Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-03-19
The Past and the Future.

AZ some OlutE tlilt ItNuI 10 AulHs
The Past and the Future.
Nothing could more sirikingy illustrate
the rapid changes through which our coun-
try is passing, or the folly of cliuging blind
y to the dead past, than the questions set
forth in the two inaugural addresses of
President Graut
Four years ago the immediate questions
OF the future related to the settlement Of
the moral aud political problems growing out
Of the war The rebellion had been sub
dued, but the reconstruction Of the rebel |
lious States had not been completed The
blacks had been cmaucipated, but they had
not been eulranchised The security Of the
nation against renewed attack had been
discussed, but its guarantees had not been
perfected These problems constituted the
chief topics Of the Presidents first inaugu.
raj, and have embodied the great work Of
/ SVhEtpoo NuilhS NHc meantime. / uC Ill-
teenth Amendment has been mbedded in
the constitution all the States have been
fully reconstructed and restored, aud oiti.
zenshp has been made to cover all the
great races of the republic. This work has
been substantially flushed, and finished
well.
The last inaugural Of President Grant
sketches an entirely different class of ques.
tons, as being those which now demand at.
tcnron at the hands Of the American peo-
pie lie dwells, indeed, for moment up
on the necessity Of establishing equal civil
rights. He mas something to say in favor
of continuing the policy of justice to the
Indians. But in one paragraph he groups
together the salient and commanding sub.
jects to which his efforts will be directed,
aud they almost entirely relate. not to NOR.
al aud political questions, but 10 economic
problems and such as concern the material
welfare of the people. Beyond the general
expressions in favor Of cultiyating harmony
and good feeling between the different sec.
tons Of the country, and also with other
nations, they refer exclusively to the class
Of practical questions affecting trade and
commerce and industry. 1t is this out.
line to which we allude, as indicating the
great advance which the country has made.
r The first problem which the President
presents is that Of restoring our currency
to the standard of gold. This is no easy
task, as We have already found 1t has
E perplexed the wisdom aud taxed the re.
sources and cost the heavy sacrifices Of all
the leading nations which have been placed
in similar situation. We indulge no high
hopes as to its speedy solution. The country
, IS not in the temper to try serious and direct
efforts in this direction-it would rather float
4 easily and comfortably along as at present
But the attempt must be made some time
= and the sooner We begin 10 study its Gle
! ments and conditions the better. The
President deserves thanks for placing it il
the front. The second question that h,
presents is that Of constructing cheap routei
/, Of transit 50 as to stimulate production anC
3 cheaper consumption. The object is one
e whose attainment is emnently desirable
, the means of securing it involve question
which must be carefully pondered.
4 The next question Of this character, a
!, suggested by the President, is that of re
~ establishing our commerce and share in ih
ia carrying trade on the ocean and the las
A relates to the encouragement and protection
Ia OF our industry so as to increase our OK
~ ports, and make a more favorable balance
A All Of these, as will he seen are eminent
practical problems, They vitality concer
q the material welfare Of the people. Thei
70 wise treatment will give the nation an i'm
.. pulse towards prosperous career tran.
ID ccnding anything it has before enjoyed, an
Il, it is fortunate that the settlement of othe
90 questions permits us now to pass to til
J., consideration Of these