American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-01-23
NUMBER


the students of that institution their first
and unavoidable obligations to The prip,
eiples upon which the government itself
reposes. The neglect of this Kind of
instruction was felt in almost every moye>
ment during theyrecent conflict: and II.
Is not going too far to say that many who
dlsregarded their oaths, aud Who dreu
their swords against the government TINT
nao educated and nourished them. found
meretric'ous consolation in tie fact
that they were permitted to cherish an
allegiance to the State in which thew
were born, which conaicted with and dc.
stroyed that love of country which should
De made supreme and above oil other
political obligations i.
1t, in our past and recent experience,
tie has been exhibited the valuable and
splendid achievements of volunteers in
'he national defence, there has also bsens
shown the necessity for miiit Try skill and
'hat knowledge of, and familiarity with,
the rules of discipline so essentially nee.
essary in their prompt and effectual otn>
ployment. In order, therefore, to make
our military system effective, we should
nave particular regard for the lesson,
that to prevent or repel danger. our State
should always have a well disciplined
force, prepared to act with promptness
and vigor on any emergency; nor should
we forget that it is impossible to tell how
soon our wallike energies may again kst
required in the field.
HOME RESOURCES AND HOME LABOR.
In nothing have our trials during this
war, and the resulting triumph to our,
arms, been so full of compensation. as in
the establishment of the proud fact thas.
we are not only able to defend ourselves
against assault, hut what il equal, i'm.
portant, to depend upon and Ire up NOR
' TO- az the tiihe tue TcDelllOn
was precipitated upon us the whole bu-.
sincss and trade of the nation vas par.
alyzed. Corn in the West was used for
fuel. and the producer was compelled 20
lose not only the interest upon his capi-
tai, but the capital he had invested. -.
Labor was in excess, and men were every
where searching for employment. Mills
and furnaces were abandoned. Domestic
intercourse was so trifing that the stocks
OF number Of the most important rail-
roads in the country fell to, and long re.
malned at, al average price Of less then,
fifty per cent. But the moment danger.
to the Union became iminent, and the
ne 'essity of selfreliance was plainly pres
sented as the only means of securing
protection, and the gradual disporsi m If
our mercantile marine by tho npprehenN
sion o. the armed vessels Of th,c" rebels,
the American people began to practice
upon the maxims of elfdefcuce and SELF
dependence. FROM having bcen;' IF net
absolutely impoverished and almost
without rcmunera:ive enterprise, dcpress.
ed BY unemployed labor aud idle cap.
ital, all their great material agencies
we're brought into motion with promp-
titade, and kept in operation with n ra.
pidity and regularity, which relieved
them from want, their country fromi
danger, and excited the amazemeut of
civilized nations. .a.,
Protection to the manufacturers of the
country. when rightly viewed, is merely
the defence Of labor against competition
from abroad. Thc..wages of labor in tho
United States is higher than those in any
other country, consequently our lab, rer,
are the more elevated. 1t is clearly.
therefore, the interest of the ration to
foster aud protect domestic industry, by
relieving from internal taxation every sort
of labor, and imposing such heavy duties
upon all importations of foreign manu-
factured articles, as to prevent the posi-
biIity of competition from alb Dad. Not
only should individual enterprise and in
dustry be thus encouraged, but oil pub
lie works, liberal and properly restrict
cd general railroad system, aud interpal
Improvements of every kind, receive the
fostering care ana most liberal aid Of the
government. We are rich N everything
necessary to mcot our wants, aud render
us independent of every other country.
and we have only to avail oursclyes @,
our own resources and capabilities, to
progress continually onward to a degree
of greatness never yet attained by euy
nation. Our agricultural, mineral and
manufae turing resources are unequalled.,
and it should be our constant study to
devise and prosecute means tending to
their highest Development.
Why, then, should not the wisdom of
government make available the teachings