The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-03-12

cure these ends Will receive my best el-
forts to secure enforcement.
A great debt has been contracted in
securing TO us and our pOsterity the
Union. The payment of this debt,
principal and interest, as well as the
return to a specie basis as soon as it
can be accomplished without national
detriment to the debtor class of the
country at large, must be provided for.
To protect the national honor every
dollar of Government Indebtedness
should be paid in gold unless other
wise expressly stipulated in the con-
tract. Let it be understood that no re-
pudiator of one farlhing of our public
debt will be trusted in public place,
and it will go far towards strengthen
ing a credit which ought to be the best
in the world, and will ultimately ena-
BILE us to replace the debt with bonds
bearing less interest than we now pay.
To this should be added faithful col
lection of the revenue, a strict accoun-
liability to the Treasury for every dol
lar collected and the greatest practical
bic retrenchment in expenditure in ev-
cry department Of the government.
When we compare the paying capaci-
ty of the country now, with ten States
still in poverty, from the effects of war,
but soon to emerge, | trust, in
to greater prosperity than ever before,
with its paying capacity twenty-five
years ago, and calculate what it proba-
bly, will be twenty-five years hence,
who can doubt the feasibility Of pay
ing every dollar then with more ease
than we now pay for useless luxuries.
Why, it looks as though Providence
had bestowed upon us a strong box.
The precious metals locked up in the
sterile mountains of the far west, which
we are now forging the key to unlock,
meet the very contingency that is now
before us. Ultimately it may be ne
cessary to increase the facilities to
reach these riches, and it may be ne
cessary also that the general gov
ernment should give its aid to secure
this access, but that should only be
when dollar of obligation to pay Sc
cures precisely the same sort of dollar
to use now, and not before. Whilst
the question Of specie payments is in
allegiance the prudent business man is
careful about contracting debts payable
in the distant future. The nation
should follow the same rule. a pros
trate commerce is to be rebuilt and all
industries encouraged. The young
men Of the country-those who from
their age must be its rulers twenty-five
years hence-have a peculiar interest
in maintaining the national honor. A
moments reflection as to what will be
our commanding influence among
the nations Of the earth, in this day, if
they are only true to themselves,
should inspire them with national
pride. All divisions, geographical, pO-
litical and religious, can join in this
common sentiment How the public
debt is to be paid or specie payments
resumed is not so important as that
plan should be adopted and acquired.
In a united determination to do is
worth more than divided councils up
on the method of doing. Legislation
upon this may not be necessary now,
even advisable, but it will be when the
civil law is more fully restored in all
parts of the country, and trade resumes
its wOnted channels. i will be my
endeavor to execute laws in good
faith to collect revenues assessed and
to have them properly accounted for
and economically disbursed. l will, to
the best of my ability, appoint to of
fees those only who will carry out this
design.
In regard to foreign policy | would
deal with nations as equitable law re-
quires individuals TO deal with each
other, and | would protect the law a.
biding citizen whether a native or of
foreign birth, wherever his rights are
JeOparuIZet or tHe nag UI UuI ~ps.l-eay
floats | would respect the rights of
our own. If others depart from this
rule in their dealings with US, we may
be compelled to follow their precedent.
The proper treatment of the original
occupant of this land, the Indian, is
one deserving of careful study. | will
favor any course towards them which
tends to their civilization, christianiza-
ton and ultimate citizenship.
The question of suffrage is one which
is likely to agitate the public so long as
a portion of the citizens of the nation
are excluded from its privileges in any
way. 1t seems to me very desirable
that this question should be settled
now, and | entertain the hope and ex-
press the desire that it may be by the
ratification of the 10Th article of the a
mendment to the Constitution.
In conclusion, | ask the patient for
bearance of one towards another
throughout the land, and a determined
effort on the part of every citizen TO do
his share towards cementing a happy
Union, and | ask the prayers of the ma
ton to Almighty God in behalf of this
contamination.