Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-02
SPEECH OF SENATOR FEsSENDEN AT
PORTLAND.

MS views on the currency Question, Nc.
very large meeting assembled in Portland,
Me-, on Monday night to welcome Senator
fessenden, and he was enthusiastically re-
ceived. He acknowledged the greeting He
had been reluctant TO accept the invitation 10
speak, fearing his voice might have lost Its in
nueneei but their hearty welcome had recon-
WINGED him. He contrasted the time with forty
years ago. when he first addressed them here.
and spoke OF the long term Of his service. He
had endeayored 10 do his duty. lApplause
Ii sometimes he had differed with his friends
or constituents, II Ilust be attributed to the
native obstinacy of his character. He having
formed an opinion was apt to stick to il. always
finding that the good sense and magnanirn,ty of
the people Will always uphold a man who does
nls duty 10 the best of his convictions. ZAP
plause. He alluded 10 the difficulties under
which the Republican party first assumed The
reIns OF government, and defended its course.
he wished to speak respectfully of the Demo-
eIate party; tney had spoken very respectfully
OF him OF late, for which he was very much
Obliged; but, speaking of changes, there was
one point in which he had never hanged a. all
and tnat was his opposition to the Democratic
He alluded 20 the heroic calmness with which
the Democrats bore our defeats uring the war;
but slavery was abolished, and, looking TO
coming generations, he f0resaw a glorious re-
suit, when We would be a homogeneous peo-
pie, and labor should be respected as the foun-
dauon upon which our Government rests. He
discussed the NATIONAL debt. and said the gen.
nemen who complained OF II acted Wi iLh those
who compelled Its contraction. II must be
pdlO IN the letter and spIrlt OF the contract. He
gave the history of the lean bills, saying en-
phatIcally no one dreamed of the payment of
the principal IN anything but gold. He would
sS what bad never before been mentioned in
public When be went into the Treasury De-
pariment, the day before he took il, a thirty
million loan was proposed by Mr.. Chase. 1t
was withdrawn, because II could Dot be float
ed He found a hundred millions Of requi-
Sitions due and hundred millions more COM
ing in within two or three months, with only
forty or ffry millions 10 meet il. He was forced
INFO the Treasury against his Will He went
sldered a confession OF want OF confidence III
the ability Of the Government TO go en-. He
was in the tightest place lac was ever in. ex-
cept when obliged 10 vote 10 acquit the Presi.
dent. He appealed 10 the people, and issued
seven-thIrties, redeemable IN paper, with the
privilege Of taking the bonds; and through bis
agents be promised ;he people that the princI-
pal should be pad in gold.
The credit OF great nation must be preser we'd
at all costs. Where should we borrow money
NJ the Democratic party succeeds and the pro-
pnecies OF Blair OF another war come true, If
we repudiste our promises! We can carry our
debt more easily than England Tor our re-
sources are greater. the only way Of dispos-
ing OF our debt is 10 pay IL The oniv states
manEke solution Of the problem Is labor and
uugality. He glored in the platform OF the
nven tlon which nominated Grant, when they
said the debt must be paid the spirit and let
ter, and foIgave them their endorsement OF the
thirty live Senator's who voted for con iction,
and considered that they thought thelr conduct
needed endorsement, while his did not Jap
the nauonal honor. II any one advises you 10
rspudlafe your promises, repudiate him,
whether he lives IN Ohio or Massachusetts, He
spoke at length upon reconstruction. He eu-
iOgfZed Grant as an able man of stern integrity.
The meeting broke up with hearty cheers for