Ellsworth American., 1874-07-02
Remarks Of Hon. Seth L. Milliken OF
Belfast, at the Congressional District
Convention at Ellsworth

eApansloD, ana thu our clrcul at1on should lie
brought TO gold basis as soon as this can he
done without too much and too sudden disturb
ance Of the business Of the country. This will
begin TO be done just when those In high places
setting the example, the people. shall learn 20
eXpend less than they earn. II is the extraya.
gance of the nation which is more than any,
thing else, its bane and its keeping it in debt
Holland is rich not because she produces
more than other nations but because OF what
she produces, she saves a part
W hen We survey our countrv's capacity Of
production. It's prospect of wealth is startling.
Yes almost alarming for we NAV grow rich
too fast for the safety of our institutions and the
sterling manhood Of our people.
But until We learn economy and BY the exer-
else OF ii, gradually bring our imports 10 a fig
ure below the value Of our exports, our finances
will be unsatisfactory
Put into execution whatever plans YOU may
human ingenuity has never devised and never
can devise the machinery which shall make a
nation grow rich, while its expenditures ex-
eeed the value Of its productions.
Economy Is the KEY 10 unlock our financial
embarrassments. Let Presidents let national
legislators, let all In places Of influence teach
IL by precept and example. let the people learn
and practice il and our debts will soon be paid
and our monetary troubles cease.
A few words upon the general question.
A. - nDt pUlN lDat vigilance Tie
price OF liberty, but 1t i equally the price of
continued success. Whether it be with indi-
.iduais. seets, governments, or political parties.
the fact Is the same
One battle is won. not for the yictors to rest
upon their laurels, but only TO prepare for
another struggle, and the lives of parties as the
lives Of men, are made up OF a series of con-
tests, followed by victories or defeats. With
out doubt these successive and for ever recur-
ing struggles are necessary TO political health
and purity, as the continual stirring Of the
ocean by the winds and tides is required to save
II from the foulness that follows staguation.-
And let II be remembered that not in the storm
and strife Is the just cause in most immincn,
danger, but In those lulls before the tsml,e.i
which 10 the careless and unwise observer give
indications on every hand Of safety and peace
We have seen enough within our own memo
ries 10 teach US that when party lines are but
loosely drawn and issues not sharply defined,
when they are not made prominent and brought
out clearly cut before the people by discussion.
then have our enemies come most nearly 10
success, and we stood closely upon the brink Of
defeat.
such time ii is now. There Il no question
Of the rights and liberties OF a race TO reach
down and take hold Of our convictions; there is
no overt attack upon the couniry's integrity to
fire hearts, there is no Presidential election by
It's impetus 10 sweep Us on 10 overwhelming
victory.
We must depend to-day upon the peoples
faith grounded upon our past record aud our
present attitude and position, in our VIII and
ability to grapple successfully the new prob
lens which are presenting themselves to the
nation, and 10 guard faithfully the Interests,
which. II we continue in power. shall be COM
niffed 10 our hands. In these respects how
stand We. We have right 10 point the coun-
try to our record. not that we would draw up
on the past; not that we would make all We
have heretofore done of great and good an ex-
cuse Tor shortcomings now or hereafter; but
a man cites his career. IL II has bccn good
one. 10 indicate that his future irustworthincss
may BE- relied upon, 80 we say that the charac-
ter OF the Republican party from it, birth down
TO to-day. is evidence. not proof that under 1t.
control the government of the country Will
hereafter be administered wisely and WE'LL
Upon this proposition how i ii with us-iarc
We accept such an issue: What rccord have
We made: How does II compare with our oI-
ponenis: When the future historian shall
write the events Of this generation, he will
not fail to make Il clear tnai the grandesi and
proudest page, Of American history were mad
by the Republican party OF these times. that
through u civil war OF unprecedented magni-
iude and herceness. that party triumphSnuy
carried the nation, and then while the unclear-
ed smoke Of battle vet clouded the political
hesyens.-while the horizon was sill murky
and blackened. taking the administration. into
it. hands, led the country through ways intri-
cate and difficult. and beset with many danger-.
