Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-03-16
The Work ofTwo Years.

Cleveland Leader, has now had un-
divided control of the General Gov
ernment just two years. Under Mr..
Johnson's administration, Congress
was engaged in bitter and violent
struggle with the executive to prevent
the relapse Of the South into the con
troll Of the rebel clement, and secure
the rights CT the enfranchised blacks.
The legitimate legislation of peace
was greatly hindered by these unto
ward antagonisms : but the work done
by the Republican majority of the
Fortieth Congress left permanent re
suits in the settlement of reconstruc
ton, andin preparation for the Repub-
lican success of the last two years,
Since the Inauguration of General
Grant, the Republican party has been
a unit, and is justly held responsible
for the government of the country.
Considering the condition in which
that party found the South, alter the
violent agitations provoked by the
reactionary policy of johnson, and
the condition of the civil service and
the finances after the unparalleled
corruption and waste of Johnson's
administration, the task imposed
upon it has been done with. credit TO
itself and large advantage to the coun-
try. 1t has completed reconstruction
by the fixed guarantees of constitu
tional amendments, and restored the
rebel states to their full rights and to
full representation in the. Union. It
has secured equal rights to all citizens
and settled the elective franchise upon
the broad basis of citizenship without
restriction by caste or color. 1t has
promoted works of internal improve
ment by ;udicious grants, resisting at
the same time the attacks of worthless
projects upon the public treasury. 1t
has ligEtened the burden Of taxation
by eighty millions of dollars per an
mum, while reducing the puolic debt
at the tie of over one hundred mil.
lions year. BY an honest and faith
full collection of its revenues, the
Government has proved, what we are
in danger of forgetting was ever
doubted, that the enormous war debt
can be paid. This demonstration has
done more than all else to silence the
clamor for reputation. The dishon
est shift Of greenback payment is
heard OF no more, and the public
credit is greatly improved both at
home and abroad The finances of
the country have gravitated steadily
towards gold basis, and the value
ofevery dollar in the peoples pockets
has been increased by at least one
fourth. Jhe only complaint made
against the financial policy of the
government, namely, that it is paying
the debt to fast, points to an error
which is to its honor rather than the
contrary, and one which can be easily
remedied if the people will it. The
scheme for refunding the debt at a
lower interest, seems, however, to
require that the revenue of the Gov
ernment should not be at once great
ly reduced. The success Of that
scheme will save millions each year.
Considering these facts showing the
domestic Improvement of the country,
in connection with the honorable re
lation maintained towards all foreign
nations, it appears that these two
years of Republican rule show a rec
ord which justly claims the confidence
of the country, and continuance of
the party in power.