Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1868-08-13

cal friend and foe to the witness stand in
support of my declaration, that whenever
and wherever Gen. Grant has been able to
control governmental expenditure, ccono-
my, integrity, fidelity, and rigid rctrench-
ment and reduction have been the unvary-
Ing. result. Consider further, Mr.. Chair.
man, that while the Republican party has
been providing the means for these expcn-
ditures, they have been at the same time
cffecting immense reductions in the public
debt and continually aud largely reducing
taxation. Within the three years that
have elapsed since the war closed and the
Army was mustered out, we have reduced
the public debt between two and three
hundred million dollars, and at each ses-
sion of Congress, while this reduction of
the debt was going on, we have taken off
millions upon millions of taxation from
the productive industry of the nation. At
the first session of the XXXlXth Congress,
the first that convened after the close of
the war, taxes were removed that had the
preceding year yielded a revenue of SGO,-
OOO, ,OOO and ut the second session of the
same Congress $4l 100000 more of taxes
were promptly repealed. The XLth Con
gress has not been behind the XXXIXth
in this respect, for we have already re-
pealed taxes that last year gave us a reyen-
ue Of SOC, 100000. And to-day the taxes
of the Federal Government are so wisely
adjusted, and collected from such few
sources that no man feels them burden
some, oppressive, or exacting. Dcma-
gogues may miSrcpresent and partisans
may assail, but the people know and feel
that to-day the taxes levied by the Federal
Government are not an oppression TO the
individual and not hinderancc to the de-
vclopment Of the industrial resources of
the land. The history of the Republican
party, Mr.. Chirman, is indeed proud re-
cord. lnheriting bankrupt treasury, a
dishopored credit, and gigantic rebellion
from the traitorous Administration which
preceded their advent to power in 1861,
the Republicans heroically and success
fully grappled with and conquered all
these obstacles to the life and progress of
the nation. They replenished the Treasu
ry; they redeemed our credit; they subdu-
ed the nightiest Rebellion that ever con-
fronted civil power since governments
were Instituted among men; they struck
the shackles from 100000 Of human !
beings, and gave them every civil right un-
der the Constitution and laws. And while |
accomplishing these berculean tasks, the
Republican party administered the Govern |
ment so wisely that prosperity has been
all the time abroad in the land; great bust |
ness enterprises have been undertaken and |
successfully prosecuted; factories have
been built; tho forest subdued; farms |
brought under cultivation; nsvigable riv-
ers improved. thousands Of miles Of rail !
way constructed; the continent spanned by |
telegraph wires; tbc two oceans well nigh |
connected by road Of iron; the emigrant
tories carved out Of the wilderness do |
main; and new States of promise and pow
or added TO the National Union. What |
ether party In the history Of this country
ever confronted such difficulties. What |
other party ever gained such victories?
But, great as It's achievements have been,
lis work is not yet finished. Out Of the
fierce conflicts ofihe recent past, conflicts
indeed are still raging; order and harmony,
cancellation and friendship, are yet to be
evoked; not, indeed, by unwise concession
and timid compromise, but by that firm
policy which is based or Right, and under |
the leadership of one who, so terribly in
earnest in war, is yet to-day the embodi
ment Of peace, the conscrvator Of public |
justice. the hope Of the loyal millions.