The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-10-02
THE BUSINESS ASPECT OF THE
CANVASS.

| One of the commoneSt arguments used
| by Democratic orators in favor of the
election of Gen. Hancock to the PreSi-
dency is, that I" the county needs q
change" politically. And yet, no argu-
ment is more fallacious. For every can
did Democrat knows that what gives to
| the business of the country its present
prosperity, is the high standing of the
| National credit at home and abroad: the
fact that the poor mans greenback is as
good as the poor or rich man bond-for
the poor are the bondholders as We'll as
the rich. The fact that the National
| bank currency is the best ever known.
and absolutely safe, and the fact that our
| National industries and manufactures
| are protected against ruinous foreign
| competition. He knows further. if he
| be an intelligent man. that these neces-
sary conditions Of national prosperity are
| the results of Republican Administration
| of our public affairs. That under Re-
publican Administrations the national
| debt has been reduced from -, 1,JG, 43l,-
5i1.4i on the 3lst of August, 1865, to
| 81. 919. 1926, 1919 on June 50. 1880. No
such splendid demonstration of national
honor. pride power and resources, was
ever made in the world S history, and it
is this which has convinced all the capt
talists of the Old World that the Repub-
lie they thought broken and doomed has
i'll it more of the elements Of growth and
endurance than they had ever before
dreamed possible. American credit in
the foreign markets has been one of the
essential elements OF our present pros
perity, as cSofy intelligent men well
knows.
But not only have we won the worlds
conftence-which means getting its
money at low rates-by this magnificent
debt reduction. The tax burdens of the
people are largely reduced by the reduc-
ton of the debt and of the rate of in
tcrest. And this bcneticent process is
by no means completed. If our present
financial Legislation and policy are allow
eel to stand and continuc, fUr four years
more the interest ON nearly 500, COG. 600
of bonds will be largely reduced. s21S,
9222. 200 of these bonds are at the rate of
6 per ccntum, and $iS4. 1870. $50 are at the
rate of five per ccntum. With no change
of administration. with no risks of legis-
lation increasing the volume of green
backs. OF making large appropriations for
the rebel WAY claims already filed-all
this can be easily funded at three aud Il
half per centun, which would reduce our
annual burden Of taxation by over SIS
900, 600,
Will Domoer,ltiC capitalists feel sure of
attaining this grand result under the
Presidency of a 'grcenhorn'' in Iinance
who was nominated By. and would owe
his election to the solid South where,
aloiie, States are making the question of
partial o. total reputation great issue,
where the isosest notions of financial
morality have long prevailed and where |
the widest expectations of Whole sale |
raids " Oil the Federal Treasury are en-
tertaineds |
Will such Democrats, on the other
hand, examine the record of Gen. Gar
field on all the questions involving the |
financial interests and credit of The coun-
try? No such record has been made by
any oihet Meniber Of either branch of
Congress.
AS early as 1866, while Yet I, young
member, and while the attention of mere
politicians was absorbed by reconstruc-
ton, he took firm ground on the currency
and the tariff. There was no immediate
profit, aid much immediate risk. i'll TAX
ing the positions he Tie. uefeG.lei and
has ever since consistently maintained |
But he threw the whole vi"or of his ire
mendous working powers into these prac-
teal questions. lie explored all the
available text books on nna..e and polit-
zeal economy that he could find. in Eng
fish and German. and learned French. in
order to read the mastcly treatises in
that language. He foresaw that the war
i<siiss wQpld die out and that the bust
ness issues --oDid sroW into commanding
Importance. siHpe then, tie.e las been
no debate or business questions, in ~.iich
he has not ably maintained the solid
principles that are now vindicated by the
}hounding prosperity of the country.
80 law has been passed affecting bust
ness in whose forming lie has not taken
4 leading part. With such Il piiot ~ .he
helm the country could be sure that the
Ship of State would not be run against
my Of the hidden rocks or shoals for
30 .Gows them all. lie knows all the
rrctcnccs ana DISCUSSES under which in
iationism and Republication nave assqiled
'ongress. His Messages would present.
c Congress and the people the financial !
ssues, with such kEogledge, ability, !