National Republican., 1874-05-08
THE CENTEENIAL BILL.
WHAT JOHN W. FoRNEY SAYS OF IT.
FAIIIIRR


WHAT JOHN W. FoRNEY SAYS OF IT'S
FAILURE.
The following editorial letter on the action
Of the House yesterday. on the Centennial
three-million appropriation bill was telegraphed
TO the Philadelphia Press last night by Colonel
j. W. Foney, the editor and proprietor Of
that newspaper:
WASHINGTON, May Z, 1874.
Directly after the vote in the House by which
the Centennial appropriation was defeated,
there was an immediate revolution of senti-
ment among the members. Every one seemed
to feel that q severe blow had been struck at
the great cause. The most violent antagonist
fthe bill manifestly felt that however sincere
his course he would find it difficult, first of all,
to Justify to himself and finally to explain 1t to
his constituents.
do not write to you to question motives.
That is always the meanest of revenge. The
wiser alternative is to present the controlling
influences which produced this unfortunate re-
suit. Undoubtedly the first of these was the
prevailing financial distress, proved by the
recent severe reductions of the salaries and
members of the officers of the Government.
Second, by the late veto of the President.
Thirdly, by the approaching autumnal Con-
gressional elections. Superadded to these was
the position assumed by many of the Demo-
cratic members from the Southern States, who
claimed that 80 long as Congress refused to
pass bill for universal amnesty; so long as It
refused to repeal the unfortunate act by which
Southerners who had served in the second war
with England, and in the war with Mexico,
who could not take the iron-clad oath, should
not receive their pension, and SO long as no
Southern man who served in or sympathized
with the rebellion could not be permitted like
his former slave to take advantage of the
homestead laws, they could not vote for an ap-
to the Centennial celebration.
The Western men were affected by the out
cry against further expenditures. Those who
voted against us from Massachusetts, did not
hesitate to quote the authority of Charles
Sumner as their motive. Mr.. Dawes, chairman
of the Ways and Means Committee, plead
large deficit in the Treasury, in which he was
cordially assisted by General Garfield, chair
man of the Committee on Appropriations.
The general paralysis Of trade added force to
these several arguments, and although there
was good deal 6f unfairhess in the maffner in
which they were represented; although Mr..
Cobb, Of Kansas, Mr.. Ward, of Chicago, and,
notably, Mr.. Hale, of Maine, transcended the
limits of fair debate in their unprovoked per-
sonalities, there is no doub. that under ordi-
nary circumstances the Recommendation of the
Special Centennial Committee would have pre-
vailed by very large majority. e..
In listening to these gentlemen one might
suppose that they spoke for people
without patriotism, and that Pennsylvania,
ton, asking the patronage of the Government
In furtherance of great speculation. But It
would be great mistake to be misled by the
that the representatives of the
people are indifferent to the inter-
national celebration of the Centennial. Had
you heard the great speeches OF Hon. William
D. Kelley, Hon. William P. Frye, and Joseph
R. Hawley, and witnessed their effect upon the
people in the galleries and the members on the
ioor, you would have been persuaded that the
IN honor of the close of our political
century is one sincerely cherished by our coun-
,rymen. 1t is simple justice to these gentle
men, and indeed to all their associates, to say
hat at no period in her Congressional history
lave we had a lofiier rhetoric and nobler elo-
luence and q more resistless logic.
The truth is that more than half of the pres
mt House of Representatives is mastered by
ear of its constituency, and this constituency
n turn has been embittered by the newspapers
Never before have been more impressed by
ho &c 81.
ecens experience. As have said, question
10 motives and am quite sure that reflection
will convince my associates Of the press that
persistent comments upon the objects and the
organization of the Centennial have been
It once cruel and unjust. Time and ex-
,erience will show to them that the men in
:harge of the Centennial machinery in Phila-
Ielphia are actuated by no selfish or sectional
consideration, and await the judgment of this
tribunal with unshaken confidence. 1t would |
'e simply monstrous if the proposition to CON-
nemorate the one hundredth anniversary of
ur national deliverance from oppression
hould be permitted to pass without mag
i6cent recognition at the hands OF grateful
eople.
In illustration of the certain vindicatiou of
he good cause could quote hundred express |
ions from the men who voted against the ap-
ropriation recommended by the special COM
llttee of the House. 81 regret" said one,
that am compelled to oppose you. But 1
are not do otherwise and expect reelection"
Pray postpone your appeal to Congress-" said
MOTHER" until the next session of Congress
nd will give you my support" "How can
ote for this bill, }" said a Southern man, "when |
he old men in my district who fought in the |
ccond war against Great Britain and In the |
var with Mexico, and their widows aud chill |
ren are deprived of their pensions" awe are
orne down with taxes" said Western man,
and although 1 am very anxious that the Cen |
ennial should be duly commemorated, 1 dare
ot support this BILL" "Here is my county
aper," said one man who had deliberately and
pledged his vote, Sand see what it |
ays against the Centennial"
1t is useless to oppose reason and patriotism |
D such prejudices, and it is quite useless to in
ulge in harsh recrimination. Still more dan |
erous would be a resort to a sectional argu- |
lent. For as you will perceive, the %
otes thrown in favor of the bill came
rom the East, and the West, and the South,
nd the Middle States; the 1873 votes against |
be bill came from the same sections. Nor |
an any complaint be raised against the volun- |
GERS who assisted our friends in Congress. |
ike our united delegation from Pennsylvania,
hey were all animated by the same generous |
nd selfsacrifcing spirit. No fault can be laid
t the door of any of our friends In Congress or
ut of it. President Grant was our steady
hampton from the first, and so was every
member of his Cabinet, though justice requires
hat It should be said that Mr.. Fish, by COM
cling the bill which is still hanging in the |
enate, has been q serious obstacle to the
rogress of the great movement.
Had he not amended his instructions under
he act Of 1871, and thereby necessitated fur
her legislation, the work itself would now be
ar under way. write these words without
he slightest unkind feeling, knowing right
Tell the intense disappointment Of my Pennsyl-
anis readers. They have given so much, and
o royalty, and so freely that can well imagine |
ow they have received this saddening intelli- |
enee. They must not be cast down. The OBJ |
lgation to the memory Of the one hundredth |
anniversary of American independence is laid |
'rimahly and heavily upon them. It cannot
e evaded; it must be discharged. 1t is duty |
evolved upon other States, and by solemn |