Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-08-25

and the sublime doctrines of the Declara-
tion of Independence made assured and
practical realities. In the progress of
the ages it has been given to few, in any
form or by any modes, to achieve a work
30 vast, so grand. so beneficent so sure
to be recorded by history, and applaud
ed and remem tered by coming genera
tions.
ITS FOURTH ERA.
Having achieved this grand work hav-
ing passed through three eras of its his
tory, the Republican party, entering its
fourth era, was summoned to deal with
questions relating to the national debt,
the currency, fuances, and taxation, to
reforms in the military, naval and Ia
dian service, and whatever remaining
burdens and legacies were left by the
war. Concerning these questions there
are apparent diversities of interests and
real differences ofopinion. The solutions
of some of them are embarrassed by
by grave difficulties. They require time
as well as financial skill and practical
craftsmanship for their adjustment. Diff
ferences of opinion on matters so recon-
dite and complex, in an organization
embracing so many men of large intelli-
gence, trained 10 habits of Independent
thought, expression and modes of action,
are inevitable. They are, indeed, to be
expected and desired. for from such free
dom of discussion truth is ELECTED and
proper modes ofaction are deduced. The
men, therefore, who stood so firmly
while in minority, amid the denunci-
alton, arrogance, and scOrn of power;
the men who met the stern eXigencies of
civil war with such heroic courage, who
Id . L. i
the slave system; the men who grappled
so successfully with perplexing preg
nant issues of reconstruction lifted help
less freedmen up to citizenship, exalted
them to the heights of civil and politi-
cal rights and privileges, and made the
nation free in fact as we'll as in name,
should not shrink from the less memen-
tous and less embarrassing question now
before them. -.#t
WORK TO BE BEArCoMPLISHED.
E Patriotism, principle, the continued
existence, reputation and renown of the
Republican party and due sense of self
respect and pride of character demand
that Republicans now, as in the past,
should have faith in this capacity to car
ry forward to completion reforms so
auspiciously begun. 1t came into being
as an organization of reform and progress,
and should be ever ready to accept the
living issues of the hour and march
abreast with the spirit of the age. Un-
aided it has fought the battles of reform
with constancy and courage. Nor in
the work still before it can it hope for
aid from those who cling to the tradi-
tions Of the past, pride themselves on
their conservatism, and who during the
Einfa of he ar hox
resisted all reform, and mourned over
every effete and hateful abuse as it fell.
Ii there are republicans who are W cary
of the ascendency of the party which
has achieved such crowning victories,
who are tired of the responsibilities of
power, and would relinquish it to other
hands, they should remember that there
are none worthy to accept 1t. For sure
ly they cannot fail to see that the DEM
ocratic party, by its policy during the
closing year of its power. and by it's
blind and unrelenting opposition to re-
measures while out of power, |
even now, as if smitten by judicial blind
ness, refusing to accept the Constitution
al Amendments as fixed and final, has
its utter incapacity for
such trust.
L
Accustomed to success even against
fearful odds, understanding perhaps the
intrinsic difficulties of the pending is |
with high raised expec- |
,ations. OF course they have been i'm
patient, and not always satisfied with |
.esults. But while these expectations |
nave not been fully realized in the action |
If either the President or of Congress, |
much has been achieved, enough at any |
ate to satisfy them that the difficult |
problems will be wrought out and the |
Ioped for results accomplished. Gen. |
Grant came into office pledged to main
ain inviolate the public faith, reduce |
he national debt, diminish taxation,
appreciate the currency, reform abuse in
The civil and military service, and main
ain order in the States lately in rebel.
ion. By the combined action of the
the heads of departments,
Congress, and the General of the Army,
many abuses have been corrected, and1
many reforms inaugurated. President
Grants Indian policy is bringing forth
evidence of its justice, its humanity and
Is wisdom. The firm, just and generous
policy of the administration toward the
States lately in rebellion has brought
much of order and security, and crimes
lave largely diminished. In the inter-
sts of economy the services of thousands
If employees, both civil and military,
AVE been dispensed II it'll The currency
,as been appreciated in value by tens
nd scores Of rniiiiens ofdoIiars and the
RATIONAL credit has been largely strength
ned
st-- THE REVENUES. . l.
Without any increase in the articles
ubject to taxation, the revenues of the T.
iscal year ending 30th of June, 1870,
vere nearly S469, 900 900, against less
han S371 600, 600 for the year ending Both
f June, 1869, showing gain of nearly
SO ,0o0, 900. On the other hand, the ex-
enses of the fiscal year, 1870, were less (
han those Of 1863 by more. than $29,-
90, 900, thus showing an increased reve-
ue and saving in expenditures of more
han siXfy-seven millions of dollars in
he first fiscal year of General Grants
In the last sixteen
lonth's of Mr.. Johnson's administra- s
ion the receipts from customs and in ,
srnal revenue were less than three hum
red and seventy-two millions of dollars.
)uring the first sixteen months of GEN S
raj Grants administration they were
lore than four hundred and sixty-niue
liIlions, showing an increase of nearly
inety-seven millions of dollars. Re- I
ublicans will remember that during 8
ne last two years of Mr.. Johnson's ad-
he removed Republicans 8
ppointed by MI. Lincoln, and others q
lilo adhered to the principles of the
republican party, andappointed Demo- q
rats where he could do so. The charac-
n of the appointments, and the demor- J
izing influence Which his opinions and
,nduct had upon them, were seen in v
le loss of scores of millions of dollars of +
'venue in those years. The large gain O