Year: 1878

that the American market for their cOtton
products is fast becoming extinct. Inere
has been steady decrease from igs'0o'0o0 'O0o'oo0
yards exported to US in 1871 to 5o,uoo,VoO
ards in 1876, being at the rate OF 81 per
cent, Upon the, whole, therefore, 1t may
we'll be supposed that the time Is not far
distant when we shall shut out British cot
ton goods permanently from our market
The fifth annual report of the Sik Associ-
alton of America, dated May 5, 1877, shows
couclusively that the elk industry of the
United States has reached high degree OF
success and is abundautly able TO take care
of itself. l am not to be understood as
being adverse to the prosperity OF our
manufacturing interests. They should now
be placed upon the same footing with every
other department. of productive industry:
The bill reported by the committee makes
but slight reductions from the existing
tariff. These red uctions are made In way
and in q direction that will not affect exist
ing manufactures. They are rather IN
tended as an indication that the special
favor which has been go long extended
must sooner or later be materially modified
and finally be withdrawn altogether.


THE GENERAL POLICY AND SCHEME OF THE


BILL


ia to resuscitate American commerce, to
re establish our position as one OF the
foremost maritime nations OF the worlo,
and by this means to develop to Its full
extent the material resources OF the nation.
Will not this advance the manufacturing
interests of the country and, in contem-
plating the needs of the country, is 1t not
time for statesmen and thoughtful men to
raise themselves above the mere conflicts
of party Z Is there no higher object worthy
of their effort than to become mere partl-
zap retainers and gladiators Is 1t not the
duty of the intellect of the nation with OPP
portunity in public life, to initiate and
shape legislation looking to fuller devel-
opment of our material resources and q
more profitable use of the advantages
which God and nature have given usf The
late war, like all wars, especially In repuo-
| lies, threw into the leading places IN the
public councils those who had commended
themselves to public favor by military
achievements. do not declare that sol
diers cannot be statesmen; history mas


many brilliant examples to the contrary
but do say that for the past fifteen years


the heroes of our late war, from whose


merits I would not detract, have occupied
almost entirely the control of our civl


affairs, thrusting aside, by their hclo upot
popular esteem, those who by their tram


ing, great abilities and much higher quail


fications we're better fitted for the purposes


of the state. Is it unjust, therefore, u


attribute to this fact much of our presen


distress and lack of material progress


Now, however, the time has2come whei
men can stand upon their own merits 10


the purposes required, and we can seek th


great minds of the country to lead US on


ward in the important struggle for naAona


grandeur, power, and wealth. Ihe her
has been remembered and rewarded lie
US do likewise by those who will lead u
, out of the present labyrinth of despair an
noint to the road which will keep us troI
like condition hereafter.