The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-10-14
under the present State Administration

under the present State Administration
to an extent never before known.
(Mr. Washburn then went on to show
that, despite its profession of econmy,
the Reform Administration has actually
expended, after excluding the perma-
nent improvement, SAT, SAT more than
its predecessor and that this money has
been spent, not only uselessly, but
prohigately.)
have now said all that I have time
to say in regard to the State Adminlstra-
ton except this, that reelection this
fall will give great courage and hope to
the late enemies of the country. who
viii make d death struggle to control
the Government at the Presidential cleo
ton. Failing torupture the Govern
lnent by force of arms, they have now
adopted another method.
After denouncing, time and again, the
reconstruction measures of the RepubI-
can party, declaring that the amdements
of the Constitution were fraudulent and
void and that the lost cause would finally
prevail, they have suddenly fallen IN
love with Republican measures, and de-
clare that they adopt lovingly the results
of the war. Even jeff Davis has be-
come very sweet all at once. What
does it mean 1t means that you are to
be lulled into security until they can
once more obtain control of the Govern
ment, its army, and navy, when they
will be complete masters of the situation.
1t now seems that no issue was to be
taken with us on those instietion measure
of the Republican party which grow
out of the War. Upon these they in
tend to lie low until they obtain control
of the Government, and it now looks as
though the great question which Is to
enter into the next Presidential contest
will be in regard to The currency, and
as to whether the people are to have
real and honest money of a fixed value
or irredeemable rags. The Democratic
party in Ohio and Pennsylvania have
declared in favor of irredeemable paper,
having me intrinsic value anywhere, and
worthless outside of our own country.
Nearly every Southern State in Democra-
tic control has taken the same ground,
and JEFF Davis has sounded the key note
OF the party which is to be initiation first,
| and final reputation afterwards. Why
the Rebel States should desire repudia-
ton, [ can understand but I cannot
comprehend the action of Pennsylvania
and Ohio. True, the Reformers in this
State have declared in favor OF good mon
ey, but what does that COUNT They
will be entirely overwhelmed in the
National Convention, and will swallow
without a wink whatever is commended
by the party to their lips. 1 desire that
the people of this State shall understand
that question, for as it is finally solved
will depend our future prosperity. [
am SO often on the record in years past
| that it is not I can see no permanent
| prosperity inthe future Sc long as we
retain such uncertain measures of value
as at the present time -Four year ago,
in my first messag to the legislature, ]
called attention to the subject of return
to specie payments, and stated reasons
why believed the welfare of the coun-
! try demanded it. [ deem, it not impro-
per to briefly quote from what L then
said 'fOur currency has been constantly
improving, until now the difference be-
tween it and coin is less than 10 pei
cent, and the time is at hand when
We should resume specie payment.
A deprecated and fluctuating paper
currency is a curse to any country,
and should not be tolerated q moment
longer than is absolutely necessary.
From whatever standpoint such a cur
rency may be viewed, in time of peace il
can only be regarded as a great evil
And, SO long as it exists, we shall be
shut out from fairly competing with
| those countries which use no such false
or uncertain measures of value. That
the greatest gold producing country in
the world should continue to longer utter
| false promises to pay, is not creditable
| to the nation. The legal-tender notes
are promises to pay gold on demand.
They were issued in the country's ex-
tremity, and were fully justified by the
necessities of the hour. The danger
which led to their issue has passed away
the country is prosperous, and, with
high credit and vast Resources, it is the
plain duty of the Government to pay its
obligations according to the promise ex
pressed on their face" Why gold gam
bleas, wneat-scalpes, spectators, and
soldiers of fortune generally, should
want initiation and fluctuating prices,
I can understand but why any honest
man should prefer the shadow to the
reality, [ cannot understand. I remem-
Der the time well when hard money was
a cardinal principle of the Democratic
party, which we supposed meant some
thing ; and it is sad commentary on
the morals of the times, when we now
find this party discarding the only
valuable principle it had left, and start
ing on the crooked ways of dishonesty,
marching directly to reputation and
national disgrace.