New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-04-13

this reason 1 stand here, to appeal with You
70 an honest and enlightened public opinion
We have emerged from great civil war. seven years
ago. this month"; after long and bloody struggles e nag
OF the Republic fOated VIGOROUSLY over the ast stos
hold Of the Rebellion. Armed resistance 70 inc Na'
Government, in largely organized FORM ceaSeu' an
important period in the development OF our halou" o
closed, and commenced
TUE PRoBIEMs AMERICAN rOLf1lcs,
Each period Of our history has its own peculiar PROV
lem to solve to which political par les must Apply 'ne
energies 20 maintain the moral 9a' OF tner eAS'on0o
spd their usefulness During the evil war the supreme
probe was to save the existence ana 70 preserve 'ne
SnteUrity of the Republic To this all oer interests anu
objects became for the time being suporuh"'e AH''
problem was successfully solved
When the Rebellion overcome, we entered upon
evV field OF action problems confronted us In the
frst place we had 10 settle the logical and legitimate
res ats OF the IN such manner as TO protect them
against the danger Of reactonary attempts That settle
ent also was successfully effected partly by extraord
nary measures 1t was embodied so firmly in the Con-
stuon the country 10 form an insuperable barrier
70 subversive movements. All patriotic citizens agree
that IL shall and must be maintained, honorary anu III
good faith settlement which was IoglcaI Necessity
and is In harmony with the fundamental principles I'M
deriving free institutions, and with the enlightened ana
humane spirit OF the century. And all sensible men
agree that this settlement viii stand, and that any
attempt to overthrow it will inevitably result in disas
tTous failure.
Thus the basis OF new order OF things firmly and
securely laid 1t remained 10 clear away the rubbish
and 70 develop that order Of things IN accordance
with the requirements of truly free Institutions 10 Ober-
ate differences and annoses OF the past 10 revive
healthy national spirit, and the consciousness OF oe
longing together among all classes Of our population,
so "a 70 roinstate a free public opinion HsVcau
OF force as the controlling power in our government
70 restore the rule Of sound constitutional principles;
10 eanate the popular respect for the law to crush
corrupton wherever it may appear; Ia raise the stand
ard OF morality political life To secure genuine
reform OF our system Of taxation, so that its burdens
shall lie adjusted 10 principles Of justice ana equay
In one word 70 preserve this Government not only as
repuhc in form and name, hut in spirit and essence
and IN It's elevating and enrolling influences upon the
character the people, well their material pros
perity. -. ~ s-r, ,,,v>yr
The whole question Of economic reform demands an
elaborate consideration for which shall not now nave
opportunity l shall merely state my CONVICTION 'ha'
NOT only IN continued political disabilities not ohN III
fbe tendency 30 disregard constitutional limitations not
only in the Of patronage, but also In our methods
If aviation the needs and habits Of the war have left
behind them grave evils. prominent among them the
practice adjusting taxes not with sole regard 10 the
needs OF whole people, but with intent 70 secure
special advantages impOrtunate interests Inc orou
principe laid down in the call for the Cincinnati Con-
vcntion that needless burdens shall not be imposed
upon he people and genuine tarlH reform III accoi"
ance with that principle will rid our system OF a1aIon
of many Of its greatest abuses, and REFUSAL 10 reeoee
this principle will not satisfy the demands OF puDc
welfare or public opinion Accustomed to look ONLY al
tbe ends 10 be accomplished and TO care little about the
dangerous means employed the habits Of war nsensloy
insinuated themselves into the practices Of peace.
Look at the young men who from 10 to II years
old when the war broke out they are now from y 70
d constituting one full third Of voting population
What school have they gone throughf They have
scarcey ever seen heard anything Of the Constu-
tionaI restraints of power What they have heard ana
seen was only bold assumption ana strong exercise OF
Governmental authority. They were taught to believe
in its necessity submit TO it, TO justify H. to Md H.
That Is the only tradition and experience under which
they have grown up
such were the duties imposing themselves upon the
arty in power after the close Of the waruties worthy
OF the highest ambition OF organization Of patriotic
They could be appreciated and fulfilled only the
autbority alluements OF power anu the Sc
nciou of selfish party interest those duties were
mot appreciated and fulfilled II becomes patriotic CIT
4zens TO look for means by which Their arpIeeaOn
and fulfment can be secured without regard 70 nthe
pary int And in this spirit speak TO YOU LOT tne
ST eat interests OF the repuDnc nave 4I"ays O - ~
something higher than party aIeglance. a. 4, ~ w. ~
bring about peace founded upon recOhcILh'Iol
return OF that cordially Offeeng which alone can hoa
could not accomplished by mere means OF force ~
demanded policy rising above all narrOW-Inihued re-
sentments policy dictated by something higher tnaA
F"' THE Duty OF AMNESTY.
Their was Justification for restrictive measures as
long "A the legitimate results Of the were not CON
additionally assured Then that justification ceased
and we the vctOrs in the civil conflict were called
upon by all considerations of patriotism and political
wisdom % make the people feel that in al our
measures OF war and policy had been guided by the
OF the State and not by feelings OF resent
meut vlndictveness that we desired TO oe 10 them
haughty c0nquerors but sincere anu Weil-neaIlhg
friends they might the faS OF the Republic
not the symbol of defeat and degradation but the SYM
BIOL OF rights protection equally guaranteed TO them
rs al others that they might iee once more tAe
pride and patriotic inspirations OF iuI Am rcan c
Zenshp. 800 -,
mental generosity, but measure OF the palnest po.
iuoal Years have elapsed since the results OF
guarantees, and the general amnesty has not been
granted yet Down TO this very day large ana lnnuen-
public interest as II is administered Dy popular
eminent business OF theirs ana thaJ TINS great
republic Is no republic OF equaI Eghts ior t st
down this very day the Jealousy OF the races Is sun
nourished by the fact that MANY and by no means the
unwOrthcst, white men are deprived OF p0huca rights
aud DR. yleges which the black the late slave en-
mud demagOgue, who sptculdJes upon the lguoIhAce
OF his followers, is facilitated corruption, rob
berry and decentralization are fostercd the return
of good and honest government II inpeded a cDeeIIu
and general acceptance and successful development OF
that minded policy which excludes from pubic
employment and repels from friendly cooperation
large class Of who have great an interest IN an
honest and successful administration OF pubic affairs
PRESIDENTIAL PRETESsEs CONCERNING AMNESTY.
II rs the President IL his last Message said good
word for amnesty. But find his most trusted and
powerful friends his oudest spokesmen throwing every
possible obstacle way and we have to hear yet of
the first instance when the outpoken enemy Of this
most necessary measure therefore treated and
sidered III opponent Of the AdlnlnisIatlon'
And on every possible occasion the Old battle
cries Of the civil are revived by them
as the watchWOrds OF present political
Old