Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1868-01-24

u tie very lace oi tIfts uHlue5JfUIteu
ability, we are met by the fact that no
civilized nation pays SO high premiums
upon its loans as ours. 8a boa 0hf
Where are we to look for the grounds
of this humiliation In part perhaps,
to the sophistries which have heen pro-
mulgated for evading the spirit OF our
delay In the resumption OF specie pay
mept. tsss8. g s lss,, aa &c.
Disclaiming to represent the opinions
of others, would urge the authorita-
tive announcement of come definite
time when such resumption shall take
place. Let the time be fixed wltl, the
idea that the earliest possible moment
will best secure healthful condition
of our finances. / am forced 10 the
conclusion that such a policy would
tend 10 realize in our circulation the
perfect currency, in which notes could
be exchanged for coin and would conn
mand equal respect In the market.
Meanwhile the public service should
be distinguished for the most rigid
econ6nfy. The increase of money has
deluded us with tile creation OF appd.
rent wealth, and in the train of this de-
lusion have followed extrayagance and
lavish expenditure. Let US then re-
frain from every outlay which actual
wealth alone could justify. Economy
will promote the public credit, better
than the ripest theory. Retrenchment
Is the evidence of an honest purpose to
meet our obligations.
Faith in the Intention of tile Govern
ment TO preserve both the form and
spirit of its contracts iiiviolate Ia the
only Foundation for our financial pros
perity. Beware of the earliest steps
tending TO weaken or impair 1t.
The downfall of the rebellion did not
terminate the danger arising from the
action of tho Southern people.
When the appeal 70 arms was ended,
the task Of craftsmanship began, and
an experience of two years has demon
strated that 1t Is q work quite as full of
difficulty as that which we crowned
with success upon the field Let US
not forget that we have merely ascend
ed TO another scene in the struggle. ne
has passed from the battle. field to the
forum, but IL is the same combat,
waged for the same purpose, and AMI
mated by tile same ambition. The
spirit Of the rebellion Is still alive and
! strong; strong in the influence of its
controlling minds; strong In the devo.
1 tion aud numbers Of It's followers !;
strong in the social distinctions which
gave II birth. The hope that forbear-
ance and healthful reflection would
soon baptize its votaries into LOYALTY
and love for the national flag has been
disappointed.
In tile light Of this fact our govern
ment has devised plan Of reconstruc-
ton, establishing temporary military
| government in the South To reniiiii
until its people shall ask for admission
to the councils of the nation upon the
basis of equal rights and political
In this rolits I heartily concur.
/ Power undoubted aud plenary Is in our
hands to prescribe the terms of festo-
ration. When it Is urged then, that
tile application of military law TO the
refractory people of the South Is des.
Il potic, IL Is forgotten that an appeal tn
arms involves a compliance with its
bloody decision. They who, with long
years Of intrigue, bogstfully and arro-
gartiy challenged the nation to tie
sanguinary field, empowered Us To
work our will upon them, restrained
only by our duties as statesmen and
christian meu. To deny this principle,
severe though IL be, would be TO deny
the correctness of both history and rea.
son. TO declare TINT It's adoption I'm
the present iIIstafice ID impoiite aud
untruth upon every report thnt reaches
US from that misguided people, and
brand with falsehood the utterances OF
tried lovers of our Republic. No Gov
eminent can secure respect at home oI
abroad, which does not protect its citi-
zens.
i The magnanimity ofthe American
Republic Nj dealing with TREASON is un-
PARALLEL i'm history. It's spirit was de.
ciared In the words of its noblest mar.
tyr, "Malice toward none; charity for
lall." Indemnity for the past has been
forgotten in the task of erecting guar
antees for the future. Content with
establishing barriers against probable
danger busted with the work of con-
pacting and solidifying the principles
revealed by the war, the sword of the
law has been withheld from its deserv.
ing sacrifices, and the sacred altar oil
Justics will probably not be stained
will the blood Of d single victim. To
what extent this may have been dues
tionable leniency, / will not presume
to say. How far the legal and tradi.
tionary puDishnient for treason should
have been extended, patriotic men may
well haze differed Ia determining.
That some fetribution should have been
visited upon the wicked chiefs, a pun
Iishment sufficient to ifave made .trea.
son odiuus," aud 10 have stood rs
warning monument of the danger oI
like unhallowed ambition, I have no
hesitation 20 declare.
II Deprecating the arrogance of victory
ne have accepted our responsibilities
i With no desire TO be vindictive or ex.
acting. The conscidufhess that the
Southern States were part of our own
territory, and their Inhabitants part
of our people, whose well-being must
contribute to the. future glory OF our
country, has beeti the light in which
the work of reconstruction has thus fan
progressed. Atthe same time, we have
felt bound to Insist that those States
should eoncede whatever guarantees are
essential to the future safety of the
Uuion. We cannot permit the truths
established by the war to relapse into O
state of doubt, nor the fruits OF victory
to be swallowed up i'm magnanimity
which negiects Its own salvation. We
can afford to be generous, but we must
not be unjust.
In restoring the Southern people to
their rights within the Union. let NO
Decentralization be made towards tile
black man. Fidelity to the Govern
ment should be passport to the high
privilege Of suffrage. 'rhe public well.
fare must not be iinperiled oy entrust.
ling its control to hands Of doubtful
loyalty, much less to halds whose open
hostility has only been avoided by their
weak ness, III any voice comes from
the tomb 0f THE past six years, IL pro
clatfffs. BeUave Of placing dou6ffu,
gudrdidns oper the palladium Of yo,H
liberties jStcurc the safcfy or the nor.
crnnent beyond q doubt. Let all Iona.
men share IN the heritage sehich has
4 been purchased ,Dith ioynt blood.
The caprice Of men fresh from their
carnival of treason must not be allow.
ed to deprive as Of the co-operation ol
| four millions of people whose votes
and acts would ifiterp0se the most for.
\ midable Obstacle To the designs OF sedi.