The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-19
American Independence.

We have Of late found occasion to speak
our decided opinion upon the subject OF
the spirit OF independence which should
characterize the policy of the Federal Gov
crnment. The suggestion so often appear
ing in the essays Of financiers with regard 10
the respect we should pay to the example OF
England and other Governments in shaping
the financial policy OF this country has to US
appea1 ed most Objectionable. 1t seemed
that these persons were anxious that this
country should be put in Estate OF pupiage,
learning from the older Governments and
subordinating her opinions and policy to
theirs. We should be upon one metallic ba-
sis because they were, and exclude two, to
our great injury, because, for reasons salts
factory to themselves, they chose TO stand
,1Don one. Were we to exclude silver from
the metallic basis, when we know that
il is considerable part OF the produc-
tive resources of our country, we would
he conspiring with others for our own
iniury. We would not be guilty OF greater
folly were we to assume that our two great
staple crops were unnecessary for our COM
merce. and that we would get along better
with one, and therefore we should abolish
tobacco or exclude it from our foreign COM
merce, and rely altogether upon cotton as
the settler of the balance OF trade against
ia. This would be the supremest OF folly ;
vet It is akin to the folly Of excluding sill
yer-which forms so important part OF our
national wealth-from its proper position in
the money of the country. 1t is certainly
against the interests OF this country that
we should copy the example Of Great
Britain on this subject. She has her rca-
sons, let her follow them. We have ours,
and let us respect them, and, above all, let
the United States maintain in bold and in.
dependent spirit what she deems wise and
proper for her welfare. =
Mr.. GRoEsBECK. Of Ohio, struck the key.
note on this subject, as follows:
There is an aspect Of this subject which
has presented itself to me again and again.
we are told we must abandon silver be-
cause Germany has done it. It is not shown
that this was wise in Germany. No one has
yet expressed such nm opinion. But, wise
or foolish. she has seen tit to do it, and
therefore we must. don't like this. II
has the appearance OF timidity, and there
is g lack Of courage and independence
about it. I can understand how small
nation, lying in the shadow Of that great
empire and In territorial contact with 1t,
may unaroldably be influenced by its pol
icy. But we are under no such embarrass-
ment, and we are strong enough and should
be brave enough to stand upon our own
policy. Is 1t SO that we must, now
and always hereafter, change our system OF
money, regardless OF our condition and adj
yantases, whenever Germany or England
sees ut to change! Are they to dominate
u.s. Shall we be ever looking neryously
and timidly towards Europe to know what
We should doy Let us rather turn round
and look upon ourselves, upon our extraor-
dlnary resources, upon our rich mines OF
every kind in the earth, and our rich lands
on the earth, upon our magnif cent domain,
il and upon the swarming, industrious, and
entsrpfking people who occupy Ii. w hal
are they equal to with ouch opportunities
ana advantages. and what Is their will
3 Lei " be enough for us to comprehend III,
one and know The OIL Or, and 10 arrange or
policy, - 2 4 8 {