Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-07-18
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TO THE
Daily Kennebec Journal.
Secretary Boutwelps Speech at
Greensboro, N. C.

Raleigh, n. c., II. Mr.. Boutwell, in his
speech at Greensboro, N. c., protested against
the advice to clasp hands across the bloody
chasm. The chasm must be filled up. Pro-
duced by injustice, let it be ctmented with
justice. 1t cannot be filed by the denial of
protection to native born ritisens of the
United States, in North Carolina, South
Carolina and Texas. He counselled his
hearers not to be seduced by the idea that the
democrats are supporting republican for
the Presidency, and said if their candidate
could offer (what he cannot offer) consistent
life in the past as a pledge of his policy in
the future, even this would be without value
on the pressure of the fact that nearly all his
supporters are from the democratic party. In
the nature Of things The bloody chasm cannot
be filled, till fixed majority of the South
accept the doctrines not only that men are
equal before the law, bu, all men by right are
equal before the law. If bitterness once ex-
listed it has passed away. One act of justice
only remains to be done. The country waits
tor the evidence that you heartily and cheer
1ully accord the full rights of citizens under
the Constitution of the United States to all
within your borders. Give this evidence and
the bloody ehasm Is closed
Mr.. Boutwell, presented at length the finan-
cal policy OF Gen. Grants administration.
and claimed that none more than the Presi.
dent will strive to make the Union what it
ought to be--a general government, strong
enough to maintain its own existence against
all enemies foreign or domestic strong
enough to protect the rights of its citizens at
home and abroad, States with power full and
complete, sovereign over all local affairs
members of union iudlssoluble and so at
tractive that no citizen shall hereafter con-
slider whether his duty to his State or his
country is supreme.
Mr.. Boutwell, said the financial policy of
Grants administration was first, to secure
the honest collection Of public revenues;
second, to reduce the public expenditures;
third, to re-establish pubic credit and reduce
the interest account; fourth, to reduce taxa
ton, and finally to prepare the way for the
resumption of specie payment at the earliest
moment consistent with the prosperity of the
country. He attributed much Of the fraud in
the revenue TO the laxity of Johnson's admin
istration and his indisposition to enforce the
laws in consequence of the csnf1ict between
a democratic President and a republican
Senate. Dishonest men were most success.
full in attaining Office as they only could resort
favorable to both.
template electing Mr.. Greeley to the Presi-
dency, you must contemplate the fact that
the Senate, whatever may be the present
opinion of the country, will be republican
for the next two years, and with almost aqual
certainty for the next four years. You must
contemplate therefore. return of the state
Of things which existed during Johnson's ad-
mihistraiion. You will secure the retention
Of dishonest men in office, and the appoint
ment of dishonest men to ofies by processes
which do not permit of control. The ad-
ministration of Gen. Grant has given to the
country the benefit of common purpose in
all the departments of the government. That
common purpose was the collection OF the
revenue, and this result has been secured.
Mr.. Boutwell, continued: 1t is ascertained
by careful comparison, that if the average
rate of taxation during the last three years of
Johnson's administration had been continued
and and extended over the first three years
Of Grants. the receipts into the treasury
would be greater than they were by $685.
100000. So it appears that it'll the same
facilities with the revenue that were enjoyed
by Johnsons administration, the total pay
ments on the public debt during the first
three years Of Grants, would have amounted
to ABOUT six hundred million dollars, and that
the payments towards the public debt on the
30,h of June, 1873, would have reached the
enormous sum of six hundred and fifty-three
millions.
This shows at once the reduction of taxes
that has been expected by Grants admins.
tration; and the immense losses by fraud
and corruption under johnson is due largely
to a division of sentiment and purpose be-
tween the Senate and EXECUTIVE.
Mr.. Boutwell, expressed his belief in the
practicabiiity of continuing the redemption of
the outstandingG per cent. bonds and the
issue of and l-2 and per cents, and
said it must be accepted as truth for this
country in Its present condition that the re-
sumption of specie payments will not be due
directly to any measure of legislation, nor
can it be forciby maintained by any act of
the government. 1t must be the natural re-
suit of the existing condition of things, and
therefore it has been the policy of the ad-
ministration to promote that condition of
things which would enable the government
to resume specie payments without effecting
violently of prejudicially the great interests