The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-09-26

,wapty.six hundred millions Of dollars and
more The value of all the property in the
United States ~ estimated in lrG0, by the
collector Of statistics, amounted 10 $4,000
100000. Since then we have had four years
Of war. II three years Of peace would sup
ply the ravages Of property which four years
of war made, then to-day the property Of the
United States, according to the official cen
sus, amounts to little more than $4,000
100000
The amount of debt as compared with the
amount Of property Is OnesiGth. The bur
den Of taxation which rests upon the PEG
of the United States to-day amounts to
more than lG per cent upon all the
value Of all the property owned by every
human being in the United States. And yet
while your debt is thus, while your taxation
is thus, we find that One.hith Of all the
property in the country is represented by this
capital in bonds, that capital which works
for its idle masters from the first day OF
January TO the last day Of December, by
night aud bv day, through winter and sum
mer, storm and sunshine, which is not sub
iect to the Ills of the bones, and muscles,
and bodies Of men that capital, say, gem
tlemen. which clothes its owner though he
tolls not nor SPINS like Solomon in all bis
glory, is exempt from taxation. That ought
not 10 last believe it cannot last. say
to the bOndhoder that he ought to be
prompt and wse-pr0mpt to understand
what his interest is; wise to adopt 1t, for
Just as sure ~ there are passions in the hu.
man heart Just AS sure rs your bosoms are
l.. l.,
don't say it by way of threat il no
threat when you see the clouds gather, to
say that there will be a storm, or when you
see the sun rise in the east to say that it will
set in the vest say this, gentlemen, by
way Of solemn warning, that this capital
which they have thus invested will be made
to pay the same rate Of taxation as all other
property, or there will be trouble. APP
plause do believe that the interests of
the taxpayers and the bondholde: are, As
Gov Seymour SAYS not antagonistic, but
identical. ! believe that capital should be
subjected to fair rate Of taxation.
"Thc fact is overlooked that in order to
make any saving by giving the bondholder
debased and worthless paper, we must
bring ourselves disaster and dishonor, which
will cost hundred fold what we can save
DO believe that2 OF course do. Does
not the editor Of the Leader believe it2 at
means we are to give to the laborer for his
toll, base currency; it means that the hon.
or Of our country shall be stained that our
business shall be kept in uncertainty and
confusion; it means that the laboriug man
shall suffer by the increased cost ofthe com
forts Of life; it means that the taxpayer
shall be burdenod by a government proved
to be corrupt and imbecile by the very de.
probation Of its money. We cannot afford
to speculate upon the nations honor ut so
fearful price. There is great gain in thig
plan as upheld by Messrs Butler and Ste
vcns. They not only propose to pay in do.
preclated paper, but they are doing what
they can to dishon0r the character and credit
of the country. If they carry out their cor
rupt, revolutionary schemes they will pay of
the debt with paper which IS not worth ten
cents or the dollar
DO ] believe that? That is what the re.
| publican party is bringing US to every day.
! Applause. believe it Yes. believe
| that { this extravaganza, tins waste this cor.
! raptiOn and utter disregard for honesty is TO
| prevail over the government, the debt itself
either will never be paid at all, or else be
paid in paper such as Gov. Seymour de.
scribes, which is not worth ten cents on the
dollar.
"There is no democrat living who thinks
that this can be done with safety, or that it
is to the interest Of the taxpayer at the cast
or west" Do believe that? Uudoubted
ly do. Every democrat demands poll
{ "a
So far MS he gains that, he lifts up the ma
tional credit, be helps the taxpayer, and
does justice to the bondholder' DO | be
lieve that? Of course do. "He makes
our csrrsncy as good as sterling coin, for
that viii rise With the public debt
DO believe tha'? Yes, gentlemen, do
and believe that Horatio Seymour will not
be president of the United States for two
wears until we shall have been relieved of
this burden OF public Indebtedness, and that
the legalteEder notes will rise and rise I'm.
til they will have become at par value. Ap.
plause. The error ia IN snppOslng that
under Il democratic administration the cur
rcucy would stand fixed at a discount of %
per cent To say that is to say that we are
to fail as orr opponents have failed. The
unless the nations credit is dshon0red. If
we come into power there will be no discount
on our currency, no speculation in paying
our bonds in paper. thank God that the
faith which We hold as one man, seeks to
level up, not to level down, but means that
the sterling coin shall again ring on the
counters of tradesmen, and glitter in the
palm Of the laborer, and gladden. the heart
of the poor wounded soldier. Our friends
forget the force of their own argument.
When they show how the debt will be paid
and taxation lightened by economy, they
also show how our paper money will be
made rs good as gold 1t is the faith in
which we all believe, but we don't believe,
neither Gov Seymour nor any other demo.
crat know Of, that greenback3 are good
enough to nay wounded soldiers, while they
are not good enough for the bondholer.
THE downward course Of men in power
admits Of tratficking in the honor of the
country
God knows they have done it long enough.
"Thev can sink it to the point that the
payment Of the debt will be an easy matter.
but will be at the cost of the honor. the
peace and welfare of our land. While there
fore, we may differ as to the construction of
the contract with the public creditor,we must
not coutound the position Of those who think
it right to pay in paper, but who battle to
make that paper as good as gold, with the
position Of those who mean not only to nav
the paper but who are also destroying the
value Of that paper, That is Reputation.
We are not trying to give paper to the bond
holders, but gold and silver to the people"
| believe every word Of that. | would
make that paper as valuable as coin. Who
IS 1t that is seeking to draw distinction be.
tween coin and piper money? When those
bulls were pad out you were obliged to re