Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-08-23

Mltu Otilti uUttVn1s Nv 'I'>~s's~
ares and tho actual date are matters OF
detail having reference TO our chang
ing conditions. They belong to the
domain of practical administrative
craftsmanship. The captain ola steam
or starting from New York TO Liver
pool docs not assemble council over
his own chart and fix an angle by
which TO lash the rudder for the whole
voyage. A human intelligence must
be at the helm to discern the shifting
forces OF the waters and the winds. A
human hand must be on the helm TO
feel tho elements, day by day, and
guide by mastery over them.
"Such preparations are everything.
Without them Legislative command
fixing day, an Official promise fixing
a day, are shams. They are worse
they are u snare aud q delusion to all
who trust them. They destroy all con
fidencc among thoughtful men whose
judgment will at least sway public
opinion. An attempt to act on such a
commandership, a promise without u
preparation, would end in new sus-
pension. twould be fresh calamity,
prolific of confusion, distrust and dis
tress. The act of Congress Of the 18th
of January, 1875, enacted that on and
after tho lst of January, 1879, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall redeem
in coin the legal tender notes Of the
United States on presentation at the
office of the Assistant Treasurer in the
city of New York. 1t authorized the
Secretary TO prepare and provide for
such resumption of specie payment by
the use Of any surplus revenues, not
otherwise appropriated, and by issuing
in his discretion certain classes of bonds.
More than one and half Of the four
years have passed. Congress and the
President have contrived ever since to
unite in acts which have legislatcd out Of
existence in heshape ofexpenses every
possible surplus applicable TO this pur-
pose. The ocoinin the Treasury, claimed
to belong to,the, Government, had on the
Both of June fallen to less than sI5,-
OOO,O0O as against s59,0OOOOO on the
LIST of Janury, 1875, and the availabili-
ty OF part OF that sum Is SAID 10 DC
questionable. The revenues are iaiing
iasterthan appropriations ana expendi-
lures are reduced, leaving the Treas
ury with diminishing resources. The
Secretary has done nothing under ms
power to issue bonds. The legislative
command, the oiiiclal promise, hxing a
day for resumption, have thus lar been
barren. NO practical preparations To-
ward resumption have been made
There has been no progress Ihere
have been steps backward. There Is
no necromancy IN the operations OF
government the homely maxims OF
every day lille are me best standards
OF It's conduct a debtor VINO should
promise to pay loan out oil surplus
income, yet bo seon every day spend
ing all he could lay his hands on in
riotous living, would lose oil character
fol honesty and veracity. His offer
of u new promise, or his professions as
TO the value of the old promise, would
alike provoke dcrision."
But my main object on this occasion
is to look into the affairs Of the present
administration, and inquire what claim
il has TO our special favor. II promised
abundantly at the outset, but il has
utterly failed to come up to its prcten-
sions. Instead of broad, il has given
us stones. and the very worst kind Of
scorpions instead of fish. In the place
of Hpeace and fraternity" sectional
animosities have been inspired and cher.
ished MS a means Of partisan success.
In the place OF economy in the use OF
the peoples money, we have reckless
prodigality; and in the room of the
promised honesty and purity, we have
had infdelity, pilfcrings and general
corruptions TO an unparalleled degree.
In the room of boasted obedience to
the Constitution, we have witnessed
palpablc encroachmcnts upon the most
sacred principles Of that instrument in
clear derogation Of the rights Of States
and citizens. Instead OF prosperity, we
have national depression and misery.
These conclusions are impressed upon
us, not only by what we sec. and hear,
but by what we suffer in our own affairs.
We are sufferers from the effects of bad
government. As the producers of coal
and iron and lumber and brick, and as
mechanics and laborer, We feel the
paralyzing influence OF an unwise pub.
lie policy that has unduly stimulated
industry at one time and crushed 1t at
another. The depressed spirits and
evil forebodings of the mass Of the peo-
pie indicate the process we are now
undergoing. We are not the cheerful
and happy people we were q few years
since. Want of employment and sub.
sistencc stare men in the face, and their
spirits sink. And just now, in the midst
of the celebration OF the event that
brought the Republic into existence, the
national pride Is brought into the very
dustby trials Tor bribery and corruption
at the seat OF government and by daily
developments of the evidence Of NAL
feasancc in high places. And, as if in.
tended TO give special point to this
national humiliation, the President abb
sented himself from the great htcrna.
tional Celebration on the Fourth Of
July. The ceremonies were honorcd,
nevertheless, by the presence Of Sir
Edward Thornton, the accredited Min.
ister from England, and by the Emperor
of Brazil, and by distinguished repre-.
scntatives from all tho principal Euro.
pcan Governments and from Asiatic
and Oriental countries. Why President
&, ra nj danlina1 IN faIyo ,>a,.t Il, tl, ,,...,,