Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-20
ADDRESS OF THE REPUBLICAN, CON
GRESSfONAL COMMITTEE.

tiers of the republican party. 1t is long
document, dealing with many years of
our political history, and touching upon
the most important political events in the
period brought under discussion.
The Committee first make an exposition
of democratic craftsmanship as it existed
before the republican party came into
power. Under their hand it makes an
exhibit not much like the eulogies passed
upon democratic administrations before
the war by democrats of these days.
The boast SO often heard of the cheap
administrations in democratic times is
shown to be very poorly founded. If the
expenses were not great, neither did the
government take any measures to add to
the public prosperity or the greatness Of
the nation. During these cheap admins
trations the government was obliged to
resort to loans several times for its ordina.
ny expenses. According TO what they did
they were costly. They pursued policy
dictated by the Slave Power, and when o
change of administration came it was
found that treason had been at work in
the very Capitol and under the shelter of
a democratic administration.
When the republicans came into power
the credit of the nation was not what it is
now, although we have debt of more
than two billion dollars standing agains.
us. The bonds of the government were
sold in Feb. 1861 for "a cents on the dol
lar. while the same bonds sold in June,
1874 as high as 122 IL cents on the dollar
in currency, or fraction over 10 in gold.
In the last thirteen years the republican
party has overthrown the most gigantic
rebellion of modern times, it has enamel.
pated four millions of human beings and
given them civil and political rights, and
in the same time our industries and
internal commerce and our railroads have
wonderfully developed. Our exports of
domestic commodities in 1860 amounted
in value to but S373, 900, while in
1873 they ran up TO $649, 000,00o In the
midst of war the country has grown in
power. The material interests OF the peo-
pie have been taken care of. The Allan
tic and Pacific are united by rail, while
we have 4l,000 more miles of railroad in
operation at the close of 1873 than in 1861,
more than double what we had when Mr.
Buchanan left the Presidential chair
1t is impossible in comparing the condi-
ton of the country as it was in democrat
ic times with its condition now, not to be
impressed with the superiority of republi-
can craftsmanship and management as
evinced by results. Tho price of our
bonds in '6l as compared with the price
in "a is certain test of the rise in our
national credit. and this too is the test of
the increase of our material prosperity
In thirteen years the republicans have
never been forced to resort to loans except
by the exigencies ofwar. but the democrats
repeatedly resorted to loans in time of
peace. In six years taxes have been re-
mitted in the aggregate to the amount of
more than 100000, 900 annually, while
in the same time the principal of the pub
lie debt has been reduced in the sum of
1856, 100000. The treasury note in March
1869 was worth but &c 2-10 per cent. in
gold, and in March last it was worth
80 2-10 per cent. Finally the cost of the
government. excluding expenditures fol
improvements and disbursements made
necessary to meet obligations imposed on
us by the rebellion, was less per capita
during the last fiscal year than during the
year ending June 1860 The Committee
say 1t is doubtless true that the repubi-
cans are not perfect, but during the thir-
teen years they have controlled the gov
eminent they have done more to raise the
country in true national greatness than
any country was ever before raised in the
same length of time, and in spite of bad
men who may have found shelter in the
party. While party purity is desirable,
they do no think it can be promoted by
reinforcing the eifete democracy, who
for forty years held the power of the gov
ernment in their hands and achieved moth
ing noble in all that time.
The Address earnestly appeals to re-
publicans to send their best and ablest
representatives to Congress, not demo-
Gratis but republicans No matter" il
says, "what the individual may call HIM
self. or what disguise he may wear, he
will be republican or democrat. So
far as Maine is concerned we have acted
in accordance with this appeal, but there
are other States where it may yet avail |
something. 1t is good thing to be re-
minded occasionally of party obligations,
and taught to beware of unsound men
and all movements that tend to disorgani. |
zaiion and the profit of the opposition. |
Maine republicans, however, need but
little advice in that direction. The re-
nomination of our entire delegation in
Congress is an evidence that we proposc
TO fight 1t out on the line that turns Meth |