The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-07-14
Mr.. Boutwell,. where's Your Policy Z

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What has become Of Secretary Boutwell,
andrhisf financial policya But a few weeks
ago the papers were full Of reports of the
manner in which he was reducing the ma
tional debt. Hardly telegram came from
Washington or New York that did not
chronicle some monetary movement of Sec
rotary boutwell,. Now it is all changed,
and the name of BOUTWELL, is never heard,
nor are there any accounts of the sale of
gold or the buying in of bonds. What is
| the reason of this sudden change? Why
has Mr.. BOUTWELL, abandoned policy
| which promised SO we'll and of whose eff
cacy and merit he was so firmly convinced 2
This question cannot but occur to the minds
of those who remember Mr.. BoUTwELL's
sturdy defence OF his financial plans, and
his determination to adhere to his own
views despite all opposition, and in disre-
gard of all advice, and he must expect that
some reasons for his sudden surrender will
be demanded.
Many of the leading journals of the
country were convinced of the correctness
of Mr.. BoUTwEILs policy and warmly de-
Tended it against the attacks of the Wall
Street "gold ring" Thus he had no chance
to say that he was not supported In the
policy he adopted, or that it did not meet
the approval of the country. pa
Why, then, has he thus quickly departed
from that line of conduct which he assured
the world would alone benefit the country
and place its finances upon a safe basis
If he believes, as he has so frequently
asserted, that the policy which he SO
successfully inaugurated is the only one
that will solve our financial problem and
enable the country to return to specie pay
ments, then it his duty to continue to act as
he began 9.5fa5 q i'H. a1.
The people do not understand these sud-
den transitions in the policy of the Secretary
of the Treasury, and their suspicious are
aroused. They are aware of the unceasing
opposition which the Wall street gold
ring" has offered to the sale of gold and
purchase of bonds. They are aware that
the 'gold ring" has for seven long years
profted by the necessities of the nation, and
has rejoiced while the people have mourned.
They are aware that the interests of the
gold ring" ale in direct antagonism with
the interests of the people. They, are aware
that any yielding to the demands of Wall
street by the Secretary of the Treasury must |
be a sacrifice of the interests of the nation. |
Of these facts Mr. boutwell, also must be
aware. If he really believes that the policy |
which he has so strcnuously defended and
advocated is the best that can be adopted,
the most calculated to benefit the ma
ton and to soonest relieve the people from
the heavy taxes which they now bear, he
has no right to abandon that policy. 1t is
his duty to adopt such measures as will, in
his judgment, most conduce to the welfare
of the people.
If he fails to do this, and yields to the
demands of the men who have tattened
upon the miseries of the people. he proves
false to his oath as public servant, and I'M
mindful of his duty as an American citizen.
1t is-to be hoped that Mr.. boutwell, has
not been influenced by Wall Street in his
abandonment of his self-instituted policy,
yet as the matter now stands, appearances
are certainly against him. .s., II
Let Mr.. BOUTWELL, inform the people as
to the facts of the case that they may judge
whether he has done his whole duty. If he
mas obtained SO much new Information of
ate as to force him to acknowledge that his
previous financial conclusions were all
wrong, it is but just that the public should
hare in this suddenly acquired wisdom, that
t may receive the benefits of portion of
hat intellectual light which now illumines
he mind of Mr.. Boutwell,. We hope that
dr. boutwell, will perceive the justice of
hese remarks, and explain why he has so
uddenly adopted the views of Wall Street.
be cannot do SO we hope that he will per-
ieve the propriety of continuing, or even in
reasing the amount of, his purchase of bonds
nd not have any more long breaks in
'ollcy, which, to develope good results,
hould be steadily pursued.