The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-08

should get this rront apply TO the payment OF
the oeb or To lessellng the burdens OF taxation
Yet he doubts II TINS ep can be reInediea, as tue
national banks y ssess nuien power, and a. two
thirds OF the menhers 81 Congress probably, are n-
terested, directly or indirectly. IN these banking In
sil,uilons
sooner or later the ex-President apprehcnds
great financial crisis as the resu OF excessive I'M
p0rlations and the extravagance Of the people,
winch drains not only the Specie from the country,
but wgeh causes AZ Well our bonds to be sent abroad
- 9tes. .'',.ties 80 pay ,or .n.se '..r9rt.srons.
Thts stale 0! things VIII keee Tue peoile OF the
United states iap0ray ami their noses TO tho grind
stone for the benefit OF foreign capitalists. When
ever crisis cones bonds Will be sent back from
Europe and cause great trouble TO the government
and country.
Ia referring to the depressed condition and decline
OF American shipping and shipping interests Mr..
Fillmore thinks the duties on snip0udng materials
should be removed or greatly nodded This would
set shipyards az work and Increase our mercan-
tile marine Nor should our merchants be prevent
ed, under the present circumstances from building
or buying ships abroad. The great Thing now Is TO
revive our mercantile marine and to increase our
tonnage 80 ,ns to ,o a.. 5000 share Is
trade, which is now monopolized by England and
other countries. For TINS purpose the regis ry laws
ought TO be repealed. While on tins subject. and the
subject OF protection In general, he remarked that
his vlews had somewhat changed, or rather tbat the
changed circumstances Of the country required
been protectonist, and had, in 1872, as chairman
Of the Committee Of Ways aud Meas Of Congress.
reported the Tariff bill which was then passed. and
whcn was protective In its character. But since
that time the manufactures of the county had been
lut on good footing. were able to stana alone with
such Incidental protection as government necessity
ana Convenient home markets would afford, and
there ougnt longer to be restrictions upon trade
and tax upon the whole community for Tie BENEFIT
OF q few. England has nodded her policy IN this
respect and Is the part oil state nansniD 70 adapt
measures to sui the varying circumstances OF the
times. Hence Mr.. Fillmore, who was once a pro-
tectlonIst now ravors free trade.
On The question OF Cuba and the action OF the gov
eminent Mr.. Fillmore is conservative While ad-
mittinp that the condition thing, (,lba and th
regard to the struggle there for indepen ence dif
terent from the fibnstering move neat during his
ADMINISTRATION when ne mad 10 enforce tile neutrality
Jaws against General Quiman and Others, yet he
says tile administration oil General Grant has only one
course or duly to pursue and tnat is e. execute the
laws We may sympatlllze with the Cubans aud de-
sire the acquisition Of cuba buC great nation
should act honornby IN performing its Obligations
to friendly Powers. fhisi5 sound Ia principle, un-
donotedly but al great nations STRAIN point IN
such cases on the side OF their own interests or or
popular feeling. Indeed, when mportanG national
interests are involved and particularly wlen there
IS question OF national expan 'On or increase Of
power. all great Powers act upon the principle OF
Alter nearly two hours conversation ON these
TOPICS aud finding had occupied the time Of the
eX-Presldent up to his dinner nour.tyo o'cockl
apOiogzed and lett. WINE acknowledge his ana
bity ana courtesy 10 me personally must confess
that his anxiety 10 be at ease and to nave no trouble
about pubic AFFAIRS or In the discussion OF tae,n did
not look like elevated patri tisul. To wrap ones self
up IN reserve and dignity or to study only ones own
does not, IN the case OF former distinguished
public functOnary, Ike Mr. Fillmore SAVIOR OF that
exalted patriotism which would lead a man to de
for his country But IL Is not 80 With him Alone
Most OF our retired public men OF distinction, and
many who are still IA public life, seen 10 dread
the publication OF their views or expressions through
the press. This is Selfish nnpatrotc and mistake.
Every man should do what he can for the good OF
his country, even though he may su1er annoyance
by 1t, and especially those who have enjoyed the
highest honors OF pubic life, and wause experience
should give value to their opinions. Let US know
what the prominent men OF the country think, tor in
these abnormal and revolutionary times We need all
the wisdom that can be found.