The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-08-25
corded by history, and applauded and re-

| tIonai debt, the currency, finances and
taxation-to reforms in the military,
naval and Indian service, and whatever
remaining burdens and legacies were left
| by the war; Concerning these questions,
there are apparent diversities of inter
ests, and real differences of opinion. The
! solutions of some of them are embarrassed
| by grave difficulties. They require time
as well as financial skill ard practical
craftsmanship. for their adjustment.
| Differences of opinion on matters so re-
condite and complex, in an organization
embracing so many men of large ntelli-
gence, trained to 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 of action are deduced. The
men therefore, who stood so firmly while
in minority, amid the denunciations,
arrogance. and scorn Of power: the men
who met the stern exigancies Of civil war
with such heroic courage, who assailed
the slave power and extirpated the slave
system; the men who grappled so sue
cessfulIy with the perplexing and preg-
nant issues of reconstruction, lifted help
| less freemen Up to citizenship, exalted
| them to the heights of civil and political
rights and privileges, and made the ma
| ton free in fact as we'll as in name,
| should not shrink from the less momen-
| tous.and less embarrassing questions be-
fore them.
Patriotism. principle, the continued
existence, reputation and renown of the
Republican party. and due sense of
self respect and pride Of character de-
mand that the Republican party now, as
in the past, should have faith in this ca
pacity to carry forward to completion re-
forms 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. Unaided, it has fought the battles
! of reform with constancy and courage.
Nor in the work still before it can hope
for aid from those who still cling to the
traditions Of the past, pride themselves
on their conservatism, and who, during
the conflicts of the past twenty years,
have resisted all reform. and mourned
over every effect and hateful abuse as it
fell. IF there are Republicans who are
weary Of the ascendency OF a party which
has achieved such browning 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 Il. For surely
they cannot fail to see that the Demo
cratic party, by its policy during the
closing year OF its power, and by its blind
and unrelenting opposition to reforma-
tory measures while out Of power, even
now, as if smitten by judicial blindness,
refusing to accept the Constitutional
Amendments as fixed and final, has de-
monstrated its utter incapacity for sucha
trust
Accustomed to success even against
fearful odds aud undertaking perhaps the
intrinsic difficulties Of the pending issues
many Republicans looked to Gen.
Grants administration with high raised
expectation. OF course they have been
impatient. and not always satisfied with
results. But while these exl ectations
have not been fully realized IN he action
Of either the President or Of Congress,
much has been achieved enough, at
any rate, to satisfy them thai the diff
cult problems will be wrought out and
the hoped for results accomplished.
Grant came into Office pledged to maiE-
tain inviolate the public faith, reduce
the national debt, diminish taxation, APP
preciate the currency, reform abuses In
the civil and military service, ana main
tain order IN the States lately in rebellion.
BY the combined action of the President,
the heads of departments, Congress and
the General of the Army, many abuses
have been corrected and many reforms
inaugurated. President Graut's Indian
policy IS bringing forth evidences Of its
justice, its humanity and wisdom. The
firm. just and generous policy of the Ad-
ministration toward the States lately in
rebellion has brought much of order and
security, and crimes have largely dimin-
ished. In the interests Of economy the
services Of thousands Of employees, both
civil and military, have been dispensed
with. The currency has been appreciat-
ed in value by tens and scores of millions
of dollars, and the national credit has
been largely strengthened.
Without any increase in the articles
subject to taxation or in the rate of taxa,
ton, the revenues of the fiscal year, end
ending Both Of June, 1870, was nearly
against less than three hundred and
seventy-one millions for the year ending
30th of June. 1869, showing the gain of
nearly thlrty-elght millions of dollars.
On the other hand the expenses Of the
fiscal year, 1870, were less than those OF
1869 by less than twenty-nine millions of
dollars, thus showing an increased reven-
ne and saving in expenditures Of more
| than slxty-seyen millions of dollars in
| the first fiscal year of General Grant 5
administration. In the last sixteen
months of Mr.. Johnsons administration
| the receipts from customs and internal
revenue were less than three hundred
| aud seventy-two millions of dollars
! During the first sixteen months of Gen.
Grant administration they were more
| than four hundred and sixtv-nine mill
ions, showing an increase Of nearly nine
| ty-seveu millions of dollars.
Republicans viii remember that during
the last two years of Mr. Johnson's adj
ministration he removed Republicans an.
pointed by Mr. Lincoln and others who
adhered to the principles of the Repub-
lican party, and appointed 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 dollars of revenue in
| those years. The large gain in the col
lection is mainly due to the determined
avowed purpose cf Gen Grant to secure
an honest administration of the revenue
laws, and the appointment of Republl-
cans to Office earnestly devoted to his
economical policy.
During tie recent session of Congress
taxes have been reduced more than
seventy-hve millions IF dollars. The
taxes have been removed from transpor-
tation By canals and railways, from sales
| by dealers and manufacturers. The in
come tax has been reduced to two and a
! half per cent. on all incomes ahovo +ro