Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-11-02
Letter from Florida.


Hon A. B. Davis received the following
! letter from friend, whose name he chooses to
withhold for the present. and thinks its re-
plelion with important points necessitates its
publication, therefore transmits it to the SEN
TINEL
TITUsyHLE, Oct. 29th, 1877.
DEAR SIR presume you have about re-
turned from rusticating beneath the arboreous
trees Of Greenwood, and that during the tur-
bulent times in Baltimore you stayed in the
country. In the late strikes, | think the in
efficiency Of the State Governments to grapple
with such outbreaks is clearly demonstrated.
The time lost in applying first to the State
Government and then 10 the Central Govern
ment is all important and affords scope and
opportunity for plenty OF mischief and des-
tructon Of property. The present generation
has seen the State Governments deprived Of
the privilege Of issuing money aud regulating
banks and the advantages derived therefrom
by the country at large force upon the mind
of every impartial observer the conviction Of
the benefit and advantage of such change
| have no doubt that more important changes
in this respect will gradually occur, for facts
proved by experience have generally more in
huence reflective minds in leading TO fixed
principles than the mere discussion of those
principles.
expect you have read the address of Peter
Cooper, of New York. on free trade and cur
rency. lie is eighty-seven years of age, and
we are, each of US, in the neighborhood OF
seventy. | have been struck with the very
different conclusions he and haze arrived at
as regards free trade. He is for having high
protective duties, with the view to encourage
home industries. No policy, think can be
more disastrous 10 the general welfare of the
country. High tariffs have driven American
shipping from the ocean OF foreign trade,
while free trade has given England some seven
millions tons shipping instead Of two.
Besides, it stands to reason that every
branch of industry will receive its full deVel-
o2ment by being free and unfettered, eslab-
fishing one uniform duty for revenues only.
AS regards 1 national greenback currency,
fully agree with Cooper. The immense saw
ing which would accrue to the country from
such a currency, addresses itself TO the reason
and common sense Of any man. Estimating
the population Of this country at forty-fve
millions, and ten dollars paper to each ind-
vidual would aggregate four hundred and
fifty millions, which at four per cent. would
give eighteen millions dollars each year, minus
paper, printing, &c. Would it not answer
precisely the same purpose as national bank
currency and if regulated by fixed laws and
based upon solid foundation, firmly believe
it would prove the best and most economical
and presume before two months are over it
will be at par the ordeal through which this
country has passed in reaching "A metallic basis
has been severe one, but not more severe
than that which England passed through in
attaining the same object The great advan-
tage Of reaching bottom, | think, partly JUS
titles the means; and fortunately for this
country at this particular time the large crops
and high prices OF grain will materially aid in
r.
ton OF specie payments.
presume yon cannot have lost sight of the
increased expenditure constantly being saddled
upon the country by the inland Custom House.
see one is being built in Nashville Tenn
and another at Atlanta, Ga, each to cost half
million dollars. What is the use of them
The idea of landing goods at seaports and
scattering these over the country for the duties
to be paid at various inland towns instead Of
being paid at the port of entry where a ship
arrives, appears simply ridiculous. Cato said,
in the Roman Senate every session, Carthage
must be destroyed" Cannot you persuade
some of your Maryland Congressman TO imi-
tate Cato's example to Introduce resolution
into Congress every year to the effect that in
land Custom Houses are like a fifth wheel to
carriage, both expensive and useless. If mer-
chants in inland towns wish 10 import their
goods from foreign countries, what is to pre-
vent them from going to the seaport towns to
make their entries. Mahomet said 'rEat if
the mountain would not come to Mahomet,
Mahomet must go to the mountain" So in
likewise if the Custom Houses did not come
to the merchants in inland towns the merchants
would go TO the seaport Custom Houses The
logic is the same, but am afraid these inland
Custom Houses will be almost as difficult to
move as Mahomets mountain.
What do you think Of Hayes policy? /
think Hayes, from what little see, is acting the
part both of a patriot and statesman. He has
certainly been instrumental in dspelling a
good deal of prejudice, and as he has broken
loose from the shackles of party he appears
disposed 10 give TO the country the allegiance
which politicians think should be given to
party. Things in this country were certainly
past approaching that climax mentioned by q
Roman historian, when Brutus had party
Caesar had party, but the commonwealth had
40 party. Hayes appears attempting TO turn
the current from the breakers which were
gradually endangering the ship of State; and
the countrys well-wishers cannot give him
better advice than that given by Shakespeare
''Be just and fear not, let all the ends
Thou aimest at be thy country's, thy God S
and truth'sn
am afraid my letter has already trespassed
too much upon your time, and therefore l
must conclude.
remain, Dear Sir, yours very truly, =.