The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-08-12
Terms $500 per onnuna, in adrance.


ierences of opinion. The solutions of some of
lnem iI, are embarrassed by grave difficulties
lhey require time as well as financial skill
ana practlcal craftsmanship for their adjust
ment. Differences of opinion on matters so
recondite and complex, in an organization
embracing so many men Of large intelligence,
trained TO habits OF independent thought, ex-
preston and modes OF action, are inevitable.
They are indeed TO be expected and desired,
Tor from such freedom of discussion truth is
elected and proper modes of action are de-
duced. The men, therefore, who stood so
flrmly while in minority, amid the denun-
cations, arrogance and scorn of power; the
men who met the stern exigencies of civil war
with such heroic courage who assailed the
slave power and extirpated the slave system;
the men who grappled so successfully with
the Perplexing and pregnant issues of recon-
structien, lifted helpless freedmen up to cti-
zenship, exalted them TO the heights of civil
and political rights and privileges, and made
the nation free In fact as well as in name,
should not shrink from the less momentous
and less embarrassing questions now before
them.
Patriotism, principle, the continued exist
ence, reputation and renown of the Republi-
can party, and a due sense of self-respect and
pride OF character demand that Republicans
now, as in the past, should have faith in this
capacity to carry forward to completion re-
forms so auspciously begun. 1t came into
being as an organization of reform and pro-
gress, and should be ever ready to accept the
living issues of the hour, and march abreast
with the spirit of the age. Unaided 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 still cling
to tho traditions of the past, pride themselves
on their conoe. sSsism, arci-who, during the
conflicts of the past twenty years, have resisted
oil A..
hateful abuse as it fell. II there are Republi-
cans who are weary of the ascendency of a
party which has ach heved such crowning vic
tories, who are tired of the responsibilities of
power, and would reinquish it to other hands,
they should remember that there are none
worthy to accept it. For surely they cannot
fail to see that the Democratic party, by its
policy during the closing years OF its power,
and by its blind and unrelenting opposition
to reformatory measures while out OF its pow
er, even now, as if smitten by judicial blind
ness, refusing to accept the constitutional
amendments as fixed and final, has demon
strated its utter incapacity for such a trust.
Accustomed to success even against fearful
odds, and undertaking perhaps the intrinsic
difficulties of the pending issues, many Re-
publicans looked TO General Grants admins.
tration with high raised expectations. OF
course they have been impatient, and not al
expectations have not been fully realized in
the action of either the President or Con-
gress, much has been achieved; enough, at
at any rate, to satisfy them that the difficult
problems will be wrought out and the hoped
1or results accomplished.
General Grant came into office pledged to
maintain inviolate the public faith, reduce
the national debt, diminish taxation, appre-
ciate the currency, reform abuses i'm the civil
m pfai,
the States lately in rebellion. BY the COM
bined action OF the President, the heads of
departments, Congress and the general of the
army, many abuses have Leen corrected and
many reforms inaueurated. President Grants
Indian policy is bringing forth evidences of
its justice, its humanity and its wisdom. The
firm, just and generous policy of the admins
tration toward the States lately in rebellion,
has brought much of order and security, and
crimes have largely diminished. In the in-
terests OF economy The services of thousands
of employees, both civil and military, have
been dispensed with. The currency has been
appreciated in value by tens and scores of
millions of dollars, and the national credit
has been largely Strengthened.
Without any increase in the articles sub
ject to taxation, the revenues of the fiscal
year ending 30th of June, 1870, were nearly
four hundred and nine millions OF dollars.
On the other hand the expenses of the fiscal
year, 1870, were less than those of 1860 BY
more than twenty millions of dollars thus
showing an increased revenue and saving in
expenditures of more than sixty-seven mill
ions of dollars in the first fiscal year of Cen
eral Grants administration. In the last six
teen months of Mr.. Johnson's administra-
ton the receipts from customs and internal
revenue were less than three hundred and
seventy-two millions of dollars. During the
first sixteen months of General Grants ad.
minstration they We're more than four hun
dred and sixty-nine millions showing an in
crease of nearly ninety-seven millions OF dol
lars.
Republicans will remember that during the
last two years of Mr.. Johnson's administra-
ton lie removed Republicans appointed by
Mr.. Lincoln and others who adhered to the
principles of the Republican party, and ap-
pointed Democrats where he could do so.-
The character OF these appointments and the
demoralizing influence which his opinions
and conduct had upon them were seen in the
loss of scores of millions of dollers of revenue
in those years. The large gain in the collec-
| ton is mainly due to the determined and
avowed purpose OF General Grant to secure
| an honest administration of the revenue laws
and the appointment of Republicans to office
| earnestly devoted to his economical policy.
During the recent session of Congress taxes
| have been reduced more than seventy-fiye
| millions of dollars Tho taxos have hoo., 80
,,nned froro ,ransnor..t;on -, m',o 1s oIeh re
ra;,veys ii from, saias bu daa,ar 'sna,s anu
tnrorS rha ;n"oo,o y ~ La. Sear anu d1
two and half per cent on all incomes above
The end of two years Tha 70 " eApne at
been reduceJ from ,wo,,tu.6va & 20 eea n yea mas
ner nonnJ on cnt1ao f,on, f,o " " .een Genus
and The lax on snoar and moiosSos &C. e1nts'
raduc.J in the aoSreaaie tTaI1,a ,iiiis ias peen
dollars nar onnnn Rv tb;s radno.iar, 1oTs 's o'
a,;o, tha II; Jstas r ;,a ,oa,Sia VI laA-
essor;es of lie have becn ra,ieYpaJ % ne hnr
oo,o,,r,;nr 20 ,,,;,I;ors rri,o f y. ouieSus riS
an ;mnort3nt f;nanc;al measnro "u r.h;5, oln @ 70