New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-04
NOTING TOWARD EEsUUPn0N.


The battle in behalf OF the national honor
has begun at last. On the defensive against
Pcndletonism in 1868, against imitation in
1874, and against the communistic followers
of Allen and Cary in 1915, the public honor
al last takes the aggressive. \ rcsoiute effort
i, TO be made to redeem the pledges of the
nation, and 10 put Cut Of the way forever that
dishonoicd and iIredccmlLlc currency which
continually brides men to stab the public
credit. Neutrality Is 30 longer possible. He
who does not help that effort must be count
od-by impartial history will be counted-an
enemy of the public faith.
We wish most earnestly that this fact may
be fully comprcheudod, cspeclaliy Icy those
whose timidity or attachment to ether methods
prompts them to lock with GOODNESS upon the
efforts of the Administration. In Tie council,
before the plan Of battle has been framed. ai
are free to advocate sUch methods rs they
deem wiscst, and frank criticism of the plans
of others is desirable. After the order of bat
tie has been issued, after the ranks have been
formed and the forward movement has COM
menccd. after the ire Of the enemy has begun,
the officer or soldier who hats, sits on fence,
and begins to discuss the Prcpricty Of orders
what is he 4? Either these orders must be car
ried out or the cause must meet OvcrWhclm-
ing and perhaps irreparable defeat. He who
refuses to sustain The Administration in It's plan
OF resumption insisting that some other method
ought to have been preferred, Is doing i'm
measuraby more 10 defeat resumption alto
ccther than any ayowed infatonist or rcpudi-
atOr has power to do.
Whether we wish it or not, the choice is be
tween this method or abandonment of reSump-
ton in 1879, and probably for years there
after. The reason is plain. Congress Will not
grant enlarged powers nor provide better
methods No sane man contemplateS as pos
sble such action by the newly-elccted Con-
cress. So clear is this that the AdminiStra-
ton does not hold it advisable, according to
latest and Trustworthy information, to ask adj
ditional legislation for the purpose Of facili-
tating resumption, because such request,
while unayailug for good, would be construed
rs an acknowledgment that the Resumption
act itself cannot be executed. simpler and
better methods might have been provided by
law for the funding OF surplus legal tenders,
but have not been provided, and less than
nineteen months remain, of which four and q
half will elapSe before Congress can meet, and
at least another month will pass after Con-
cress assemblies before organization can be COM
pleted and any financial measure can be
passed For the slower and more gradual
methods there would not be time enough, even
if CONGRESS were willing to grant needed
mower. while no future event is more certain
than that Congress viii not consent TO more
vigorous. speedy, and heroic measures. The
Administrations thus compelled to make the
best of powers already existing o. To abandon
altogether specie resumption in 1879 Is
pledged by Congress, by the Republican party
and by its President, has examined the laws
now in existence, and determined upon the
only course which, under those laws, gives
promise of success. In such circumstances, 20
assail the course thus chosen is to oppose, and
if possible to prevent, the resumption which
the United States has promised.
Mere timidiy 10 doubt prompts many of
the criticisms which ale made. Capital is pro-
verbally timid bankers and money lenders
are always involved in enterprises which they
apprehend may not succeed if vigorous
progress toward resumption is made. But mere
inertia is ever one Of the greatest obstacles 10
every reform, aud the chronic apprehension of
those who have counted upon the continuance
Of existing conditions and who feel that change,
even though UNNECESSARILY for the public good,
NAV mean trouble for them Individually,
has been from the first an obstacle more diff