The national Republican., 1869-02-17
THE NATIONAL DEsr.

THE NATIONAL DEBT.
How to pay this great debt, contracted TO |
save the Government, or how to redeem II |
and to fund portion Of 1t at lower rate Of |
interest, are questions the solution Of which |
Is of vital moment to US as people.
Repudiation Ia mischievous and wicked
hcresy, and no considerable number Of the
people will ever think Of adopting such
policy as repudlation In any form. Still the
question recurs, what Is to be douei There
stands the formidable load Of debt, burden
Weighing down our industries and conse-
quently crippling our credit at home and
abroad.
There are one or two considerations, the
obvious purport and meaning of which can
not fail to strike every mind and the sug-
gestions we have to offer in this connection
are not partisan, but national In their extent,
bearing and application.
We are entering upon new era, and are
about to inaugurate a new policy, and, as a
nation, to take new departure in career
of national greatness and prosperity which
hitherto, In many essential respects, have
never characterized US as people.
General Grant, In one terse automatic ut
teranCc, gave form and force to all the great,
active and controlling principles upon which
this Government must be administered to
win success, to guarantee prosperity, and to
secure that development Of our resources
which will, in the shortest time possible,
enable us to master and manage the national
debt.
When he said ''let US have peace" he ut
tered pregnant thought, every word Of
which Is big in meaning; and by these
words he foreshadowed the policy Of his ad-
ministration, and pointed the way for the
nation to travel. Following this advice as a
people we shall enter upon that high road to
prosperity and development which dwarfs all
the past and makes sure and glorious the
future Of our country.
When, several years ago, Mr.. Seward,
from his place In the Uuited States Senate,
announced that there was an "irrepres. lble
conflict" between ,lavery and freedom, he
embodied the central thought Of the anti
slavery struggle into one mighty and potent
fundamentally, and crystallized all its forces
into an irresiitible power which ultimately
overthrow the institution OF human slavery
in this land and ground it to powder. So
now these four words Of the ''sllent man"
have become the rallying cry Of millions,
and If he had never said any more he has
said enough to stir the heart OF the nation
and direct all Its energies into those channels
OF productive Industries which will leave no
time nor place nor strength for war, but oil
shall be absorbed in those peaceful pursuits
the grand results of which shall be seen in
miracles Of prosperity, all pou. ing their
riches Into the lap of labor, filling our pri-
vate and public Golfers, and causing plenty
everywhere to abound and peace everywhere
to abide.
Carlyle has somewhere said that ''silence
Is the gospel Of wisdom" President GRAM
is the apt teacher and accredited expounde
Of Thomas Carlyle's gospel Of wisdom,
and he has expressed 1t all in four nttl
words, ''Let US have peace" Let US no
give q more practical turn to the abo,
thoughts and suggestions. In the North v
have population Of twenty millions
people engaged in agriculture, mining, In Il
manufacturing and mechanic arts and
commerce. These people do not want wa
but they do want peace. They, without di
tinction Of party, love their Government ar
believe in it. As q general thing they 4
homogeneous, and are solicitous mainly
follow the pursuits Of the peaceful indu
tries. They therefore accept the words 90
US have peace" with gratitude, and their q
claim 10 benlsops on tho head Of him vi
utters them. Now, what will not such
people do, aided by a Government that
sures to them continued peace, equal law
and exemption from oppressive and ella
legislation How long, If prosperity be thI
insured, will 1t take to reduce the nation
debt to such q point that it will cease to be
burdeni Surely it will come on apace.
Turning our attention to the South, d
look, though hopeful when viewed In Il
light of the prospective future, Is not all '
could wish; still there Is hope even there OF
better time.
There Is TODAY a population Of twelve M
lions Of people occupying region muc
richer by far in natural resources than al
other portion Of our common country. The
people to-day are, to much larger erte
than should exist, hanging, SO to speak, upC
the verge ofthe Government, and are thereto
crippled in their industries. The dlsconte
which chNracterizos In any degree this po
tion of our country must be removed. tt
same system of labor, the same social orde
the same laws and policies must govern
all, both North and South; in short, we mu
seek peace and pursue it. This is wh
President Grant means, and by needing /
advice and acting upon its suggestions, '
secure the great blessings which are alwa
vouchsafed to peaceful pursuits; we dlsI
the darkness Of the present hour we thrC
off the burdens of taxation and debt, and
emerge into the light, liberty and prosper
of free and happy people. Such are
hopeful and encouraging prospects held I
to the people by the incoming Administ
ton, aud II all the people act In harmc
with these grand truths all will be well.