Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-03-09

blinded by ignorance and corrupted
y vice, the fall OF the republic
will be certain and remediless. The
census has already sounded the
alarm in the appalling figures
which mark how dangerously high
the tide Of illiteracy has risen
among our voters and their chill
dren.
To the South this question is Of
supreme Importance, but the re-
sponsibility for the existence OF
slavery did not rest with the South
alone. The nation itself is respon-
| sible for the extension of the suff
rage, and is under special obliga-
mons to aid in removing the Hit
eracy VIII CHI it has added to the
voting population. For the North
and South alike there Is but one
remedy. All the constitutional
powers of the nation and OF the
States and all the volunteer forces
of the people should be summoned
10 meet this danger by the saving
influence of universal education.
1t is the high privilege and sacred
duty of those now living TO edu
cate their successors and fit them
by intelligence and virtue for the
inheritance which awaits them. In
this beneffcent work sections and
races should be forgotten and par
tisanship should be unknown. Let
our people find 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 re-
public.
any CouDtrymen We do not now
LITER in our judgment concerning the
controversies OF past generations, ano
f V wears hence our children will no.
,e divided in their opinions concerning
,ur controversies. They will surely
less their fathers and their fathers
God that the Union was preserved
hat slavery was overthrow, and thai
both races were made equal before the
aw. We may hasten, or we may re-
ard, but We cannot prevent the hnal
generalization. Is 1t not possible for US
| low 10 make truce With time BY
| nticipation and accepting its inevita-
| lie verdict Enterprises Of the highest
| Importance to our moral and material
| gell.beiug invite US and offer ample
cope tor the employ ment of our besI
poMers Let all our people, leaving
behind them the baLtle-feds of deau
,sues, move forward, in the strength
If liberty aud the restored Union, 10
The grander victories of peace.
The prosperity which now prevails is
Ailhout PARALLEL in Our history. Fruit
fll seasons have done mueh to secure
t, but they have not done all. The
observation of the public credit, and
the resumption OF specie payments, so
successfully attained by the administra-
ion If my predecessors. has enabled
our people TO secure the blessings which
The sea, Gus brought. By the expert
. &c Of commercial nations, IN all ages.
lit has been found that gold and silver
ford the ONLY safe foundation for
monetary system. Confusion has re.
Gently been created by variations in the
relative value OF the two metals, but |
confidently believe that arrangements
can be made between the leading COM
uercial nations which will secure the
general use OF both metals. Congress
should provide that the compulsory
coinage Of oliver now required by Ia"
IN Y not disturb our monetary system
by diving either metal out Of clrcula-
len. II possible, suchan adjustment
should be made that the purchasing
power Of every coined dollar will b.
exactly equal 10 its debt.paying power
in all the markets Of the world.
The chief duty Of the national gov.
eminent 10 connection with the curren.
cY Of the country Is TO coin money and
declare it's value. Grave doubts have
been entertained whether Congress 10
authorized by The Constitution to make
any form ofpaper money legal tender.
The present issue Of United States
uotes has been sustained by the neces.
sites of war, but such paper should de.
pend Tor its value and currency upon
IS convenience in use and its prompt
redemption 10 coin at the will Of the
holder, and not upon its compulsory
circulation. These notes are not money
but promises to pay money. IT the
holders demand 1t the promise should
be kept. The reflnding Of the national
debt at a lower rate of interest should
be accomplished without compelling the
Withdrawal of the national bank notes,
aud thus disturbing the interests Of the
country. / ventures TO refer 10 the |
position l have occupied on financial
questions during long service in Con.
gress, and to say that time and expert
ence have strengthened the opinions l |
have so often expressed on these sue.
ipcfa