Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-11-16
NUMBER 21.

gave their money freely in our need, because
they believed we would fulfil our promise.
honorably. Mr. Morgan said he happened
10 De the fortunate possessOr of O most re-
inarKabie letter written by Gen. Washing
ton, IN l77s, to an English friend in which,
speaking OF the sacrifices the several States
were making in coming into the Union for
the general good. he said: "If this people
continue to be true to themselves, no power
on earth can prevent their becoming great,
a powerful, and a commercial country. -
Applause. That prophecy has been won
derfully fulfilled, and should American legis-
latlon henceforward be careful to promote
the highest national honor and integrity
without spot or blemish, no power can pre-
vent the people of this country from con-
tlnuing free, a commercial, and respect
ed nation. Applause.
Gov. Hartranft, of Pennsylvania, was the
next speaker. He was followed by ex-Gov.
iiawley, OF Connecticut. who spoke forcibly
on the currency question. In 1880, 1890,
and l696, he said England was flooded with
debased silver coinage. A strong pressure
was made on the Government in issuing its
new coinage to debase it the same as the
old. The Secretary of the Treasury even
was supposed to favor the swindle. Hap
ply, England had statesmen who believed
there was something better than the chance
oil making few dOllars-that the national
honor and standing were worth something.
Ihey maintained the national integrity
similar question arises to-day without refer
ence to parties, for it is difficult to tell how
parties stand after reading the news of the
past week. There is no such thing as a
merely financial question. All such ques-
tons involve questions of honor. There is
no great mystery of finance if two things
be done "Teli the truth and keep your
promises Loud and long continued ap-
plause. Nations don't differ from indiyid-
uals. What it is right one should do it i.
right the other should do also. When
think, continued the speaker, of the country
We love so well and cost so much-not a dol
lar or life too much-I confess to an over
whelming Indignation at the manner in
which demagogues high and low dare to
trite with the national honor. [Tremen-
dous applause. ! am partisan | believe
IN parties. They mean wholesome agitation
and watchfulness of the outs over the ins
yet say that while new political parties can
only be formed on new ideas, there are
none at the bases OF the present parties to
prevent our sweeping them away and call
ing for new deal of tile American people
on behalf of national honor and integrity.
Uncle Sam must keep his promises. Uncle
Sam must he a gentlemen. Applause.
That which the civilized world accepts as
the recognized currency for the payment of
obligations, that only may Uncle Sam use.
That which the world deems the highest
standard of honesty must be the only stand
ard OF Uncle Sam. Great applause. Generals
are helpless without such men as are gath
cred in this room, and the nation cannot
have the goodwill of these men unless we
keep our promises as these men ask US to.
Prolonged applause.
Ex-Secretary MeCulloch followed in sim
liar vein. He denounced the Silver bill in |
unmeasured terms, and asked whether after |
having preserved the national honor
through fiery trials up to the present time |
We should allow it to be furnished now when |
there Is no occasion to do So No one |
thought of silver when the bonds were issued. |
Dur agents who placed them promised to paw |
n gold. All the debates of Congress and |
else at the time re-echoed the
promise. A double standard is an impossi-
'ility, as one metal must necessarily be less
than the other, and the poorer
will be used exclusively to pay debts. Mr..
'lcCulloch trusted that the bill which had
recently startled the intelligence of the
ountry would not pass.
Speeches was made by Gov. Rice, of
August Belmont and other
distinguished gentleman.