Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-09-17
WHAT is TO BE GAINED !?


WHIST is to be gained by change in
the administration p The very uneer-
tainty as to its results upon the Hnan-
'cial and business policy of the country
lis an element which would at once
prove perplexing and embarrassing to
the business man. 1t would add i'm
measurably to- the risks Of business
by increasing the doubts as to what
would be done and what left undone
in matters of vital Importance. The
future would be filed with clouds
which might pass harnllessly away, or
inntght be precursors of storm and
wreck. Who could tell? The Imam
soial policy OF the Republican party,
which has brought about and main
tanned resumption, and made the
whole currency of the country as good
= az gold, is now having bensicent ef-
feet upon the business Of the country.
What improvement on that policy is
to be expected by changer Is there
not rather danger, and great danger
that change may not only not make
Improvement, but that it may imperil,
IL not destroy, the whole fabric, and
with it the credit OF the government
which has been exalted to the highest
point by the Republican policy Is
there anything in the history OF the
Democratic party for the last fifteen
years which would commend it to the
thoughtful as a safe conservator of the
finances, or of the government credit ?
and have business men anything to
hope from a mere change in officials,
even if the old policy were preserved
There can be but enc answer to the
question. O.
Would even the chance Of radical
change in the tariff be sufficient to JUS
tify prudent business men in taking
the risks which it would involve, and
rom winch there would ho no escape ?
We will not allude to the many inter-
ests which might be unfavorably af-
fected, if not blighted and destroyed,
nor to the check which it would give
to yet undeveloped business enterprise
any further than to inquire if the dan
ger OF an actual loss to business is not
far greater than the probability oil
gain. BY this We do not claim that
the tariff is. perfect in all its details
but We contend for the soundness Of
the principle. 1t is a system which
may perhaps require such well-consid-
sred notifications or adjustments as
do not conflict with the principle, and
we submit to the caRdid consideration
or all whether it would not be safer
and less disturbing to all business in
terests to intrust such matters of detail
10 friends, who are acquainted with
rne workings Of the system rather than
80 avowed eaclnie3-those who would
tlke the handspring out of q watch as
an encumbrance, and then expect tc
see the wheels 90 round better than
before
The main condition which business
men require in the conduct of their Of
fairs is stability. Each one wants tc
know not only where he stands but
the standing of those with whom he
has business relations. Confidence be
gets credit, and credit is a synonym Of
prosperity, while on tho other hand
doubt and uncertainty beget distrust,
and distrust md suspicion are the evil
forces which undermine and destroy
business enterprise. Credit, we repeat
Is the synonym of prosperity. Will al
prudent business men who do not dis
sent from this doctrine, make an ap
piication of 1t to the affairs Of the coun
try at the present time and draw their
own differences Let them. look at tht
price of the Government per cen
bonds, which show our credit to be
sQual to that Of England, so long the
treasure house of the world. Let then
look at it, and then consider through
what continuous obstacles, through
what efforts for reputation, through
what clamor for imitation, and through
what opposition for resumption thu
national credit has been brought t.
this high point 1t was not luck i
was not accident. 1t was but the ap
plication of business principles to TIN
task on hand, BY whom was this &C
complished, and upon whom would
the shame and disgrace of fail
ure have fallen if tho courageous re
solve to pay our debts In full and +,
,honestlyuSe our great resources to thu
and had not succeeded The answe
must bs, the Republican party. T.
that party the credit is due, and with
that party the management of the Fl
fnances Of tla country should BIO left
for there is much more to be accom-
splished, in the further saving of inter
est and the payment of the debt. TIL
past OF the Republican, party is secure
and 1t could well afford to retire upo
it's laurels. But the country, the bu
iuess men ofthe country, cannot affor
TO have it do 20. The experimer