The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-03-12
my best efforts for enforcement.


my best efforts for enforcement.
A great debt has been contracted in secur-
ing to us and our posterity the Union. The
payment of this principal and interest, as
well as return to the specie basis as soon
as it can be accomplished without material
detriment TO the debtor class or the country
at large, must be provided for. To protect
national honor every dollar 'of. Government
Indebtedness should be paid of in gold. un-
less otherwise expressly stipulated in the con-
tract
Let it be understood that no repudiator OF
one farthng of our public debt will be trust
ed in public places and twill go Tar towards
strengthening credit which ought to be the
best in the world and will ultimately enable
us TO replace the debt with bonds bearing
less interest than we now pay.
To this would be added faithful coliec-
tion of revenue, a strict accountability to
the Treasury for every dollar collected, and
the greatest practical retrenchmeut in expen-
ditures in every department OF the Govern
ment.
When we compare the paying capacity Of
the country now, with the ten States still III
poverty from the effects Of war, but soon to
emerge trust, into greater prosperity than
ever before, with its paying capacity twenty
five years ago, and calculate what 1t prooa-
bly, will be twenty-five years hence, who can
doubt the feasibility of paying every dollar
we now pay for useless expenditures?
WHY il looks as though Providence had
bestowed upon us strong box. The pre-
cious metals locked up in the sterile noun
tains of the far West, which we are now
forging the key to unlock, will meet the very
contingency now upon us. Ultimately IL
nav be necessary to increase the lucliltles
to reach their riches and it may be necessa-
rv also that the General Government should
give its aid to secure this access, but that
should only be when q dollar of obligation
to pay secures precisely the same sort OF dol
lar to use now, and not t'betore
While the question of specie payments IS
in allowance, the prudent business mau ls
careful about contracting debts payable IN
the distant future. The nation should iol-
low the same rule.
A PROSTATE commerce is to be rebuilt, ana
all industries encouraged The young men
of the country, those who from their age
must be its rulers twenty five years hence,
| have peculiar interest IN maintaining 'no
national honor.
| A moments reflection as to what will be
! our commanding influence among the nations
| of the earth in their day, if they are only
true to themselves, should inspire them with
| national pride. All divisions, geographical,
political and religious, can join in this COM
| mon sentiment.
How the public debt is to be paid or spe-
Gle payment resumed, is not so important as
that plan should be adopted and acquiesced
| in. A united determination to do, Is worth
more than divided counsels upon the methou
of doing. Legislation upon this SUBJECT
may not be necessary now, or even advisable
but it will be when the civil law is more
| r,,Il IN oil of the pOQutry, and
trade resumes its wonted channels.
1t will be my eudeavor to administer the
| laws in good fGith to collect the revenues
assessed, and to have them properly account
ed for and economically dsbursed. l will,
to the best of my ability appoint to Office
those only who will carry out this desiugn.
In regard to foreign policy would
deal with nations as equitable laws require
| individuals to deal with each other, and L
would protect the law abiding citizen, whcth-
er of native or foreign birth, wherever his
rights are jeopardized or the flag OF our coun-
try floats
I would respect the rights of all nations,
demanding equal respect for our own. IT
others depart from this rule in their dealing
with us, we may be compelled to follow their
precedent
The proper treatment of the original oc-
cupants of this land-the Iudians-is one
deserving of careful study. l will favor
any course toward them which tended to their
civilization, Christiauization and ultimate
citizenship.
The question Of suffrage is one which is
likely to agtate the public attention so long
as portion Of its citizens of the nation are
excluded from its privileges in any State.
1t seems to me very desirable that this
question should be settled now, aud l enter
tain the hope and express the desire it may
be by the ratification of the fifteenth article
of the amendment to the Constitution.
In conclusion. | ask, patient forbearance,
one towards another throughout the land,
and determined effort on the part of every
. citizen to do his share towards cementing q
happy union, and ask the prayers OF the
nation to Almighty God in behalf OF TIL;
consummation.