National Republican., 1880-02-19
HONOR TO WHOM HONOR Is DUE.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. is, 1ss

years past a regular reader oil LIE NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN, and in general have been very
well pleased with the tone and temper of its
contents. We have been especially pleased in
view OF the very generally Stalwart stand
that 1t has taken upon tho side of those who
have any just oiaim to have stood up IN the
defense of our National honor, or who have
impcriled their lives to perpetuate our Ma
tional existence. Nor have we been disposed
to demur, that ms q journalist You have held
up as first and foremost among these as you
have perfect right to do the illustrous name
Of U. S. GRANT.
But at the same time, while there may be 80
much of an appropriateness in giving so great
prominence TO the name of the distinguished
warrior aud statesman, we can see no good
reason why 1t should be done as II sometimes
seems to have been, by wholly ignoring the
claim to our regard and to our gratitude of the
name and the merits of JOHN SHERMAN. Who
has yet forgotten that in the year preceding
the resumption Of specie payments" every
thing was done that it was possible to do to
hedge up his path in the way of discourage
ment, both Houses of Congress opposed to
his policy, fiat fanatics and fat fools standing
in his way, aud yet despite them all he has
gone ahead aud fearlessly fought the fnan-
cial battle to most glorious success, aud not
wthstandng his enemies and a vast National
debt, has triumphanuy carried our country
to height of National prosperity unparalleled
in the history of nations.
Under his directing hand, our monetary
system has been established upon a basis so
fixed and so firm that IL has gained for us as a
people a confidence and n credit, both at home
and abroad, never before equaed in the history
OF the American Nation.
The American tourist, aud our American
missionaries in Japan, China, Africa and India
can but feel that they owe a debt of gratitude
to tho far-reaching and widely comprehensive
ct, ,t.g,, L.,
to go ahead so pcrseveringly aud so persist
emily in the face of opposition, until he most
glorously triumphcd in establshingan eqality
of values between the gold and tho greenback
dollar.
Let us not forget tho apostolic Injunction
ito render to all their dues" &c. Very
respectfully yours, p. II. BURGHARDT.
We give space to the above letter for the
purpose Of rendering to the author the as
surances of our most respectful considera-
tion, and to define more clearly than our
correspondent seems TO understand our
position and views relating to the next Re-
publican candidate for the Presidency. In
the first place, we yield to none in our
respect, confidence and admiration for the
financial abilities Of Secretary SHERMAN.
| We would not pluck a single feather from
his financial plume, which now mods so
proudly in the breeze. He has won and is
entitled to the distinction of having man
aged the financial policy of the Nation with
consummate ability. lie has executed the
law providing for resumption with marked
tact and sagacity. He has paid and re-
| funded the National debt with admirable
skill and judgment, irrespective of the dog.
mas and contrivances Of fat fanatics and
fat fools" We cheerfully accord to him
that he has "fearlessly fought the financial
battle " rs the law and his duty rs CHIEF
financial officer of the Nation required ol
him, and that n vast National debt has been
promptly reduced ms the resources of the
country afforded him the ability to accom-
plish that end. All this has been faithfully
done in accordance with law aud duty, and
he is entitled TO full credit for executing
the financial policy of the Government uu-
der the guiding hand Of his own integrity
He had the law and the right with him, and
TO have taken any other course would have
been to bring ruin TO himself and disaster
! to his country. But he has been faithful
| TO his trust, and is entitled TO the same
measure of respect that attaches to fidelity
in Office in any other direction To the dis
charge Of his official duties, Secretary SHER-
MAN has encountered that measure of hos
tility and opposition which the enemies OF
| the policy Of the Administration have ar
rayed against every Department of the Gov
L.. I
/ only, perhaps he has been more shining
mark for their shafts. lie has fought his
battle nobly and successfully, and shares
! largely of the respect and admiration of his
country as his reward. If his ambition
seeks more, it is to be hoped that il may
not " "o'erleap itself and fall on The other
" side" and thus forfeit in any degree the
rich estate Of popular respect that he has
thus far garucrcd TO himself
This is our attitude toward Secretary
SHERMAN in the pending contest for the
Presidential nomination. Our preference
has been, from the first dawning of the cam
vass for a Presidential nomination, for
General GRANT; aud for reasons that have
heen so frequently given that it would be
supernuous TO reiterUto them here. We
adhere TO this preference, and cannot in.
dulge any other until this one shall have
been abandoned. We do not deem il wise
to swap horses while crossing the stream
neither can we indulge the luxury of riding
more than one horse at time in this con
test. While we are thus faithful to oul
preference, we utterly disclaim any feeling
Of hostility toward any rivals for this dis
tinctiou, that will lead us to dispapg,
their characters, claims or chances by wore
or act that is not consistent with an honor
able aud just warfare, if warfare i
? can he called, where none but friendly
feeling is involved. What we seel
in this contest is the success o
the Republican party and the welfare of TN
common country, If these can best be sub