Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-08-13
Justice to the Adminfstration-Wha n
Has Done.

mas D0ues
; a correspondent of the New York Times
wen refutes the charges of imbecility, in
stability anf. inefhciency against the na-
tlonal administration and shows how much
IL mas accomplished, and how lutte it de-
serves the cens0re heaped upon it. He
says
Thirty months ago this Administration
came into power under the provisions of
the Consutullon oy minority vore. in
the face of widespread, organized rebel
lion, and also, in the midst of trescherv
its head being waylaid on the road to his
inauguration, and forced to protect his life
from the snares of assassins. The Admin.
istration had neither an army, navy. nor
treasury. Its few soldiers were widely
scattered In our remote territories, largely
under command of rebel officers. Its few
vessels of war were treacherously dis
persed on the high seas from Italy to the
Japan isles. The treasury was empty.
with hundred millions of debt, ten and
twelve per cent. interest having been very
recently paid by the preceding Admins
tration for loans to save the public credit.
The rebellion soon took the Confederate
form in eleven States, and held four more,
Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland and Della
ware, with the Dis riot of Columbia itself
in doubt which side to take, whether with
the rebellion, or with the Union.
Such, in brief, was the state of the Re.
public when the present Administration
came into power. Now see what this
Administration have done.
~ 81 i II
States in the Union. They hold and con-
troll the relations of five States of the Con-
federacy-Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee,
Mississippi and Florida. They have also
powerful armies in all the remaining
rebel States, and possess strong fortresses
in Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro-
lima and Georgia. Such are some of the
triumphs of the Administration armies,
already secured.
Instead of the shadow of a navv, the
Administration have bought, built, manned
and equipped a fleet of five hundred yes
sells OF war, and are preparing many more,
to maintain the national honor against all
enemies, looking first to the defense of
our own harbors and coasts, and after
ward TO the protection of our commerce
on the high seas.
Instead OF an empty treasury and fallen
credit, the Administration have an i'm
mense amount of money. at at average of
less than four per cent. interest, and bor-
row all they want at six per cent, with
receipts in gold through the customs to
pay twice the amount of the annual inter-
est, and revenue from internal taxes,
cheerfully paid, sufficient annually to dis
charge many millions of the principal
For our Home Department, all the great
interests of the country, except commerce
are in very fiourishing state. The pro
ducts of agriculture, manufactures, mines,
railroads and canals, were never before
so large and hourishing. And for our
Foreign Department, the rights, interests,
and honor of our country have in no peri
cd of our history been more ably sustain
ed than by our present Secretary Of State.
1t is not fair, it is not honest, to charge
the Administration with imbecility. Com
ing into power thirty months ago empty
handed, with so much already accom-
plished, we have a right to expect in
twenty months to come, with the means
at present in hand, they will acquire for
themselves and for our country reputa-
ton the very reverse of that which rebels
and rebel sympathizers, at home and
abroad, iraustriously labor to fasten Oh
them. The National Administration is
honest, interchangeable, and very successful,
judged by its fruits. 1t deserves and may
shortly need, the support of every lover
of freedom, to defend our Republican in
situations against the direct assault of
monarchists, nnder the lead of the imperi-
al Louis Napoleon.