10 the clear light and beautiful field. Of pros
pcrltY and peace, making thus the brightest
pages in the history OF American statesman
ship.
were making this splendid effort for freedom
and country, that has shed lusire upon the Am
erican name and upon mankind,
Were they or not fighting in the field or aid
ing at home 10 drag their country's flag in the
dust Of dishonorable defeat, or subsequently,
throwing every possible stumbling block In
the way Of every effort 10 secure the nation.
re- nf h.sr.. ~ 1
sacrifices. And are we not the same party We
were IN lsGl and 1855. Are they less the same
than they then were.
What degeneracy have we shown that We
should lose the nations confidence once 80
richly earned. What proof. Of reform have
they exhibited. that they should now inspire a
confidence which they 50 mserably and crimi-
nally lost In word what have they done
and what have We done that the table. should
be turned upon uss
Let Us see. Are we not comDos~i Of nsariv
the same great mass of patriotic and true men
that we We're: How have our purposes or our
powers changed. What Is our condition To-
day! Ii is this that whatever short coming.
may have been shown by few Of those in
places Of trust, the party itself is faithful and
true, and its great heart beats as patriotically
and rs deyotedly TO the nations welfare. and
with as much pride in the country's honor and
glory, as when it organized our loyal forces.
pucked down treason from its chosen citadel
of defence, and hurled il TO the depths of eternal
death and disgrace.
IL false leaders have been found commanding
lts ranks. 1t has not attempted 10 shield them.
but has cast them adrift 80 soon a. il could
Teach them.
If corruption has existed among its sdher-
ents, II has not endeavored TO conceal it, but
has brought its putrid body TO the light Ii has
been eminently party OF investigation and
punishment, sparing not its own friends. nor
iaforing them, but most invariably when it has
found them with their arms into the treasury
OF the nation up 10 their elbows, finding some
OF our enemies beside them. in up TO their
shoulders.
When Credit Mobilier abuses have been
thrust into Congress, their projectors and
participants have been driven out. dishonored
10 private life and in some instances TO the
grave.
When members Of the national legislature
who have lived SO long in the binding fog and
thievish masma of Washington a. TO forget
the pure Air that lust out over the hills, stirs
among the people, have dared, under the pre-
tense Of authority conferred upon themselves.
by themselves, 10 touch improperly the sacred
treasure OF the nation. every Republican news
paper and orator in the land has denounced
and pursued them, until kicked by the thick
soies Of Republican sentiment, they who stole
have been fain TO sneak back with their ill.,
gotten gains 10 refund them. and they who sa,
by in silence and saw the then unrebuked have
been glad to cry aloud for restoration
nave our opponent. ever done so much as
this. Did they ever do it in the days OF their
power, though they had abundant occasion for
IL: And is ii not significant that the back
salary abuse was not only participated in by
Larger percentage Of Democrats than Republi-
cans, but was also denounced by much Larger
percentage Of the Republican than Of the Demo-
cratic press.
Indeed almost the entire Republican press of
the country thundered q rebuke against il. In
word the rank and file Of the party are hon
est and true to-day rs when they were a torn
bleeding and endangered country's only re-
lance, and they will take care Of their public
servants right or wrong. "when they are
right they will keep them right. when they are
wrong they will make them right" or reduce
them 10 the condition Of degraded and dis.
graced priyates, filling their places with tried
and true men from the ranks. This alternative.
Maine has not been forced to resort to. Let us
be thankful that those upon whom she has
conferred the trust Of Office. and especially her
delegation in Congress have so acted as TO be a
credit to themselves, an honor to this con-
sdtuency, and proud example for the nation
to initiate. They have recognized the fact that
the same virtues which gave power to their
party must continue TO be exercised in order
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