Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-03-14

In this bene6cent work sections and
races should be forgotten, and partisan
ship should be unknown. Let our peo-
pie find a new meaning in the divine
oracle which declares that "a little child
shall lead them," for our little children
will soon control the destinies of the
Republic.
My countrymen, we do not now differ
in our judgment concern ing the contro-
versies of past generations, and fifty
years hence our children will not be di
vided in their opinions concerning our
controversies. They will surely bless
their fathers God that the Union was
preserved, that slavery was overthrown,
and that both races were made equal be-
fore the law. We may hasten or we
may retard, but we cannot prevent the
final reconciliation. 1t is not possible
for us now to make truce with time by
anticipating and accepting its inevitable
verdict.
Enterprises of the highest importance
to our moral and material we'll being in
vite us, and offer ample scope for the
employment Of our best powers. Let
all our people, leaving behind. them the
battle fields of dead issues, move for
ward, and in the strength of liberty and
the restored Union win the grander VIC
tories of peace.
FINANCIAL QUESTIONS.
The prosperity which now prevails
is without parallel in our history.
Fruitful seasons have done much to Sc
cure it, but they have not done all. The
preservation of the public credit, and
the resumption of specie payments SO
successfully attained by the Admins
tration of my predecessors has enabled
our people to secure the blessing which
the seasons brought. By the experience
of commercial nations in all ages it has
been found that gold and silver afford
the only safe foundation for monetary
system. Confusion has recently been
created by variations in the relative val
ue of the two metals, but | confidently
believe that arrangements can be made
between the leading commercial nations
which will secure the general use of
both metals. Congress should provide
that the compulsory coinage of silver
now required by lew may not disturb
our monetary system, by driving either
metal out of circulation. If possible
such an adjustment should be made that
the purchasing power of every coined
dollar will be exactly equal to its debt
paying power in all the markets of the
world.
The chief duty of the National Gov
ernment in connection with the currency
of the country is to coin apd declare its
value. Grave doubts have been enter
tanned whether Congress is authorized
by the Constitution to make any form
of paper money legal tender. The pre-
sent issue of United States notes has
been sustained by the necessities of war
but such paper should depend for it,
value and currency upon its convenience
in use and its prompt redemption in coir
at the will of the holder, and not upor
its compulsory circulation. These notes
are not money, but promises to pay
money. If the holders demand it, the
promise should be kept.
The refunding of the National deb
at lower rate of interest should be &C
complished without compelling the with
drawal of the National bank notes, anC
thus disturbing the business of the coun
try. | venture to refer to the position
| have occupied on financial question
during long service in Congress, an(
to say that time and experience hav
strengthened the opinions have so of
ten expressed on these subjects.
The finances of the Government shall
suffer no detriment which it may be pos
sible for my administration to prevent.
AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES AND
COMMERCE.
The interests of agriculture deserv,
more attention from the Governmen
than they have yet received. The farm
of the United States afford homes an,
employment for more than one half ou
people and furnish much the larges
, part of all our exports. AS the Gov
, ernment lights our coasts for the pre-
lection of mariners and the benefit o
commerce, so it should give to the tiller
of the soil the lights of practical scienc
and experience.
Our manufactures are rapidly maxim
US industrially independent and ar
opening to capital and labor new an
profitable fields of employment. Thi
steady and healthy growth should sti
be maintained. Our facilities for trans
portation should be promoted by tn
continued improvement of our harbor
t and great interior waterways and by tn