Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-09-11

X
not agree with Governor Hayes that all
vexed questions Of our national politics
are wisely and happily settled; that great
questions of liberty and union and the
reconstruction of the Union, have been
made safe I cannot agree that re-
trenchment, economy and honesty have
been introduced into the management OF
the Federal expenditures; that the debt
has been decreased and is decreasing /;
that the burdens of taxation have been
reduced, and the weight upon the people
lightened that sound Judgment and free
dom from bad influences have been
brought to bear upon the immense pow
ers of the Secretary Of the Treasury !;
that business is active at present; that
enterprise is active; vigor, energy and
industry beautifully rewarded; employ
ment abundant; daily toll fairly CON-
pensated commerce prosperous; and
therefore cannot sincerely, as does our
worthy Governor, turn my face from ell
questions Of Federal politics to look only
at State affairs. 1t ought to be go ifitwere
not for schemes of consolidation. If
State affairs were left to State manage
ment, and federal affairs kept within the
scope of constitutional provisions, it
would be so; but / cant pretend to be-
lieve what know to be false. cant say
the Union is restored when Virginia, Mis-
sissippi and Texas are under military gov
ernors and Georgia without representation
in Congress peace restored when justice
is administered by drum-head courts
martial; the Constitution maintained,
when we know the Supreme Court is only
waiting an opportunity to declare the re-
construction acts unconstitutional l
oppose the adoption of the Fifteenth
Amendment, because its material radical
change in our system of government
destroys the relation of the States to the
Union, degrades them, takes from them,
without their consent, that essential attri-
butte Of selfgoverning community, the
right to determine who shall exercise the
right of suffrage; because it was intended
to and will introduce negro suffrage in
Ohio against the will of her people. Two
years ago the people of Ohio, without
distinction of party, and by an immense
majority, refused to amend the State
Constitution. After arrangement and
consideration, see no reason to believe
they have changed their opinion. | object
to its adoption; because, BY its strongest
implication, it confers on Congress and
reserves to the States rights to exclude
from the ballot-box persons of our own
white race because Of nativity, creed, want
of education, or poverty; and prohibits
the exclusion only of another race; and
il the Interpretation of Senators Morton
and Howard be correct, under this
amendment States may exclude Irish
men, Germans, Catholics, Protestsnts, or
poor men; but not negroes or Mongo-
lians. object to its adoption, because
il is part and parcel of scheme to food
the country with forced importation of
immense numbers of Chinese coolies,
and bring into our midst an alien race,
and repeat, in more difficult form, the
social and governmental questions which
have 80 unhsppily divided the people.
The last report of the Secretary shows he
ia boarding $l0I, 2l4,336 in coin and
$l2, l44,0 900 in currency. Why F? OF
what benefit are the customs of
q half year, while the people are
paying six per cent in gold as in
terest, and the Secretary is boarding this
immense amount Each month, with great
parade, he sells six or nine millions, and
with the proceeds he buys bonds, giving
rs per cent above par; they are now re-
deemable on their face by law in equity
they are payable in legal tenders; hold
ers gave legal tenders for them when le-
gal tenders were not worth more than
half what they are now contraction
gives universal fall of prices in goods
and labor, while debts, taxes and moueyed
obligations remain 6xedi the man who
has money becomes richer. The system is
radically unjust. A debt contracted on
our expanded currency should be paid in
the same currency; the dollar which !.
paid should be the same as tie dollar
which was loaned. Inc whole pol.
icy Of the administration should be
reversed. Pay the debt according to con-
tract pay 1t in money as valuable as
that which was received for it; pay it in
legal tenders; abolish the national bank
system; pay of the bonds on which they
are founded; save the yearly interest
use every appliance Of economy and
then when the debt is paid, the taxes
reduced when seventy-fve millions
suffice for the Government; when all
property is subject to just rule of
taxation, If It be advisable to contract
the currency and resume specie pay
ments. IL can be effected without disaster