Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-03-03

and our wealth will have increased in a
tar greater ratio.
The tide of emigration is rising higher
ard higher from day 10 day. The hon
est labor, intelligence, science and
wealth are coming to Us from every
country in Europe, and our growth and
progress are already without parallel
in history, and are exciting the astor ish-
Inent and fear of the nations.
This may be done bJ fdnding por-
ton of the debt into long bond az the
lowest rate OF interest which will be ac-
cepted: 1t isthe purpose of Congress to
reduce the rate ofinterest upon the body
OF the debt by fundinL into new bonds,
if possible, ell that part which is subject
to redemption and control. Whether
the time has arrived when this can be
accomplished we do not know, but the
effort will be made.
RECONSTRUCTION.
The primary work of reconstruction is
nearly accomplished. Mississippi has
lust been rs-admitted, and Georgia and
Texas will soon follow. The recent
action of Congress has enunciated the
great principle that the power TO recon
struct implies the power to protect the
reconstruction, and to prevent the fraud
ulent violation of the te rms and condi-
tions upon which the late rebel States
are restored to representation; that the
power to guarantee republican govern
mert in a State is the power to secure,
and may be as we'll exercised in ad-
vance, to prevent it's destruction, as to
rebuild after it has been destroyed. But
reconstruction will for years require the
protecting aud fostering hand of the Re-
publican party. Should the Democratic
party come into power, imbued with the
spirit of sullen opposition, II would seek
to destroy whatever has teen accom-
pIished, like the invaders of ancient
Rome, who pulled down the beautiful
statues and monuments, which they
had no genius or skill TO set up again.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
The Democratic party held their Con-
syention last month, to nominate candi-
a platform of faith and action.
In the first resolution they declare
that the Federal Union must be pre-
served. This is excellent, but it is a
trifle late. If they had said so before
and during the war. instead OF lending
their influence to those who were seek
ing to destroy the Union, we should
have been vastly more obliged to them.
In another resolution they declare
that the tariff las has destroyed our
shipping; whereas it was generally sup
posed that those distinguished Demo
Gratis who navigated the Alabalnas and
Shenandoahs had something to DO with
the destruction of American shipping
and com nl cree. -
In another resolution they declare
their adherence of the Reconstruction
measures. This, of course. They rel
ished the doctrines of secession and the
Resolutions of 1888 too we'll for that.
In another resolution, they declare
their unalterable opposition to the Fif-
teenth Amendment, and protest against
Indiana being counted in for its ratifica-
ton. They did this before by the dis
graceful desertion of their seats, and by
wicked conspiracy to deprive Indiana
of an equal voice in an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States,
by breaking up the legislative body; but
their protest was not needed then, nor
will it be now, although it cost the State
between one and two hundred thousand
dollars and is remembered only to be ex-
ecrated and despised. .-
The Fifteenth Amendment is the law
of the land. This great measure of1ustice
and equal rights has heen en- RATED
upon the Constitution; and henceiorth
in the North, as well as the South, the
right of suffrage will not depend on
color or race, but will be given to all cit
izens who are not disqualified by crime.
phis is the happy and glorious conclu'
sicn of struggle which has been in
progress for many years, and removes
. from the field of politics one of the most
exciting and dangerous questions by
which i has ever been disturbed.
The ratification by Indiana greatly
encouraged the friends of the amend
ment in other States, and stimulated
them to renewed eXertions for its final
success. ..
OF all the weak artifices ever devised
30 deprive State its rights under the
National Constitution, the weakest was
that by which it was sought to break
up the Legislature of Indiana by the
resignation of minority of its mem
bers. The future historian will look
upon this stupidity with utter incred,
ulity only to be overcome by the legis'
latiye record.
In another resolution they demand
the repeal of the tariff laws, and that
The Democracy never grumbled al
any tariff which protected the pro
ductions of slave labor, but they seem
absolutely hostile and malignant to.
ward the protection of the interests OF
free labor They seem absolutely to as
pire to the destruction of our manufac-
turing interests for some rea-on as in
comprehensive as it would be ruinous
to the country.
Mr.. Kerr, the preventative in Con-
gress from the Second District who
stands high in the Democratic party
recently made speech in the House
on the subject of The tariff, and after
discussing it at great length, summed
up the true principle upon which i
should be established, in the following
language. Iquote from the Globe o
January %:
''As general principle, therefore
! imposts should be chiefly charged against
imported articles of luxury and sucE
/ other articles of commerce as can not bt
produced in our country. Such duties
never fail to produce the greatest amOun
of revenue with the least material ef
feet on general prices, the most incon'
siderable loss to the people, and the leas
| injury to domestic production. But these
principles are shamefully violated by
the present law"
This declaration is most eXtraordiua
ry, but is perfect illustration of the
spirit of the Democratic party towards
| the manufacturing interests of our coun
| try. He says that duties should b,
levied chiefly against imported article
OF luxury, and against such other article
Of commerce as can not be produced IL
our country. So far as the articles o
luXuries are concerned, it is all right
| but that duties should be levied chief,
against articles that can not be produce,
in our country, is declaration of wal
against our manufactures. He woul,
place the duties high where we have M
manufactures TO encourage or protect