Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-12-25

to appreciate the manner in which the
victory was won, and the hope with
which in that respect it 10 frsught for
the future Of the republic. The PEG.
pie had not been called upon before
seriously to give their attention to
these intricate questions of currency,
about which even powerful and in.
structed minds have not seldom been
led astray. Well might there be deep
misgiving as to tho result, especially
rs the most artful Of all tempters
industrial distress--was breathing its
evil counsels into the popular ear.
But the need came. The people turn
I'd their minds in good earnest to the
currency question, read what was
written about it, listened to speeches
about. discussed it among themselves,
mastered IT sufficiently, voted on il,
and voted right. If they will do
'his when the subject is at once 40 dry
aud SO difficult, we may fairly trust
them to do il with regard to any issue
that is likely to be submitted to their
Judgment. When I saw popular
audience listening for an hour and
half with rupt attention to a strictl,
argumentative exposure of currency
faliacies, thy faith in the republic was
renewed.
Much Of the speaking and writing
vas excellent, al least so 1t seemed to
me. ] do not believe that q great
question is ever more ably and ex.
naustively debated in any Senate,
Parliament or Assembly. however
nigh aud select, than was the curren.
cy question In the vast and tumultu-
Gus forum Of the American republic.
1t was q good sign, too, that where
the advocates OF q sound currency
were most thorough.goipE and out
spoken, where they had most the
courage Of their opinions, they sue.
ceeded best.
A word Of justice IL duo to those
who took the wrong side. The green.
back movement 10 . different thing
from the abor.ive reputation move
ment which was started by unscrupn-
lous politicians Immediately after the
war. 1t is the excusable offspring OF
real and severe distress. MortxaEors
and other debtors, especially in tn.
Western States, are crushed by hav.
ing to pay in gold or in paper ct par
debts which they contracted In de-
preciated currency, Many of them
sincerely believed that by conjuriny
with the currency their burdens
might DO lightened without robbery
Remember that when the price oil
corn fell on the return Of peace after
he French war, the land owners oil
England, to keep up their rents and
enable them 20 maintain the rate oil
expenditure to which war prices had
accustomed them, passed the corr
and thrust the people back into star.
walton.
Difficulties and dangers there ar.
still. The greatest OF them all 10 III,
solid South, where the structure o.
society has been modified, but no
radically changed, By the conversion
Of the negro from q slave into . de-
pendent. But nobody, ! believe, af
ter the victory Of yesterday, despair
of the republic. Perhaps your read
ers may have more reason politically
than industrially for rejoicing ovel
this event. Further tampering will
the currency would have brough'
fresh distur bance to American indus
TRY. twill now GO unimpeded OF
it's way, and you will feel the full
stress Of its competition, The race il
not fair one. British industry i
weighted with an aristocratic ani
lingo government. The American
artisan lives under Hovenmen
formed in the interest Of industry
which closes no ports against his pro
duction by provoking tho enmity o
nations, and squanders none Of hi
earnings in war or preparations TO
war. Yours faithfully,
GOODWIN SMITH,
!. Toronto, Nov. 8, 1876.