve of similar expert
ment. The same spirit reigns in the cabinet. and
tho same genlns guides the helm. Thomas Ew-
ing is the ruling split of the administration. And
again the country is astonished by the sudden an
nouncement Of another deficit. 1t is not MIR. Ew
ing who presides oyer the Treasury Department.
1t is MIR. Meredith, man who has always been a
lawyer, and until recently never pretended to be q
statesman. He is the chancellor Of the excheouer
but it is Thomas Ewing's spirit that guides and
controls him. Hence the identity in principle
and character of the policy now announced, and
that which was adopted under the Harrison ad
ministration. Now, as then, we are TO have ad-
ditional appropriations and expenditures Now,
as then. the people are to be saddled with addition
al taxes, and an increase of the national debit
And now, as then, we n1ay expect report from
the Treasury Departmentfilled with errors, mis-
statements, and sophisms. And we trust that
now, as then, the Secretary will meet with bis
due deserts from Congress, and that he will have
his misrepresentation exposed, and his statesman
ship stripped gifts high pretentions, and shown
to be the mere quackery Of .demagogueism or the
errors of ignorance.
Then, the parallel between the two periods and
the two federal administrations of IS4l and 1910
will be complete astington Union