The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-02

United States in 1870, was $685., 244,-
500, while now Only five cities-New
York, Philadelphia, Boston, Brooklyn
and Baltimore-owe about $685., O0O,-
600. Thirty two cities, owing, in 1870,
$l98,895,7lS, have increased their
debt to $525,632,72S, or more than
100 per cent. The aggregate local in
debtedness created since 1870 is shown
by the following table:
State debts, $3.50, s6669S $3S2.97o,57
County debts, Isl ,565 $40 ls0,O0o,0O0
Municipal debts, 32S, 2A4,52o 10000, 900
To:al, :S65.676 S2S 81 ,33l.970,5l7
This local indebtedness amounts to
over $50 per capita for all the people
Of this country. The interest thereon
certainly exceeds 6 per cent, or &c.,
600, 900, and probably averages per
cent, or $93;00o,OO0. Our national
debt costs US 100000, 600 yearly, so
that the interest paid by our govern
ment in all it's branches is from $780,
100000 to $l96, 100000 annually.
1t does not require the wisdom or
foresight Of the profound statesman to
discern where this rapidly increasing
debt: bearing a rate Of interest far be-
You'd our ability as Il producing nation
to carry, must inevitably lead. 70
avoid the reputation England was driv-
en- to by attempting to pay larger usury
than her production could earn, we
should profit by her example. The
teachings of Greece, Rome, and En-
gland should lie observed, for we are
fast following the lead that conducted
the two former to rum, and the latter
to repadiation.
10 accomplish the needed reforms of
to-day, without destroying the peace Of
the state, the greatest care must be ex
ercised in selecting those to whom
the direction will be committed. He
that could be safely trusted with such a
charge must be possessed Of extraordi-
nary wisdom ant; courage-sensible in
that acknowledgement rash in that in
trepedity.
While we admit that, in submitting to
illegal or corrupt governing, we are more
the enemy Of our country than the ty-
rant W no imposes or executes it, we do
maintain that when, through the apathy
and Indifference Of society, public affairs
have assumed such posture, it would be
the widest folly, on cur part, to allow
ourselves to be counseled into any pre-
cipitate act, or violent measure. We
may be forced to an extremity, but ii
will! be to our advantage that such be
avoided if possible.
Now that the smoke Of battle has
cleared away, and banker, bondholde1
and time-serving politicians are concern.
ed in estimating the results Of the con.
test, let US take /. rapid survey Of the
field preparatory TO agreeing upon the
future line of action.
In Ohio tue question Of National cur
rency as against Bank circulation was
squarely raised and fearlessly urged
And despite the base artiice practiced
the appeal made to the prejudices and
bigotry of the people on the church and
school questions; the lavish expenditure
of money for corruptive purposes; and
the united efforts Of the press, with a
few notable exceptions, throughout the
whole country, of both the old parties
against them, the people achieved a
glorious victory. Yes, achieved vic.
tory. For they raised the vote nearly
/ 80, 900 above the successful poll of 70,
and educated the people, everywhere,
throughout the land to better under.
standing Of the great issue impending
over them.
How was it in Pennsylvania where
weakness and treachery characterized
the direction? In the face of deception
and fraud-with light vote polled in
consequence Of the party managers
turning face upon their platform-the
people came TO Philadelphia with sew
eral thousand majority, only to meet a
reverse, Of few thousand, effected by
a partially purged registry list, and the
most glazing fraud upon the ballot.
Call you this defeat No! There is
nothing in this to dismay or dishearten,
but much to encourage and steele the
hearts of the sterling sons of the coming
contest. The weakness of the enemy
has been exposed; their designs I'm.
masked; and the sorry fruit of victory
plucked by minority governor. In ev
idence Of the dissolution Of the power
of selfish, time-serving politicians and
prating demagogues, Mississippi, Mas
sachusetts, California, North Carolina
New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and
other states speak. And as we scar
the whole field the conviction grows up
on US, that the financial and currency
questions, the only live issues before
the country, are rapidly taking shape
that men and parties are being revealed
in their true colors.
Religious and civil liberty were be.
queathed to us by a noble and virtuous
ancestry, and by a glorious effort, or
our part, but lately extended to a whole
! race of neonle. Rut while enpared in