New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-06

n has se..pled to me ft that on this OCCASION tho
opinions of the great Commonwealth We represent,
which is largely Interested In these questions,
should be declared ON the side ofsound fDaDce pub
lie integrity, and national honor; and, In making
this communication the medium OF an authentic OK
preston The subject follow tho example, on
similar OCCASIONS Of several Of the most ilusrous
OF my predecessors
RESULTS DURING TEN YEARS or PEACE.
II Is now almost ten years since the civil war
ceased. That period ought to have suhiced to renew
productive industries 10 repair the wastes OF
accumulated capital. and to restore 10 people =
sound and durable prosperity. BntaB indispensable
condition Of such results was energy. skill and coon
Orny in production and fTugality in public and pri
vate consumption.
MIsUsED POWERS or FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
The Federal Government has all the while been
tho greatest single power in the country to influence
results. not only by it's own vast hscaI oDeratons.s
dominion over the currency and tho business of bank
Ing and the effect of its transactions on investments
of capital and on the temporary conditions Of the
money market but by the ascendeDcy it acquired
during period of public danger over public opinion
md over the conduct of individuals. IL is TO be de-
plored that this great capacity for controlling action
and for leadership has not conducted as to better re-
suits.
The period has been characterized by uDsoupd
public finance uncertain policy IN respect
to the currency. series of speculative excltemens
tending TO unproductive enterprises and unremuDer-
alive investments Of capital and terminating IN DIS.
tressiug reactions in credit and business; want o.
efficiency and economy in production. extIayagaacs
in public and private expenditure, enormous taxa
ton and complicated systems OF revenue-wbica
have increased the cost and wasted the fruits OF thai
taxation aud rendered capital aud labor less pro.
ductlve-and frequent spoliation OF private and
public trusts.
GOVERNMENTS TOO COSTLY.
In the decade, beginning July I. 1865, the peopls
will have paid in taxes, computed in currency seven
thousand millions of dollars. Three-hfths were foi
the use of the Federal Government and two-iifths
for the State and municipal Governments II is
doubtless true that some portions OF the muncipai
expenditures were for objects not strictly govern
mental. But 1T cannot be questioned that much too
large a portion of the whole net earnings Of indus
try and of the whole income of society, is taken
for the purpose of carrying on government IN this
country The burden could more easily DO borne
when values were high. and were ascending. As
they recede toward their former level, the taxes
consume larger quantity OF the products
which have to be sold in order to pay them Ihey
weigh with constantly increasing severity upon
all business and upon all classes. They shrvel mp
more aud more the earnings of labor Inns conoi-
tion of things ought TO admonsh us, IN our respec
tive spheres to be abstnent as possible III appro
rriatiOns for public expenditures. III the cost OF
government in our country were reduced, asst ought
to be, onethlrd it would still be larger tnah Jew
years ago. taking account of the prices OF the pro-
ducts which, in order to pay that cost we are COM
PEELED to convert into money.
TAXATION TOO BURDENsoMs-TIIE PRosTRATIoN OF
THE SOUTH.
The people are less able TO bear such taxation by
reason of the wai Of efficiency and economy Ia
production and tn, ant of frugality in consump-
tion generated by tho suses already Indicated ana
also by reason of the failure to completely renew Tue
nrofu,tive energies and activities of the States OF
the South, which furnish about half of the exporta-
bic commodities of the country other than specie;
Of manufactures
ana nroduct,ops: and which make lis their car
o g. mere haute, and bankers IN all thelr uOiheStic
I'd foreign transactions. . -,
lt has been proudly ascribed to the humanity OK
onr age thar since the surrender at AppOmattoX,
not one life has been sacrificed TO tne p9Icy % lo
victorious Government. Ii Is to nc Wialeu tu1l me
were equally free from the Criticism thaG inc
refribnti0n visited upon former adyersanes
merely confoms to the higher modern estimate Oh
property as compared with life; that exercising
moral coercion inviGorated by standing menace OF
military force we have held those communities.
bound in withcs to be pundeTed by rulers desItnte
Of support in their public opinion ana Without Ilio
to our own respect Oh trust.
FINAL ACCEPTANCE or AMENDMENTS TO FEDERAL
CONSTITUTION.
Such has been course after and IN spite OF tho
fact that these, our kindred in common ancestry.
a common heritage, aud Il common futhre had
Joined at National Conventions i'll the nomination on
candidates and in the declaration of principles aud
purposes which form an authentic acceptance
of the results of the war; embodied in the last three
Amendments TO the organic law of the Federal
Union; and that they had, By the suffrages of all
their voters at the last National election, completed
the proof that now they only seek TO share with us
and to maintain the common rights or AMERICAN
local self government In fratenal mon under tns
old flag with lone Constitution and one destiny,
There should be no MISUNDERSTANDING as 10 TINS
poson of our Southern bre or OF any portion or
our feow-ctizens The questions eottied W u'c war
Tbe adoption OF the Thrteeuth Fourteenth. and FIT
IN
one great IN politics: Is marke The end forever
OF the system of human slavery. and OF the struggles
that grew OF that system. THESE alnenuehs nave
been concusvey adopted. and they have been accepted
IN good faith by all political examinations anu tno
people all sections They close INC chfpter they arg
and must DO final all parties hereafter must accept ana
stand upon them. ana hcnceforth our politics are 70
turn upon questions OF the present ana tue tuture'
not upon those of the settled and hnal past
THE PEOPLE MUST AGAIN ATTEND To PUBLIC AFFAIlss.
The noble motives OF humanity concur Win our
interests in making hail. with heartfelt congratu-
latons, q real aud durable peace between p0pua-
lions unnaturaly estranged Tue time Is ripe 70
discard all memories Of buried strres. except as
warning against their renewal; to ion all together
10 build anew the solid foundations OF American
sefsovernment. For nearly generation. the con-
troyerses which led TO fratricidal conflict have
drawn away the attention Of the people from the
questions Of administration which involve every
interest and duty Of coed government The culture
the training, and the practice OF our people in the
iuo disuse. Meanwhile the primitive simplicity OF
institutions and OF society, IN when governments
was little felt, and could be neglected with compare
tive impunlty, has been passing away. III pnone
necessities must wiring so much FROM tho esrnihgs
Of individuals taxation must become scientific In
our new condition al the problems OF admnistra
ton have become more difficult They eaI lor
more intellect aud more knowledge of the expert
epce of other countries They need 10 become the GU
rossng theme OF the public thought the discussions
the process Of free institutions The people must once
.inaf nl