The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-08-06
Correspondence of the Press.
HALIFAX, Nova SCOTIA,
.Jnlv 9th 1874

July 25th, 1874.
FRIEND HARRIS I'm glancing from
the window of the room in which
am now writing, 1 am forcibly re-
minded that 1 am stranger in a
strange land, for the first object that
meets my view is British ron-clad
man-of-war, fying at her foretop the
flag of British Admiral, fanked on.
either side by a number of similar
vessels, bearing the emblem OF Briton's
power and greatness. And in casting
my eye over the beautiful bay upon
which this city is situated, and along
the miles of docks, crowded with
vessels of every class and character, I
have vet to discover one bearing that
starry banner which is the pride of
every true American. Twenty years
ago on a visit to this city the case was
far different. Then, the greater num-
Der and by far the better portion of
the shipping in this port, carried the
American flag. 1 confess that this
changed appearance is humiliating to
me and naturally leads to the inquiry,
what has caused this remarkable
change? Why is it that twenty years,
which in the ordinary course of events
should strengthen and enlarge our
maratime resources and power, has
resulted in almost driving our COM
merce from the face of the deep. Our
Radical friends would have us believe
that the rebel cruisers are to blame
for all this, l think the true solution
can be traced to causes much nearer
home.-The tariff duties imposed on
everything that enters into the con-
struction of ship, from the timber
in her frame to the bunting (thanks to
the sainted Ben Butler) ranging from
so to 200 per cent. has placed it be-
yond the power of our merchants to
compete with merchants of other ma
tions in the construction or purchase
of vessels, and the carrying trade
An irredeemable currency and high
protective tariff, have wrought their
inevitable results in wasted and
destroyed commerce, our industries
paralyzed, armies of men and women
on the verge of starvation in country
teeming with all the resources a gen.
erous Providence could provide This
is a sad picture but nevertheless true.
Would that our people could be
brought to see the real cause of their
distress. 1t is not, as they vainly sup
pose, the result of the late panic, but
the panic was the legitimate result of
the vicious system inaugurated by the
party of great moral ideas. And no
permanent Improvement can be looked
for without radical change, and re-
turn to the old Democratic doctrine
and hard money-open the gates and
let our productions out; pay as yOw
90, in money, not in promises, and all
will be well.
1 had nearly forgotten to say that l
am enjoying the beautiful scenery and
bracing sea breeze for which this de-
lightfuIcountry is so justly celebrated.
A large number of Americans Gas our
people are called here) are visiting
this region to escape the heat and dust
of their more southern homes, and a
better location they could hardly ex-
pect to find. The people are peculiarly
generous and hOspitable, and welcome
their American cousins with a hearty
frankness. They seem little restive
under their yoke, with the Dominion
of Canada, and would greatly prefer
to join their fortunes with the great
Republic. l am assured of this from
my intercourse with the people. The.
expression is general and particularly
pronounced among the business and
professional classes. They are look
ing forward with great anxiety to the
adoption of treaty of reciprocity
which shall be just and equitable to
both countries. They have but faint
hope, however, of accomplishing so
desirable an object under the present
administration, as speaker Blaine has
foreshadowed in his recent speech, the
course likely to be pursued by the
present party in power, nothing liberal
or statesmanlike is looked for from
a party led and controlled by such
men as Blaine, Ben. Butler,- aud ST.
mon Cameron.
If you do not tire reading this ram
bling letter, perhaps l may perpetrate
another before l return. l shall
things closely and then
pour out in gin copiOessly.
Yours truly. d. @. G.