Year: 1870

the consent OF this House, took posses.
sion of tho territory and hoisted our
| flag over 1t, we were placed in posi-.
ton, when, to rcfusc TO coiIsummate
the transaction, might have placed the
Government in an cquivocal position
in the eyes Of other nations; and anx-
lous that nothing should be done to lay
this Government liable to the charge
OF bad faith, the House thought it bet
ter to pay the money; but l trust that
no Executive will ever repeat that vi
olation OF law and duty. In the de.
bate, at that time, / took occasion to
say that, IN no case thereafter would l
vote Tor an appropriation OF money Tor
the purchase OF territory, whatever the
circumstances might be, unless my
Judgment sanctioned the propriety Of
The purchase, and such, l think l can
safely say, was the general feeling and
determination Of the House; aud my
own conviction is that there is no for
eign territory, the acquisition of which
would be SO valuable to us as to iusti-
fy the appropriation of money for its
purchase
Now, Mr.. Chairman, I do not pre-
tend to aspire to be particularly a.cham-
plon for economy, or TO. acquire any
glory by advocating it; my observation
is. that the reverse is the reward a
member receives for taking that course
at least, IN this Hall and this Capitol
/ simply desire, as an humble member
of this House, and yet a Representa-
tive Of large and deeply interested
constituency, TO do what l may toward
making good our pledges to the peo-
pie of retrenchment and reform.


Our constituents desire this, not SO
much tor the purpose of a more rapid
liquidation OF the public debt, as for
the purpose Of the reduction of tax,
alton. The State and local taxation OF
the people, especially OF the West. is
very heavy. The Improvement and
building up of new country, supply.
ing it with public buildings, with gen
eral and local improvements, churches,
school-housss and colleges, and sus-
tanning them, often in sparsely settled
communities with comparatively bu,
little wealth, necessarily require heavy
taXation.e


The opening up of the Southern
States to trade and commerce and the
increase of business over the entire
country has rendered the supply Of
currency inadequate to the wants and
necessities OF business, thus causing a
stiingency in the money market which
is severely felt, and in consequence OF
which, taken in connection with the
eStortion of railroad companies, has
materially reduced the price of the ag-
ricultural products OF the West. The
people have borne heavy burdens dur.
ing the war and they waut rest. Aud,
in view OF all the facts, have, sir. no
hesitation in saying that it is not the
policy OF true craftsmanship to attempt
to hasten the payment, at an early day,
of the principalot our debt, but instead
thereof to obtain the refunding of the
greater portion OF it at a lower rate OF
interest and to reduce taxation.


Our revenue is larger than is ncccs-
sary now. and with decreased cxpendi-
lures taxation can be materially re-.
duccd. So far rs it can be done with.
out reducing the revenue too much,
let the duties be removed from all ar
ticles OF necessity and of comfort
which cannot be produced III this coun-
try to the extent OF our wants: first of
all, OFT tea, coffee and sugar, those com.
forts alike of the poor mans cottage
and the rich mans mansion, and in the
words of a great British statesman,
'I.et all the people have free break
lasts"


Do this, and give TO the West and
South $4,000, 900 additional currency,
that the business and improvements OF
the country may lie carried forward,
and, with the energy and power of the
nation directed into the peaceful chan
uels of agricultural mechanical and
commercial industry, the country will
improve AS with the touch OF a magic
wand. All its dcser: places will be
made fruitful and its waste places built
up under the fostering care OF a kind,
just and frugal Government.


To my mind, sir, this is the path
pointed out to us by true statesman.
ship iE which to walk, and which leads
to peace, contentment and happiness,
instead Of that other path, the goal of
which is national conquest and glory,
and which, although tor the time being
may dazzle the people with the glitter
OF its pomp AMI power, will assuredly
end in national bankruptcy and nation
al ruin. 81