Year: 1865

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to throw increasing light upon other phases


OF the problem, and we are bound 10 hold


ourselves in such candid spirit as TO be


able readily to accept whatever the logic OF


events may teach, and cordially to COOP


crate with each ether in the oempletion of


that policy which may finally be decided on.


=, PERSONAL OPINIONS.


HaVlng been questioned with regard 90
my personal opinions | have answered


frankly and fully 1t is not necessary for me


70 discuss the question further. have no


disposition to force my opinions upsn 9TH
eers, and have only desired, by indicating the


TACT that there are divers modes of carrying


out the same process, to keep the question


open, and leave it for those to whom we


nave entrusted 1t, to determine, when the


proper time arrives, what shall be the 40


matter. I hat it will be determined rightly


and wisely by the united wisdom of the low


al men Of the nation, cannot doubt


When men agree in principle, time, itself,


always tends to bring them together upon


an questions Of practical detail; and the


history OF the past four years gives US nu-
merous examples of that fact that great d.
Vergence ofopinion, under the pressure of
rapidly progressing events, soon becomes
general agreement and cordial cooperation.


AR. LINcoLN's WAY.


Our convention wisely adverted to the
policy and habitual frame of mind Of our
late lamented President. la the earlier
part Of bis administration his indisposition
10 determine In advance precisely what
course he would take in given emergency,
was often assailed as weakness, but before
his death the people had learned to regard
It as sagacity. and deep wisdom, and to see
that IN such cases the solution Of difficulties
seemed e to grow cut OF the very crisis Of the
difficulties themselves. Initiating that ex-
ample We can not go far wrong, and we
shall have reason to congratulate ourselves
II we 90 not yield the emotions of eur owa
disposition to the crafty pressure of our ad-
Versafles, III accepting issues in advance of
the real necessity.


OTHER RESPoNSIBILTTTEs-FINA


The responsibility which rests upon us il
not with relation to these problems alone,
but the material interests Of the country are
committed to our charge. Those who have
opposed the prosecution of the war are nat
uraiiy hostile to any financial policy which
iooHs toward mantully bearing the burdens
Which the war has put upon US. Already
we hear III the ranks of our adversaries
muttered threats of breaking these contracts
by which the Government secured the loan
OF the popular wealth during the progress
OF the struggl e. The public mind would be
too greatly shocked by an immediate and
open avowal of purpose of reputation,
but an entering wedge is sought for in the
proposal to violate the agreement with re-
gard to the taxation ei the public bonds,
which was made part Of the original con-
tract Tor the loan. If we permit ourselves
to break any portion Of the agreement the
public faith is dishonored, and any scheme
ofrepudlation may easily follow. Our ma
tlonal honor aud credit depend upon our
keeping to the strictest letter the agreement
which We made in the time of eur distress.
1t will be within the power Of the Govern
ment to change the fern OF its Indebtedness
at some future day by new loans-possibly
upon more favorable terms-and the pay
men: Of the old loan may be made in a man
ner consistent with good faith and with our
agreement. Whenever the opportunity for
this arrives there is no fear that the loyal
men OF the country will not be as anxious
and as deter mined in policy of strict econ
omy and OF the saving of expenditure as
those who have been the enemies of the na-
ton. The burden is upon ALL The desire
to diminish its weight BY every honest
means Will be strong in all portions of the
Every retrenchment which is
consistent with the proper administration
OF affairs, any means of tightening the bur-
den we have to bear, will be sought for by
those whom you have entrusted with the
legislation and administration of the Gov
eminent. Those who were willing to lay
their lives and their fortunes upon Che altar
of their country will not be found unwilling
to reduce to the lowest practical point the
sacrifices and the labors which the people
are called upon TO undergo.


THE PUBLIC DUTY OF THE HOUR.


The spirit of disoyaty and oppression
will seek, by pretenses Of all sorts, to dis
tract the attention OF the people from the
work before Us. Our only urseis, with
united determination, to go forward in the
of the task we have begun; and
to insist that no dissensions, anong those
We really love the country, shall take the
Of Its affairs out Of the
hands of those who have guided it safely
through the heat Of the struggle; that the
work of scrutinizlsg the honesty Of our pub
lie officers, and exercising that economy
which we all desire shall not be given into
the hands Of our enemies, but that, by
holding our own public servants to strict
account, we will ourselves see to it that ev-
cry thing which thrift and economy can do
shall be done to diminish the burden which
the people are bearing.


Such then, is the view | take of the duty
of the hour Most of my mature life has
been spent among you. You know whether
am entitled to claim credence for the hon
esty aud sincerity of my purposes. To you
l confidently appeal tossustaln me in urging
tolerance and thorough unity upon all 10y
al men, and in prophesying that by such
means alone shall we be able to accomplish
those results which we so earnestly desire.