New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-03-26
ttsi+t s;eKsirIc;i1nE.!s. ,L'.s Cav
crfs:sessi vs.. Elae s'3GEsir.

History is repeating ITSELF" and we claim
full credit for the originality Of this discovery.
A few years ago the public ear was assailed
"month in and month OUT on the unconstitu-
tionality of every measure on the part OF tic
Government designed to devclopc the re-
sources of the country, and benefit the peo-
pie. Internal Improvements even OF rivers
and harbors was denounced gross infringe
ment of the Constitution. Even lighthouses
for the protection Of the lives of those who go
down TO the sea, and for the preservation flour
ships were condemned. And as FOR making
national roads, canals and any other lines or
means OF inter-communication, the idea was
assaulted as little less than high treason.
Then it was the Democratic party who i'll
sisted on this strict construction OF the Con
stitution.
But times have changed and people have
changed with them. Now it is the Rcpubli-
can party which is playing the old dema-
goguc game to prevent the Government from
doing anything to benefit and honor the
country and promote the welfare ofthc people.
Republican papers, especially that portion OF
them which is playing the role Of reiOrmers,
economists and Independents, are dcnounc-
ing every expenditure of money, unless for
their own State, not absolutely necessary Tor
the existence Of the Government. The war
that has been commenced upon the army and
navy and the civil service of the Govern
ment, is only part Of the programme. The
policy Of appropIating Government lands
toward developing the resources Of the
country and promoting the general interests
Of the people has already been abandoned.
River and harbOr Improvements, light
houses, and such like extravagances, viii
come next. They have only been spared
because their States are all directly interested
in them. But when they get all they want,
the tVpe viii be changed, and appropriations
for these pulsssea wiz be denounced as I'M
lawful and dangerous, leaving ''priyote
enterprise'' TO protect its own shi!a.
In President Lincoln's axiom that the
Government is Of the people, for the people,
and by the people, they have 10 faith.
Their theory is that the Government has
nothing in common with the people, and that
its only duty is to take care Of Itself, and
let the people take care Of themselves. IN
army and navy, just enough to keep the
people in subsection, may be toleretad be-
cause il is for the interest Of the Government.
But any measures like honoring the memory
Of the Father Of his Country, and avert
national disgrace, because it may cost 4
few hundred dollars, Is secuted rs a thing not
to be entertained.
And the proposition to extend the AID of
the Government to a great national or inter-
national exposition that will be worth to
the people ten-iold all it will cost, anlrcllect
lasting rcnown on the country, is denounced
as shameless attempt to swindie the coun-
try. And SO of every other measure not
required to keep the wheels OF Government
in motion. Every effort is made TO dig q
deep gulf between the people and the Coy
eminent, and destroy every feeling of SYM
patty, mutual interest, and mutual depend
ence.
We believe this is working serious injury
to the Government, and that it has other
functions than those Of self-preservation
merely. We believe there are entcrpris es
that will not only justify, but which demand
the aid Of the Government. Among others,
VIC believe it should relieve the commerce
of the lakes and the Gov ernnlcnt Of its
dependence on a foreign public improve
ment to reach the Atlantic. But we do
not propose to enter into an argument in
favor of internal improvement. We only
designed to condemn the policy which is so
well calculated to ALLEVIATE the people to-
ward the Governm ent.
Periodicals.