Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-01-14

aeter TO the fullest confidence ~ the minds, /
not only of our countrynen but of foreign /
ers, and has allayed all spirit OF discomfort /
that might have been dangerous to the sta 1
bility OF our Institutions.
There Is another subject also of National I
Importance claiming our attention, because /
il directly affects the industrial operations /
in which Pennsylvania is so largely interest," I
ed. Movements, characterized with the
greatest energy, are now being made hy
those interested in free trade to induce
Congress 10 take such action as will permit
the Tree introduction Of steel, iron and iron
materials for ship buildings, and MANY 9th
er notifications of the tariff laws. Should
such efforts be successful, the result must
prove disastrous to the great coal, iron and
other interests Of our State, diminishing the
production OF iron and other manufactured
articles, and consequently the consumption
Of coal and be destructive to our valuable
home markets Il would also prove disas
trous TO many of our capitalists and working
pe0ple-depriviug them Of all reasonable
prospects Of future activity and remunera
ting wages--ana bring our producers into
rulnous competition with pauper labor from
abroad So far as the present system at
fords protection to the manufactures, labor
j
tory upon Us to use all honorable means to
prevent any reduction Of existing duties.
Our miners, laborers aud manufacturers
should not be thrown out Of employment By
the proposed change of duties on foreign I'M
ports, which has always heretofore resulted
in the prostration OF every department OF
trade, labor and business. and entailed upon
US the manifold evils of National, State and
Individual bankruptcy We owe it as dU
ty to our constituents 20 instruct our Sena
tors and requestour Representatives in Cou-
gress to oppose al such attempts For the
same reasons We should oppose any reciproc
ity treaties by which the people of Canada
can gain advantages over cur own lumber
men, farmers and other producers, within
cur limits.
While acknowledging the rightful coDsti-
tutlonal authority of the General Govern.
ment To dispose Of all questions relative to
national affairs, and while IN no manner
seeking to interfere with The exercise OF that
authority, [ cannot refrain from alluding to
the fact, that for more than year, a brave
people 10 Cuba have been struggling for
their independa nee against great odds, IN the
face of barbarties and atrocities which viii
forever be a foul blot upon the history OF
Spain We should indeed be GnmiBdful of
y
tionality, If We omitted TO notice this patrj-
otic effort by the Cub8ns to throw off the
Spanish yoke, and ike our own ancestors.
TO assume among the powers Of the Garth
the separate and equal station to which ma
ture and nature God entitle them. The
new organization has abolished slavery, and
attested its right not only our sympathy,
but to recognition, by the Vigor and GeteTml-
cation Of its resistance 10 the expressions OF
the mother country Almost from the be-
ginning Of our National Government, Con
sress has furnished numerous precedcnts
/ for the action here indicated, even when the
1 people struggling for liberty we're not upon
I the American continent They recognized
( Greeca in her efforts TO establish her nation
( alIty against Turkish oppression. The same
spirit prevailed not only towards Poland
/ Italy and Hungary but to ireland in an her
movements to regain her long lost national
( ity, These countries had the unmislakable
/ sympathy of the people of the United
/ States, and our public men, in every branch
/ Of the government never hesitated 10 speak
4 in their defeuce Ia the case Of the French
/ revolution, the statesman Of America gave
/ every encouragement to the people Of that
country to establish Republican form Of
{ Government. Upon this continent there
( a numerous instances of active sympathies
with the struggles Of the people for liberty
( in various nations 10 the case Of Texas,
I during her conflict with Mexico. she not on
! ly had our undisguised friendship, but
( obtained our recognition OF her independent
nationality, and soon after wards she was
! annexed 10 our great siSterhOOd Of States
/ Ii is in singular contrast with these his
/ torie prccedeuts, that the people Of Cuba
/ have as yet received no national encourage
/ ment or recognition, while they are imita-
/ ting the example Of our fathers, who, as
coloHists, struck down the hand which op-
I pressed them, and established for them
selves a free and independent government
I There Is no question but that the patriots of
Cuba have the warm and emphatic sym
paJhy of a great majority Of the people Of
this and other States and | but give ut
/ terance to what is an abiding sentiment
/ among the masses. when / declare a hearty
/ sympathy with the people Of that Island
/ now endeavoring to cast off the yoke Of oD-
I preston fastened 50 long upon them by an
( intolerant government. The gem of the
Antilles OF right belongs to republican rule
and is. TO all intents and purposes, covered
/ by the Monroe doctrine, so that Whatever
/ recognition the government might extend
/ 10 republicans Of Cuba, it would only
amount to the practical enforcement of what
our nation has so long advanced in theory.
( Cuba Is an American island. Geographi
/ caily il belongs to the United States It's
/ acquisition has been leading principle with
/ many Of our able>t statesmen from an early
/ period in our history. Jefferson, Madison,
7 Adams, Clay, Van Buren, Buchanan and
I many Others advocated ILc Incorporation of
Cuba into the Union. Il is hoped the time
! will soon come, IT it has not already arrived
/ when by the enunciation Of prompt and
4 decided policy brave people may be recog-
/ uized as independent, aud the cause Of re.
I publican principles receive new encourage
ment.
The management OF our national finances
is one Of the most delicate and important
questions now under consideration BY the
American people, and while it is not my in
teution to offer aHY plan to settle matter
which seems TO give so much trouble 10
many OF our most experienced fnanciers,
lev suggestions may not be out OF place.
It viii be remembered that By the estab.
lishment OF our National banks, the best
and safest paper currency that ever existed
IN this nation has been afforded. Great
caution should therefore be taken nor To
mar a system that has been so generally
I beneficial. When the government esrab
| lished the National banks, our State banks
we're taxed out Of existence and destroyed
as such, but in many instances they were
renewed BY the solemn enactment Of Con
gress. under whose supervision they were
promised just, kind aud fostering care. IL
seems unjust, therefore, that the govern
ment should propose to Withdraw mart Of
their circulation from them aud give it to
new ones TO be organized where none now
exist. If new banks should be ereated
wherever they may be required, they should
receive their circulation from an Increase of
the amount now authorized by law. The
circulation to be the same as the banks now
have, and on the same kind Of securities.
In my opinion, a policy OF expansion Of the /
currency should be adopted that win give I
ease and comfort to the people, and that
will chncr mnanl re- 2 s.Ilr.. n-,- -. -.