The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-20
Washington Letter.


preparing for his present position and
undertakings for many months o. even
years. He is far-sighted man and
firm, almost to obstinacy, and having
once rut his hand to the plows he can.
not be turned back. Specie Resump-
ton is his hobby but he is also working
for a reduction Of tho public debt and
several other schemes. Much fault is
found with his reform policy, but he
processes to have only the country's
good at heart, and once in Il while an
approving word comes to him through
the press, like the following from a New
York daily. "Secretary Sherman's fnan-
cial policy is heartily approved by the
business element of the State and no
complaint is heard except from people
who are in debt and want more money
to float them out again. Mr.. Townsend
is warmly in favo: Of Secretary Sher
mans scheme to issue 4 currency bond
which can be placed easily in this
country, and will be preferred by farm
ers and others who are now placing all
their surplus in savings banks. Bust
ness is better than it has been for six
years and sales Ut merchants are
greater
It is hard to understand why so much
dissa tisfaction is felt concerning the ef-
fort to pay of the national debt. It is
argued that there is injustice and op-
preston in any attempt to pay more
than reasonable interest on the debt,
letting the principal entirely alone,
while there is no call or occasion for it,
while yet our wounds received in battle
are scarcely heale and while public in
dustries have hardly recovered from the
paralyzation inflicted upon them by the
war. Some have compared the payment
of the public debt now, to person who,
having been accommodated with funds
by friend, Immediately deprives him.
self Of the money obtained to; keep up
his business, in order to refund the loan,
although obtained from Il source able
and willing to treat it as an investment,
asking only reasonable interest. On
the other hand, it is thought that it
ought to be a matter Of national thanks.
giving to know that from June 1876 to
June 1877 the public debt has been
diminished over 100000 and during
the last month nearly 100000 have
been paid on it. =. =.
During the war, Arlington Heights
situated just across the Potomac from
Washington, and at that time the estate
and homestead Of Gen. Robt. E: Lee
was con6scated by the government ant
dedicated as burying ground for falle,
soldiers whose bones should be gathered
from the various battle fields. A con
tract was made with certain parties tt
do the work and, although it has beer
said that they did it only too thoroug ii
it is now one Of the most beautiful Gem
eteries in the country, and, for eviden
reasons, by far the most interesting
Joking is out of place in such connec
ton, but I suppose it is a fact that be
cause of the contractors being paid b.
the load Tin gathering the remains) ant
not being specially versed in anatomy
we strewed flowers on Decoration Day
and honored with equal respect, tn
bones Of man and mule, lying in thi
beautiful cemetery, in this common com
mission that they both fell in the de
Tense of their country. All that maj
ters little, however, the place is a sacre
one and considerable solicitation is fe
lest Gen. G. w. G. Lee (the Lee heir
should succeed in the suit of ejectmer
which he has brought against the go
erHlnent IOE CAt pOSStSsiOu VI dEuUgIOi
There are many of the dead Of bot
armies inferred there, besides sever;
thousand negroes, Who died during tn
war. 1t is revolving to think of disturb
ing these bones, but man would har,
ly want them in his dooryard au
orchard. So, if Gen. Lee is entitled
the estate, the government must pa
him his price for it or submit to the di
turbance of over sixteen thousand grave
of our soldiers. s@' = -.
Never was an American treated vii
such honors abaoad as Gen. Grant
ri, receiving. Already he has ,dined wi.
Il