New-York tribune., 1878-01-19
THE SPEECH.

BOsTON, Jan. 1S.-Ex-SecretaTy OF the Irea-
sury Benjamin IT, Brisow entertained tonight at
dinner at the Revere House by number OF prominent
gentlemen OF this city. After the cloth was removed,
the guest of the evening toasted and responded in
the following speech;
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN: To tender You the
homage Of my profound gratitude for this demonstra-
ton is but feeble expression Of what feel came to
Boston to fulfil promise OF long standing. My engage
ment OF private nature, and this expression OF
your confidence and friendly feeling quite unexpected
to me, but this is not the fist of my In
debtness to the people Of Boston and OF this
ancient Commonwealth. Once before and in n differ
ent and public manner. they gave me proof OF
their confidence which never hope to merit The
Indebtedness Is absolute. III cannot make payment In
full will willingly suffer any drafts they may
make to be dshonored by non-accepance, nor
Will attempt scale il by any Of the Dew-fangled
methods of reducing the amount Of public obii-
cations. but / am not vain enough 10 suppose
that these manifestations on the part OF Tile
people Of this Commonwealth have arisen from
personal regard for me- know very well that they
come from your approval of cause with which You
have done the honor TO associate my name, and to
which you and have given support. I am glad to
know that the people Of Massachusetts are practically
united In favor honest currency have great sat
isacon in the firm belief that the masses OF the people
OF this country patriotic aud honest and that how
ever they may deludcd andecciyed for time on any
question affecting the preservation Oi free institutions
the maintenance OF the national faith and honor
majority, mt least VIII he found on the slde
OF night The work Of false leaders may have lis effect
upon local communities for time but under the full
light and open dscussOn and with courageous
leadership tn. people will take their stand Tor SOUND
aud honest dealing IL Is an elementary prn
cple political that stable currency Is
scntial To substantial prosperity The Observance oi
this principle Is important to al sections oi tho country
and to all classes OF the people, II Is OF even greater
importance the producing and aboring classes han
to the owners Of accumulated capital
INTERDEPENDENCE OF THE SECTIONS.
hat haa
been advanced this country In the discussion Of what
ia called the currency question, Is the which al
tempts deude the people into the belief that there is
an between labor and capita that the ac-
cumuated wealth Of tie older States is the enemy ofhe
laborcr and producer the and growing States
In point o fact they are mutually dependent upon each
other. Capital requires employment which VIII bcf0nnd
most readily in the West aud South, whero there remain
much 10 be developed by the combned power o labor
and capital These sections require the ad OF the accl
mulaied capital Of the East 10 open mines plant and
gat crop build cities and In thousand ways To de-
yelop the latent wealth Of vast aud fertile part of our
common country lie who attempts to aicnate be see
tions by appeals passion allaciOu arguments on
the currency question the enemy vi both sections, ana
should bc trusted by neither.
EVILS or A FTUCTUATING CURRENCY.
Scarcely less mischlcyous and certainly not less
unsound ia the notion that n uniform standard Of
values IL device OF capital. adverse to the
interests Of labOrer and producer. The nearest
poss BILE approach TO absolute stability IN the
standard Of value is best for the interests OF all De
partufe such standard and resort TO currency
Of VARYING and unsteady value, works general
injury all sections and interests. But the greatest
los at last falls upon The producer, for in that cap
ital will be diverted from its legitimate employment
aid OF production and used in speculating the mar
gins and fluctuations which such currency inevitably
creates; anything to he gained forany interest.
section the Government itself by the Introduction
standards one to be made the measure of value
GT e r nSar S holder Of d' M h%a 1
notes, and for tho pcopo at large. Logically
put INTO practice would work cy 10 every section of the
country aud to interest 0f the people The at
a currency 81 unequal value Affects more Duousll the
laborr and producer OF raw material lie has neither
formation from money centres wncn payments are
received by him. to ascertain the value OF what he
rsrd and mntilaicd bulls and the issues Of doubtful
banks go into hands OF the aborcr and producer.
vaults OF BANKERS and capitalists II the currency he
com kinds and of unequal value the cheaper viii
either case he who produces wealth by his labor is sub
ject 10 constant clipping OF MS earnings.
only the best inieres,s Of all classes OF clti-
zens. but patriotic regard for the prcser-
that tie Naion shall keep faith with all It's editors.
Having promised dollars II must pay dollars but the
promise attach To the ntcrc-t-bcariug Oh
legations oi the Government; 1t applies equally and
alike 90 Treasury notes issued III lime OF gr AT pubic
cxgency. To fat Of full and complete performance In
either would bring diSccdlt and dshonor 0n the
Government and dl-gracc upon us as people. Every
public promise pay dollar by delivery Of anything
less than dollar practical reputation. and merits
believe II Will eventually receive the condemnation Of
"a majority OF the Icopic.
CIVIL SERVICE RTFOEM
Another matter which has attracted public attention
IN th. country, aud about which much remains TO be
said aud 10 be DONE Is the elevation and reform OF
our civil Service On this subject the Republican party
of Massachusetts, has taken high and unmistakablc
position. The declaration of principles Of your last State
Convention Worcester met the cordial approval OF
sincere and caTscst friends OF reform every where
throughout the country. The organized movement for
reform may be said to be in its infancy Public atten
ton many years past has been too much absorbed by
questions "A more exciting nature to admit OF tie full
and free discussion Of this topc which must now come
But although the organized movement Tor reform S OF
origin there is much to encourage its friends To
hope for ultimate aud complete sucre because hist OF
AL we know We are right The great Kcpnnhcnh paIt{
adopted and grated into us platform resolution Ia
first thing to be- accomplished in this movement
for reform Is the abolition OF an abuse OF
administration which has been the growth OF years.
Ibis clearly ana plainly declared by the repre-
scntatiyes of the Republican party al Cincinnati Tney
demanded restoration of the just constitutional powers
of the Executive branch OF the Government ihoy de-
clred that senator's and Representative IN Congress
VINO may be judges and accusers snail not dictate np
poutments to Office and that the rule in appointments
should have reference to the honesty, ndeiity
Chief % ESccStivc C. Of of the Nation being respon-
sblc under the Constitution and answerabie to
per performance his duty In this regard should be
wholly uEtrammelled by the vicious practice Whch ha
hitherto prevailed This ablOw siluck AT hc root ol
the evil II was followed by bOli manly, clear letter
Of acceptance from Tho nominee oi tle convention Tor
the high Office OF President - Governor Hayes.
There was no lowering OF the standard WlEch
hnd Dcen lifted at Cincinnati On the contrary II was
st CHER advanced aud the people who were about 10
make choice between the candidates OF the wv" great
parties notified IN the clehrest ana most Distinct
manner that In event the or the Repub
candidate, every effort would b1 made Tor tAor1n2h
radical aud complete reform. Having succeeded III
ecciing their President friends of reform every
where roiccd at the high stand taken Dy hm III HIS III
augura address
RIFOEMERS' GROUNDS FOR HOPE
In view Of these significant facts, surely reormers