The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-05-09
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800. congress should Do
syeas many people know what ssotl 4
press should do, while Gongr itself seems
So be ia great doubt. Nevertheless The de-
yeIopments. that have proceeded more rap
idly than Congress, have been so clear and
decided that II Il were not for that most de-
stcstableof all the bad passions Of this land
parry spirit--the Congress would at once
decide 10 put an end to doubt and wind up
the financial and commercial legislation OF
the day and put the whole country AZ rest.
The reconciliation OF silver has brought
utter confusion upon the gold lunatics, and
falsifed all their foolish predictions. Vhe
credit and force OF the nation have been
manifested in q manner that puts to rout all
the raviag shout the national embarrass-
mene and the difficulties Of resumption, and
never at any period in the history OF the
nation WAS the Government more easy.
more capable OF controlling the national
finances in their relations to both internal
and exterior commerce. Resumption can
take place at any day and at any hour with
the most entire ease.
KS Why, then, should it be postponed?
There is, indeed, q degree OF want and an
amount OF restraint on business that IS
natural and inseparabie from events such as
have been caused by the late struggle; but
the country is nevertheless in solid posi-
tion-solid because reached by the processes
OF adversely that never fail in time to come
down to that firm basis so graphically de-
scribed as the .Ehard PAN" From that
solid ground the upward spring may be
made, and the country is in q condition TO
make It. Habits Of economy and frugailty
have been forced upon Us. The land IS
blessed with an abundance OF all produc-
tons OF industry, and our importatlons
have fallen below our exports. The country,
therefore, stands most independently, not
withs;anding that we have just emerged from
a fratricidal war. Resumption now would
end ali the apprehensions relating to~that
event, and establish entire freedom OF COM
merce SO far as it has been impaired by
such arprehepsions.
Besides this, the nation wants the resump-
ton of business and commerce unembar-
rassetl by the bankrupt law, which has de-
moraliZed the public mind more than all
things else put together. Since the Con-
eress has been considering the question OF
the repeal of that bad law, which has squan-
dered the millions that were filched from
both debtor and creditor, numerous cases OF
fraudulent bankruptcies have occurred. An
army OF bankrupts has appeared, and the
commercial community has been startled by
new evidences OF depravity in business
that have had a most Injurious effect upon
commerce.
Congress ought to understand its duty
clearly. 1t is SO plain that he who runs
may read. Facilitate resumption and end
the stay law. Set commerce free and tie up
fraud, so that the business OF the land may
feel safe, and the rights Of the grand class
of society that is the chief contrivers and
promoters OF the public wealth and dignity
may be protected from that other large class
whose wits have been sharpened and whose
consciousness has been blunted by the
arts encouraged by the bankrupt law and
the kindred measures that have assisted to
retard settlements and increase the general
depravity.
The farmer, the merchant, the manu-
facturer-all want regularity and honesty.
II men cannot go largely into business
let them proceed cautiously but always
honestly, mourning no obligations which
they cannot reasonably expect to pay.
and it will not be long before trade and
business will be flourishing and everybody
be contented. Congress has it in its
power to bring about this in very short
time. Let it act at once, discarding all the
crazy theories, stopping curtailment, order
ing resumption, and restoring accountable
ity and responsibility in business amongst
men, leaving them to manage their own af-
fairs under the ordinary laws Of the land
without the interference Of Government to
the partial benefit of any class. This done,
the nation will rise in virtue and in dignity,
and it will be only bad counsels and bad
men that will be discouraged.