The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-08-17
Living within our Means.

GOV. Tilden, in his letter of acceptance, says
The best resource is a reduction of the expen-
ses of the government below its income, for
that imposes no new charge on the peo-
PIE. Inc Inference is that the Republi-
can party has not regulated the expenses
OF the government within its income. What
are the facts? The credit of the government
not only stands above that of any other nation
on the globe except Great Britain, but this
nigh standard OF national integrity has been
reached. while the debt created by the war
Drought on by the Democratic party, has. been
largely decreased. The amount of the public
debt paid off during Gen. Grants administra-
ton is s426, 023,9l5. Each year the revenues
OF the government have exceeded the expense,
and the surplus applied to diminishing national
obligations. One year after the panic the
amount of the reduction was $4,73O,OOO. The
following year the reduction was $l3, 800, 600.
This year 1t is 500, $4,000. One year we paid
slO0, 900, 900 of the dcbt,and another $l02, OOO,-
0ooO. Every yea the Republican party, even
in the hardest times has saved money and APP
Piled it to the payment of the public DEBT, until
1t aggregates the figures above quoted $780,
O23,0l5 The interest on the public debt in
1867 was sl43, oOO,O 600. Last year it was
slo3,0OO,O00, showing clear saving to the
people of $40000,0O0 in interest alone, by the
financial policy and management of General
Grants administration.
Yet the Democratic party and Mr.. Tildcn
clanlor for restoration to power in order to
maintain the national credit" They appeal to
the people because of what they call enormous
expenses OF the government, forgetting or lg-
noring the stern and unquestonable fact that
these expenses are the result of the war, and
that the debt that now confronts the people is
the price of the life of the nation.'' They
neglect to say, too, that the taxes are being
gradually reduced, that laws have been enact
ed by the Republican party since 1865 which
have reduced the taxes $500, 00o,O 900, adjusted
to the decrease of the principal of the debt by
the financial policy of Gen. Grants admins
tration.
Thoughtful people will long consider before
they will cast their sufrages for party whose
financial policy impaired the Irrational credit''
III 1860 so that our bonds sold for Is per cent
discount, whenthe national debt was compare
lively nothing, and against party whose adj
mInlstration has not only largely reduced the
war debt OF the country, created by the mad
ness OF the Democratic party, but reduced the
taxes at the same time to the amount of $780,
ooo,ooo curing seven years Of power, and MAIN
tanned the bonds of the nation above par. Dur
ing this time, while this wise financial policy was
being enforced for the relief of the people, the
interest on the public debt was paid, bounties
OF soldiers and war claims against the govern
ment. and sinking fund, provided for
The history Of the world does not show a
parallel OF financial ability, prudent administra-
ton and salutary results. Yet the Democratic
party, which precipitated the war, ont of
which the burdens of the people grew, de-
mands the control Of the government to purify
it. and restore national credit