The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-10-27

! but if we have no debts TO pay in
dearer currency than that in which they
Were contracted, we shall have little to
fear from any crisis that may occur.
WISE LEGISLATION NECESSARY.
But, while / feel anxious about the
present imitation, and it's effects upon
the business and moralsof the country,
am hopeful that, by wise legislation,
! we shall escape a financial collapse, and
am confident that grand future is
before the United States. I am hopeful
that the currency may he brought up
to the specie standard without those f.
nancial troubles which have in all coun-
tries followed prOtracted and expensive
wars. BY the experience of the past
four years, weare led to the conclusion
that our people have a latent power
that always manifeSts itself when re-
quired, and il equal to any emergency
| have faith, sir, that as We have, TO the
astonishment Of the world, raised inn
mensearmies, larger, ! apprehend, than
any single nation ever brought into the
field, and met the enormous expenses
of the war without borrowing from
other nations, we shall also be able,
without a financial crisis, to fund our
surplus currency and interest-bearing
notes, bring back the business to a spe-
Gle standard, and place the credit of the
country on the most stable and salts
factory basis. If we do this, we shall
accomplish what the sOundest thinkers
in Europe have considered an imposSt-
bility, and what no other people but
the free and enterprising people Of the
United States, occupying the grandest
country in the world, could accomplish.
But should be disappointed in these
hGpeful expectations; should no early
check be put upon the issues Of paper
money; should prices still further ad-
vance, and speculation be still further
stimulated and the result thereof be
extensive bankruptcy, depression, and
hard times, the grand destiny of this
country and this government viii not
be affected. The United States occupy
the best portion of the temperate zone
of a continent, stretching out its arms
to Europe on the one side, and Asia on
the other, and producing alI articles ne,
cossary for the subsistence and comfort
Of the race. If cotton be king, he is,
thank God, enthrDned again; if bread
be king, where should his capital be
but in this great valley Of the Missis-
sippi? This nation has within itselfev-
erything that is needed to make it the
greatest among the family Of nations.
Coal and iron in jUytaposition and mex
haustible supply. Mountains and.va
leys rich enough in gold and silver to
furnish the world, for all time, with
what may be needed for circulation and
other uses. Copper and lead and other
minerals in no less abundance. A soil
of wonderful fertility, a climate salu-
brious and diversified, and, above all,
republicaninstitutions, andan energetic
and again united people.
CAPITAL AND LABOR ~ THE SOUTH.
We have, it is true, sir, difficult ques-
tions growing out of the war yet to be
settled, but have an abiding confidence
that they will be settled rs they como
up for settlement, in such manner as
will strengthen the Union, and add to
our national renoWn. The labor ques-
ton at the South is one Of those ques-
tions, but if there be no outside inter
ference, it will not, apprehend, be a
very difficult one; on the contrary, 1t
is quite likely to bca self-adiusting one.
The planter needs the labor Of his form
er slaves, and the high price which
Southern products Will command for
years to come will enable him 10 pay
literally for it. The colored people will
soon learn that freedom from slavery
does not mean freedom from work
The interests Of the two races viii not
long be antagonistic. The whites will
need the labor of the blacks and the
blacks will need employment. There
IS as much danger to be apprehended
from the unwillingness of the latter to
labor for q support as from an indispo-
sition Oh the part of the former to pay
fair wages. Like all other economical
questions, it will be settled by the me-
cessities and interest Of the parties
Fortunately for the solution of this
question, and the well-being of laboring
men generally, capital is not supreme
in the United States. It does not, as
in most other countries, hold labor un-
der its control, and dole out to 1t lust
such remuneration only as Will make
it most productive. Labor is power
inthiS free country, with its cheaplands,
which are within the reach of all indus
trious men, and dictates terms to capi<
tai. There is no part Of theworld where
labor is more needed than in the South
ern States, nor where ii will soon com
mand better prices. This labor ques-
ton at the South will, doubt not, be
arranged in due time, for
he best interests of all concerned. But
have tneSpassed too long upon your
lime. Accept, again, my thanks for
sour courtesy, and for the attention YOU
nave given to nv dpSult0rv remarks.