The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-19
The Anti.Repudiation Spirit.

present unpleasant truths TO pubic
view, but it is certainly best to know
the worst that may happen in order
to guard against it. just now we
are being treated to copious doses
of moralizing on the iniquity of re-
,pudiation, as though this were SIN
against the commission of which
our moral teachers had hitherto neg
lected to warn us. In this region
the text for these sermons is found
in our old State railroad bonds,
while in other localities other SINH
]arly questionably paper serves a like
purpose. But, as is often the case.
the sermons usually wander from the
texts and cover the entire field Of
the alleged delinquency, and it looks
very much as if more is meant than
is said. In view Of this may it not
be we'll enough to surn1ise what is
really meant? Why is it SO essen
tial that this matter should receive
such extensive attention at this time?
"A few years ago, hardly politi-
clan in this State would venture to
express an opinion about the "five
million loan," except to denounce
the idea that the bonds ought to be
paid in part or in full. But to-day
its payment IS openly and fully adj
vocated. What has wrought this
change? Is it not fair to presume
that some insidious influence has
been operating upon the public
mind, and that those who set it at
work suppose now that time enough
has elapsed for it to effect the desir-
ed result? We think so, and as other
localities are similarly affected, we
are led to suspect that this influence
has been exerted generally through
out the country, and for a far more
important purpose than the payment
of the two and a half millions which
this State is charged with owing.
What can this other purpose be?
Have we forgotten that several of
the Southern States emitted large
amounts Of bonds during the war,
and, subsequently, while they were
in semi-anarchical condition? Have
we forgotten that these are virtually
repudiated to-day, and that their
payment by the States issuing them,
for years to come, is utterly impos-
sible? Have we lost sight Of the
fact that there are several hundred
millions of the late Confederate
States bonds still in existence? If
not, then we may, perhaps, find a
motive for this outcry against repu-
dia,ion iciently powerful to &C.
count for its extent and vehemence.
The people are just, and if convinc-
ed of the enormity of the sin of
reputation, it is likely that they
may be led to acquiesce in the pay
ment of all these long neglected and
doubtful debts.
But why stir this matter now?
Because now seems to be the ap-
pointed time for a revolution in the
politics of this country. If the lead
ers of the democratic party can hold
that organization we'll in hand, land
of this there is little room to doubt
and if the independents and other
disafected elements from the repub-
lican party can be persuaded to put
a third ticket in the field, the chances
are that a democratic president will
be elected. Under the circum-
stances, however, there is no room
to hope that this success will be
permanent, and the old leaders Of
that organization will have every.in-
.centive to make the most of the
fleeing opportunity. More than
this, Messrs. Belmont and Schell,
who are controlling spirits in that
organization, represent. the owners
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