The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-26

assignats Of Robespierre to the gold and
silver of Napoleon. Rather than amend the
necessary but unfortunate war legisla-
ton about currency we give it new
life I; rather than build up our credit
in Europe we trife with it, and are content to
be dishonored with Brazil and Spain and
Turkey. instead of challenging the pre-emi-
nence of France and England. We admit to
other nations that, while we make any sac
rifice to defend our empire and our flag, we
are Indifferent to our fame. An example to ma
tons in our dealings with slavery and in our
generous amnesty after the war, we are the
sorrow and wonder of the world in our neglect
of the national credit. So, with our wealth,
our resources, our activity, our marvellous
triumphs in war, as well as in science and
industry and art; in the cities we have built,
the roads and canals we have completed, our
gold and silver and copper, our wheat and
oil and corn, our prosperity, our achieve
ments and the generous freedom of our
institutions, we are despised people. And it
because Of the spirit that holds power in
Washington. and which now reigns over that
Babylon of demagogism, timidity and can't
the House of Representatives.
From the House We appeal to the Senate
Now is the time to see if we really have o
Senate, high, intelligent, conservative
power of the State, intended by the consti-
tuition for emergencies like the present, when
the sentiment of the country is blinded by
tornado of ignorance and cupidity. For
this is only tornado, after all, and there will
be clear sunshine tomorrow, and none will
know better than the complying people
how absurd and irresolute their leaders
proved in the hour of peril The Senate is
supposed to live in o more serene atmosphere
than the House-above the clouds and storms,
as it were-competent to guide the people in
emergencies like these, because they are not
directly responsible to the people. We appeal
then to the Senate, not with much hope, because
our advices from Washington lead us to fear
that even that body has passed beyond the
influence of reason. Senators should remem-
Der that now comes the test to try whether
their Senate be current gold indeed; whether
in our Republica Senate will realize the wishes
of the fathers; whether it is really an indie
pendent calm, intrepid power, with the
strength to do right in spite of the
clamor of to-day, confident of the joyous and
grateful enthusiasm of tomorrow. But
should the Senate fail, as seems probable,
and prove to be merely less noisy fragment
of tumultuous and unreasoning House, then
our last hope is in the President. If this in
fation measure comes to the President he has
q signally splendid opportunity to vindicate the
reliance of the past and win renewed conf
dence in the future He has an opportunity
like that of Washington, when the Jay treaty
was proposed; like Jefferson, when Louisiana
was annexed; like jackson, when South
Carolina threatened notification; like Lincoln,
when emancipation was proclaimed Will
the President be equal TO this responsibility?
He has never yet failed when the emergency
came, not even during the panic, when mad
ness and frenzy ruled the hour. He was then
as serene and resolute as during the dark days
of the Wilderness. Our hope now is that he
will be true to this occasion and meet the
honest wishes of the people by vetoing all
schemes for imitation thus performing an act
of courageous patriotism worthy of the noblest
acts OF Washington, jackson and Lincoln.