The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-04-01
THE FINANCIAL POLICY OF THE
ADMINISTRATION
and Privilege w. the I'm
tcrcst of the LilbOrer.
THE FICTION AND FRAUD IN THE CREATION OIL
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
PLANS FOR THE PAYMENT OF
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
United States House of Rcpressn-
tatives, January "a. 1870.

suspended, and each party is resting
to recruit his forces; now that the Ad
, ministration has been proven a delin
Iquent in its use of the public none,
by the chairman cf appropriations
l(Alr. Dawes, J; and has been defended
with magnanimity and oblivion of pas
injuries which has no parallel in the
history of human charity and forgive
ness by his military and warlike col
league, (AIr. Butler now that there i,
a lull in the storm, and peace for {
brief season on the opposite side of the
Chamber, l arise to ask the indulgence
of the House while l demonstrate thai
the wrongs and expressions of the peo
Iple have longer growth and more
z ant proportions by far than even
those which this striking and remark
able debate has disclosed.
The interest now felt in the public
mind upon the subject of our tinan-
cial policy is deep and universal. All
classes are bending their thoughts to-
ward this great theme. 1t awakens Il
sollcitude as widespread as the winds
and as all-prevading as the light that
breaks with the opening of the day.
The people of every grade and condi-
ton are impelled by the strongest OF
all human inducements to give eager
heed to the actions of this Govern
ment on the subject of its revenues.
But while this question thus presents
II common center, which with the IRE
sistable force of some vast controlling
magnet attracts every mind to its earn
est contemplation, yet the points OF
observation from which it is approach
ed and considered are widely separa-
ted, and stand apart like places OF for
tiled hostility frowning upon each
other The great body Of the people
who work with their own hands
through all the weary days of the year,
and whose earnings constitute the
wealth of the nation, occupy one posi-
ton, and with painful anxiety prays for
relief against the further operations of
system of appalling injustice and
crushing monopoly. The owners OF
idle capital, the fayorites of fortune
and of special legislation, who like the
lilies toll not and yet surpass kings in
the splendor of their habits and luzu-
ries, occupy the other position, and in
woke the powers of the Government to
make no change; to continue forever
the enchantlnents of their feast for
which others pay. The farmer, who
its annual products for the support of
men and nations; the mechanic, who
increases the values of things by his
skillful industry; the toilers Of the
land and of the sea, III whatever avo-
cation the gifts and bounties of nature
are extracted by human labor, discov
er in the present policy of this Govern
ment toward themselves, their classes,
and their posterity after them, nothing
save exactions. usury, and penalties.
The man whose greatness of brain and
heart consists solely in his superior
ability to wiring money from the hands
of others, and to amass sufficient
wealth to obscure his vision of justice
on earth and to darken his hopes of
heaven hereafter, beholds nothing in
our revenue laws in regard to his in
terests excepts emoluments, riches,
and careful exemptions.
vi I"O OppOoiAt, SlIooSo =
range myself with the most friendless
in this body, in whose behalf voice
here speaking plainly the truth is but
seldom now heard. Monopoly and
privilege have clamored in hi yb, impc-
rious tones in these halls for years.
They have secured lodgment beyond
the reach of the hug.ble and the poor.
Their advocates on this floor are nu-
merous and able. They listen with
impatience to contradiction, and at
tempt to drown the authority of rea-
son by the force of worn out epithets.
The capitalists for whom American
| Legislation is now enacted, is always
here. He has the time and the means
to look after his mighty interest at the
seat of Government. He is vigilant,
and his face may be seen in all the cor
ridors of the Capital. He comes arm
ed with the powers of bonds, banks,
and manufactures, and wherever he
treads monopoly lifts up his ugly crest
and mocks the people with the special
favors it has received at the hands OF
Congress.
/ Why comes not the farmer here
Why is his honest, sunburnt face un-
known in the precincts of national leg
|islation, at the ear of the Executive,
and in the long and busy aisles of the
Departments? Why are his plain
lclothes never seen amid the throne
which surrounds and ivades this capi
tol? He is the power abovefal others
which upholds the entire political anc
lsocial structure. From his hard hands
flow those constant rivulets which fee6
and swell the illimitable ocean of oul
revenues. Delegations crowd the off
cial chambers of the Government il
behalf of every human enterprise ex
cept that which is greatest of all, thu
cause of labor. The farmer and tht
mechanic toll at home to meet the ex
actions of the tax-gatherer, while thos,
whose hands are unstained with labo
and whose lives are given to sumptu
GUS ease shape the Legislation of th,
, country for the purposes of privat,
gain and individual monopolies. Ii
The absence of the laherer I propos