Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-09-12

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appear by the measures adopted against
the recently detected malefactOrs. In
organizing the forces employed, equal
opportunities for purging itself from
completely we conceded to each of the
great political parties, and to every
class. This innocence has been shield
ed from the discredit of evil associa-
tions inadvertently formed. Official
villainy stands literally defenseless,
under actual or impending Judgment,
and all honest men in this great city and
State are united as a brotherhood in
common defense.
My views of the public interest, and
of existing public necessities, compel
me to repudiate the Baltimore nomina-
ton Of Mr.. Greeley. Whenever speak
ing or writing on the subject 1 have un-
iformly condemned it, and deeared my
readiness to support Democratic can
didate. This circumstance has led to a
supposal in some quarters that L had
aspirations to Office, and it has been sug-
gested that my name be offered to your
acceptance as candidate. The object
of this letter is to avoid misapprehen-
sion on that point.
If compelled to decide 6eta1een Gen.
Grant and Jf-. Greeley as candidates for
the Presidency, the Democratic eLector
must rely UeT,y much upon mere cof1ect-
ttre. Those 1chO incline to the JGtte. as
@ choice Of eviLs suggest that q naitigd-
ton of oppression at the South aUOatLT
result from his success. There man,
hoaoerer, be equal ground to hope for that
good result in either issue of this Ti0dLy.y.
Once his second term shall haze been
secured, Gen. Grants only DaotiUe Jof.
i,lficti,lg misery ON that portion Of his
cOlIatTynae,1 aCiU cease. An effort to
secure a third term, or to establish die
tatorship cannot reasonably be lappre-
hended, and CONSEQUENTLY comparison
of probabilities offers US merely a blank
on one hand or four years of undein-
able activity on the other. That wise
people, whose usages we have generally
followed, had occasion to pass through
transitional period somewhat similar
to that now affecting our Southern in-
terests. In their action at that time we
could find safe precedents for course
of policy which would promptly rein
state Southern prosperity. Buff there
be one among the master spirtS of the
age who, even if inclined, could not
adopt that policy, it is Mr.. Greeley
The success of Gen. Grant might inootUe
no important consequences, but that of
lfr. Greedy loouLd co11sec.dte the prdc-
tices referred to, achich i1a my opinion
are absolutely incompatible acith tte per-
s11a,ae2cy Gf republican i,astit,tin,1s-
In saying this, it is not intended
simply to pronounce for anti-protec-
ZIONIST ideas. That question is left un-
touched. If the support of our home
manufactures against foreign competi-
tiOn is to be regarded as sound policy,
it can be afforded as needful by much
simpler, less expensive and far less
process than our over
grown customs establishment. The
true policy is national regeneration. 1t
is tar more comprehensive than mere
free trade. Its aim is to break the
seeptre of the trading politician and
the masses. Four-fifths of
the governmental Intervention now
practiced in carrying on the affairs of
society should be dispensed with. Ex-
isting Indebtedness should, indeed, be
held sacred, and to the last cent faith
fully redeemed; but the power of bor-
u.
either by paper issues Or otherwise,
should be absolutely annulled. Neither
the Federal government, nor down to
the smallest division of State, should
possess it. 1t is inconsistent with the
of free republican institu-
tons. 1t is the very life blood Of aris-
tocratic rule, for it fetterS labor as the
of capital. In modern times
it furnishes the aliment indispensable
to war. Without that, the most shock
ing of all national crimes and calami-
ties would be impossible.
Such comprehensive advances in
civilization as are here suggested may
be as syetimpracticable in the old world. !
If so the fact only proves that ours is |
the high and holy mission of first ma
king them. Separated by wide ocean
from any powerful nation, mighty in |
the numbers and intelligence of our |
people, and through their deep and |
abiding interest in their country's well
are, no external enemy dare assault us. |
Indeed tits manifest to uaperverted |
.eason that the adoption of efficient |
,urbs upon official power is alone need
I'd to render this great continent the |
lbode of peace and of human happi- |
less on scale of SURPRISING magnitude. |
Even if defensive wars be necessary |
evils, the power of borrowing money |
hOuld not be conceded on that account. |
It must be admitted that they cannot |
,e carried on without vast outlays, but |
money is not more necessary than men.
As the generation which wages war |
must furnish the warrior, why can it
nf frIrr ich hn w fO al ~
md arm him. 1t is compelled to furn-
and his belligerent opera
ions. Posterity cannot fight our bat
les, nor is there any necessity that pos
erity should pay the cost of them.-
Dur own young men must do the fight
ng; it is equally in the power of our
I'D men to do the paying. "Pay as you
,o," is an old maxim not less sound in
POLITICAL economy than in private affairs.
f adopted peculation must cease to
,ervert the government, and war could
10 longer lend legal sanction to cruelty
nd oppression. And if, as some con-
end. war is the normal condition of
posterity will have its own
vars to sustain, and it is therefore un-
easonable to burthen posterity with
lebt for the cost of ours.
My deep aversion to all these things
las induced me to encourage the move
nent which you represent, and doubt
ass my name will be presented for your
as nominee. In that
vent beg leave respectfully to with
raw it. The strength and emphasis
which have marked the language en-
loyed by some gentlemen in address,
ng me on this subject must be my ex-
use for the remarks which follow.
Success should, of course, be an object
a the present condition of affairs
)ther leadership will afford better
respect of attaining it. A choice can
e made from many equally reliable as
probably more capable of