Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-04-24
THE vETO-7TS EFFECT.


The veto message Of President Grant is
unexceptionable in tone and unanswera-
BILE in argument. Throughout it bears
The impress of honest conviction, while
it appeals with irresistible force in be-
halt of the position taken by the President
The bill was not only Objectionable in
principle, but it was opposed to the decla-
rations of the republican party in its con-
ventions, to the action of Congress au-
thoritaively expressed, and to the opinions
and recommendations of the President in
his messages. The veto is not therefore
hasty. personal, arbitrary act, but is the
result of long established convictions in
the breast of the President, often eX-
pressed in public. and of principles sup
ported by the platform Of the party which
elected him. Infiationists cannot justly COM
plain that he deceived them, for he was
committed against the bill in substance be-
fore ever it was brought forth, and had he
approved it he would have gone back upon
his own avowals all the way along from
the day of his first Inauguration. There
was but one course for him to take to be
consistent with himself and the record Of
his party, and that he followed squarcly,
firmly. with right on his side and the con-
seriousness Of duty performed.
In the struggle with the rebellion the
Union cause was long overhung with
clouds, so that many lost heart and began
to doubt of the ability of the government
to rise above the difficulties of the situa-
ton and save the country from dismem-
berment. The first lifting of the gloom
and darkness was when Grant captured
Vicksburg and planted the Union banner
above its ramparts. That was the turning
point in the rebellion Then northern
patriots felt that success was assured, that
the first step in the direction of ultimate
triumph had been won. This veto of
President Grant marks crisis in the fnan-
cial affairs of the country. 1t is to the
credit of the nation what the capture of
Vicksburg was to the Union cause. 1t is
the planting of the banner of sound cur
rency above the entertainments of the
enemies of national honor and faith. 1t
will take time and effort to reach the final
victory, but the heart of the nation is in
spired by the course of the President to
hope for complete success, and the work
will be accomplished in due season.
Hencsforth the infationists will become
weaker and their opponents stronger With
the President barring the way for the in
crease of lying paper promises to pay. no
advance can be made in that direction even
though the infationists appear to have at
present majority in Congress, and before
the Executive can be removed or changed
there will be so much progress made
towards sound and stable currency that
its opposers will be driven from the field.
To the republican party the veto is an
omen of great promise. 1t is pledge
that the party has entered upon the
way that will redeem its good name and
make it worthy of the continued conf
dence of the people. Its chief has set an
example that will draw to the republican
standard all those who owe it allegiance.
Members of Congress will be encouraged
to stand up for honest principles and pure
men in Office, for reform where needed,
for economy, for an efficient administra-
ton OF public affairs. Had the veto come
before the elections in New Hampshire
and Connecticut it would have saved those
States to the republicans. thas strength
ened the republican party in Maine thou
sands of votes. Every honest man Ct
whatever party gives the President thanks
for his fidelity to principle and the best
interests of the country. The laboring
men, the farmers, classes who would have
suffered the most by a new deluge of pa
per money, realize as well as capitalists
the benefit OF the veto, and rejoice over it.
There is not village or home in New
England that is not affected by it, none
where intelligence rules that does not ap
prove it and applaud the hand that kept
back the wave of imitation. In the west
and south an honest and courageous re-
publican press will put the matter in its
true light, and the people will support the
right at last. Their instincts of honesty
can be trusted, They rejected Pendleton-
ism with its specious promises of getting
rid of paying the public debt, and they
will reject this younger brother of the re-
pudiation family though there are homer
able names behind it.
In regard to business the veto should be
encouraging. The capitalist may VEN
ture his money in enterprises when the
currency is sound. If imitation were to
be the rule, encouraging gambling, spec
ulation, wild and visionary schemes. there
would be little safety in doing business,
and the amount of legitimate business
would shrink at the prospect. Now bust
ness men feel that the ground is firm be-
,aotl, thotr foot anj thew will frn ohoo1