The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-08-12

the way policy Of the present Administra-
t:ou. Il has displayed the same wisdom
Rnd foresight in regard to this as in re-
gard to is financial policy, For some
reason or ether, var upon Utah was
deemed eEpedient. 1t was necessary to
chastisc the Mormons for Brigham Young's
iQsoleRt and insane rawlings. The war
Fss comWenced; the Army, at an immense
expense Of suffering, was marched thou
sands Of miles through the wilderness; /;
Inillions of dollars had been expended IN
recruiting and provisioning it fer the
campaign aud when after months OF toll
in crossing tde mountains, forcing its way
through valleys Qbstrrcted by snow; and
ia struggles with an inhGspltable climate,
It had at length arrived within striking
distance of the enemy, peace commission
ers were dispatched in haste to oyertake
and stop its advance, and to negotiate with
the Mormons for peace.
It has been usua;, especially in modern
times, to exhaust diplomacy before resort
iag to arms, Bqt this old, time-honored
wise, and Christian policy, was reversed
b. our Democratic President, He de-
clares war first, and treats afterwards
lie mustered his battalons; marched them
- an Immense expense Of money and suf
fering into the enemy's country and when
they had arrived, and every mail from the
West promised tidings Of the commence
mcnt eff hostilities, the President betho't
himself that it was time TO check the ad
vance of the Army. and send commission
ers to treat with the enemy. Would it
not have been wiser and more conforma-
pie to the usages Of civilized nations, to
have sent commissioners to inquire into
and report upon the Mormon outrages,
before sending an army into their country?
By doing so, lie would have saved millions
to the Treasury, which the policy Of his
party has rendered almost bankrupt. But
though the Treasury and the country
might have proftted BY pursuing this
course, the Kansas iniquity might not
have been so easily or safely accomplished,
had it not been for the war. The con
tracts and appointments incident to this
Mormon war was strong levers to force
refractory Partisans back into the ranks
Of the party from which they had been
frightened by the Kansas enQrmity. Ep-
aulets for sons Or nephcws, contracts for
brothers or other relations, are wonderfully
potent in inducing those who have fater-
ed for moment, to return to the stand
ards from which they have deserted
Scruples of conscience are appeascd
alarmed and startled honor is satisfied; and
the partisan goes back to his ranks, bend
ing under the patronage purchased by
subserviency, and the ignominy due to
his desertion of principle.
am not prepared to say that any one,
here or elsewhere, has been influenced By
puoh considerations. Bat it would be
nothing new in the history Of human na-
ture, to find out hereafter, that appoint
ments to Office and contracts for supplies
had more or less to do ID the consumma-
ton OF the Kansas Swindle. But what
eyer may be tho opinions entertained re-
speoting the wisdom OF the Presidents ;
war policy, It's novelty Will be universally
conceded. Hitherto nations have sent
ambassadors to treat, IN order to Prc"ent
war but our President has made war in
order to have az opportunity to send en-
bassadors to treat; and | have no doubt
that it will soon be the boast OF the Dem
Qcratic party that the President has been
s;gpal!y successful in his management Of
the Mormon war, and especially in the
restoration Of peace, which it appears had
never been disturbed, except by the bois-
ferrous defamation of oYer-ardent donna
gogues.
But this is not the only ground Of boast
In which the party may rightfulIy indulge,
Less than two years since, the then Ad-
pinistration was almost at its wits end to
discover means to deplete the national
Treasury. Debts due long time hence
were brought Up at large premiums, in
order to prevent the accumulation of an
undue and injurious amount of money in
the Treasury. And Notwithstanding all
its efforts, Mr. Guthrie left the Treasury
. little more than than fifteen months ago
With 2 surplus on hand of the amount L
have before stated. Mr.. Cobb took his
place, and straightway what Mr.. Guthrie
had labored for in vain was achieved, and
more than achieved. Under the manage
ment of Mr.. Buchanans Secretary of the
Treasury, the incouyenient surplus was
soon disposed CT.
The first step in Mr., Cobb's financial policy
was to get rid of the surplus left on hand b.
his predecessor. In this he succeeded. He
not only emptled the Treasury, but things have
been SO managed by him and his party friends
that he has not been able again 10 FIJI it, but
was compelled, as the House knows and the
country knows, to resort to the issue of Treas
ury notes Here, too, we have had sample
Of the wisdom and consistency of the Admin
4 - don tim lalld q