Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-07-18

people; and yet, l would not hastily
force hasty resumption of specie pay
ment in this country. There is no more
delicate operation than return to the
payment of specie after the trade and
business of country have been tor ses-
eral years unduly stimulated by an ire
deemable paper currency. The imam
cal history of the United States and OF
England are full OF Instructive lessons
upon this point. Such result impru-
D, IDENTIFY pressed, must lead to general
stagnation of trade, to depreciation of
landed property, to fall in the price of
agricultural products, to reduction Of
WAGES. commercial and manufacturing
distress, and to ruinoQs sacrifices Of
property The currency of country
should be adequate to but not in excess
of its wants. When such excess takes
place, depreciation. follows. The vol
ume of paper currency now in this
country under the late law of Congress
ought to be fully adequate to the de-
mands Of its business, ii properly dis
tributed. In our present condition, l
would not be disposed either to expand
or contract the circulation, but would
seek to equa!ize its distribution, in the
full confidence that in the course Of
few years, our increasing population,
reviving commerce, growing manufac-
lures, and expanding agriculture, will,
bring the present volume of paper cur
I g., nd
make the transition from paper to a
specie currency, so natural and easy, rs
to produce no disturbance in the trade
and business of the country.
l am opposed to the ciril rights Dill
now pending before Congress. ! look
upon it as the work of theorists having
no practical knowledge of the subject
upon which they propose to legislate.
If their intentions are good, their
knowledge is defective. ] am not op-
posed to the full enjoyment of the col
ored citizen of all his civil and political
rights. Ny course in the Constitutional
Convention of West Virginia will speak
for itself upon this subject; but this at
tempt by Legislation to pervert the
fourteenth amendment to the Constitu
ton, and to extend it beyond its true
construction as defined by the supreme
court of the United States, will be
found in its operation, not only to de-
stroy the free school system in every
State south of Mason and nixons line,
but will in other respects, be highly in
furious to the comfort aud happiness Of
the colored race.
am no enemy to railroads On the
contrary, ! believe they have exercised
an extraordinary influence in develop
inc the resources of this nation, and in
binding all its parts into one harmonl-
Gus whole; still, it is now manifested
that they have acquired, by their com
bined capital and influence, power in
this country which places them beyond
the restraints of their original charters;
and that sound policy and stern necessi-
ty demands that some power equal to
the emergency shall be exerted over
them, as highways Of commerce, to pro
tect the interests Of the people from the
effects of extortion and monopoly.
l am opposed TO all increase OF sala-
ries: to all contracts, subsidies and prl-
vate loans made under the authority OF
Congress; and ref.r TO my pre-
vions RECORD in Congress during
period of eight years to show a uniform
negative votes on all such propositions;
and now look back on these votes,
with the light which subsequent expe-
rienee has cast upon them, With peculiar
satisfaction.
The political eareep of Presilcnt
Grant is now Drawing to a close If |
should have the honor to represent You
in the pe&t Congress-, it would embrace
but the two remaining years Of his adj
ministration. / am not one of those
who believe that he would ever offer
such SHOCK to the sentiment OF this
country as to be candidate for third
term. | reject the idea as dream of
the PARASITE, or the fear OF tho alarmiSt.
We have not yc, sunk SO low as "that
Romes wide wall encompass but one
Dn,.." shall have no motive there
fore either 10 tlatter or to assall his al
ministraton, So far as his acts and
Recommendations tend To the purliica-
ton of the country, to the advancement
Of its interests, and to the elevation ct
its name home and abroad, | will give
to all such acts and recommendations
all earnest and CORDIAL spppGt. If,
however,, they be calculated to advance
favorites at the expense Of the nation;
to confer jobs and contracts to the inlu-
ry of the treasury; to promote extrava-
cance and corruption, and to break
down the cherished traditions of the
fathers of our republic, shall resist
them with all the energy within my
power.
am opposed to the act recently
passed by Go. gress, yesting certain Ju-
deal powers in the courts Of the Dis
trict of Columbia, in conflict with the
freedom of the press, and the liberty OF
the citizens, and would vote for its i'm
mediate repeal.
would feel it my duty. as a repre-
sentative in Congress, to endeavor to
reconstruct the fallen fortunes OF Har-
per's Ferry; to extend the navigation OF
the Monongahela to confer upon the
eastern division of this State, its just
participation in the benefits of the Fed