THE WALLACE TESTIMONIAL
Hinqnrl to the Hon. William A. Wnllafr.
fhelrmanof the Itrmnrrallr flats; Com
lttee-- III Ai)drr the Orraal.ia
KrKerhre. n4 liters frern Other IMs.
tlnfl atlru.
As soon a it was definitely ascer
tained that Pennsylvania lind been
redeemed from Radical rule, (says the
Philadelphia Age of tlio 28th ult.,)
several hundred leading TVmocratscf
Philndoljiliiu enmo togotlicr, and it was
unanimously agreed that much of the
credit of the victory was Uuo to tho
energy and ability of tho lion. Wm.
A. Wallace, Chairman of tho State
Central Committco, and that a com
plimentary dinnor should bo tendered
to that gentleman, ae murk ot appre
ciation for his valuable, services. For
the purposo of carrying out that in
tention, a committco wns appointed,
and the fallowing correspondence
took place :
Priudslfii,, Nev. 11, 18(7.
Peak Sir : We have been instructed by a num
ber of tho Democratic eitisens of the City or Phil
adelphia to communicate their desire to (five you
a pubucdinner in token of their high appreciation
of yovr eervioee as Chairman of liie iJeiuneratic
relate Central Committee of Pennsylvania in the
management of the late political can, and r,f
tseir eeliet that to your euerjry and unurint; seal
ia tbe orgnnianiiou ol our lewu.-ratio diuki in
no email dttgreo iuuv be attnbuttid the signal tri
umph which that party achieved over the corrupt
Radical foreee wbieh bavo to lotift oppressed1 and
diajtraeed tbe Keyitone btate. That victory may
be rcrardod aa tu oauee and procuraor of the ub
aequeut triumphs of tbe Pemocraey in New YoTk,
New Jersey and other States, and by tlieco the
fatnro ia made bright with hope for the L'uion,
the Constitution and tbe Una.
Hoping that your engagements will not Interfere
with tbe wishes of thoae wa represent, and that
yoa will name a day wbKh it will auit you to
meat your fullow-eitUons aa proposed, we ore, 4
Very rcspectfullv,
JAMES! PAOK,
W. C. PATTfcRSOK,
J. lUNALPO SANK,
UII.MKS DALLETT,
'HAS. BOtlKHH,
JIKNRY M. PHILLIPS,
1IENKY MPi),
J. M. ltOIiU,
F. M. HI. Null AM.
It Wivmau A. Willacb, Esq., Chairman, lc
Ci-iAkrittii, Ti.i Xov. 13, ISfi".
Ol'Tiiiiili! t am In receipt of yonn of tlic
11th Inst., eipretslng a desire of number of the
liemoeratic citiuns of Philadelphia, to giro me a
public dinnoi1, in tokoa of Lbeir appreciation of my
services aa Chairman of the Pi-uiiK-ratic (State Ccu
tral Committoe of Pennsylvania, Ac, and asking
as to name a day therefor.
In disavowing all claim to the merit you so
generously accord to me, i cannot but express my
gratitude for this mark of your confidence nrd
esteem, aad this is deepened by tbe reflection that
it comes from gentlemen with whom it has teen
my province to art, from whom I sought counsel,
and without whose energetic aid all that I could
do would have been futile.
Were I to consult any us inclinations, I would
decline tba honor you propose; but, bouml to you
and to those you represent, as I am, by all the
lias that eaa hind man to man, and Democrat to
Democrat. 1 recognise my l'y to accept your in
vitation. I will he In Philadelphia nn Wednesday, No
vember 17, and name that day for the meeting yon
aoggest. Very respect I uily, yours,
WILLIAM A. WALLACE.
To Colonel Jai:s Page and others, Committee.
Tho proposed plan culminated in
tho grand banquet at tho Continental
Hotel, last evening, of which we pro
pose to recount tho leading incidents,
no far 08 the pen can do it juBticc. At
the time appointed, half-past five
o'clock, the guests invited to partici
pate in doing honor to tho lion. Wil
liam A. Wallace, met in the parlors
of the Continental Hotel, to the num
ber of one hundred and fifty, and after
introductory services, and hand shak
ing, and congratulations upon tho
brightened aspect of our national af
fairs, they adjourned to tho bnnqnet
ing hall, whero better to discuss the
events connected with our late victor
ies, duo, in a great part, to tho untiring
efforts or Mr. Nalluco, ana to aojus
tice to tho bounty provided for them.
Tho Age then describes tho supper-
room and banqueting scene, and cays
at halt-past seven Colonel James 1'ogo
ocenpied the chair, and nftcr having
tailed to order tho banqueting parly.
proposod to givo tho regular toasts,
tho third of which was:
"Orit Ortsv Tba Hon. William A. Wallace,
Chairman of the Dcinocratie State Central Com
miUee. The able, honest and faithful In-mocrnt,
whose services will he long and gratefully remem
bered by the Democracy of Pennsylvania."
Xo soonor had this toast been an
nounced than tho guests nil arose and
gave thrco hearty cheers and a tiirr,
winch verily mado mo wans ring.
Acknowledging this,tho Hon. William
A. Wallace replied as follows :
Mr. I'reriuknt and (vkntlfmem : I
m ilewmlv rrralefiil to Vou for the
complimont you liftvo paid mo. In
the performance of my functions as
tho Chairman of vour Committoe, I
have done no more than my simple
duty. In this broad and noblo win
men wealth there are an liundrod thou
sand Democrats -who have as much
ritrht tocrodit and honor as myeli.
They performed their duty in their
sphere ot action ; tnry nave wiinswon
persecution, opprolnum and contumo
ly, and they have had undyine fuilh
inonrnrincirtlos.and determined oour-
age in their maintenance. I ask at
vnnr I. a ml a n.nd that of the llitHV no
hiirher credit than that to which lfool
thev are lusllv entitled.
In tho contest that have passed
inco 1 was called to the head of your
ormnir.stion. I have been actnatod try
what I was tanght to boliove was right,
and which 1 hoped would Old in re
lieving from hor embarrassments our
distressed and bleeding country, in
resnondinir to the sentiment you nro-
ose, I shall, ns briefly e possihlo,
speak of the subject now agitating
the public mind, and in this respect
will denart from the usual enstom
tinon occasion of this chnrncter. Tho
condition of the countrvdemandsfrom
all of ns our most ardent effort for
ils relief, and the most practical view
we run tjikn of onr sllnation, finan
cially and politically, to my mind,
seems tho best.
It is said that rations resemble in
dividuals. In their growth from in-
lancv to ar?e. from poveitr to wosnn
Irom weakness to powor, and in their
teelino from greatness to oblivion,
ihcre exist a similarity. Man' most
exalted faculty, that ol intellectual pro
press, iseqnal'iy the faculty of nations.
The same impulses nnd principles, de
firos and interests that lead and con
Irnl tho destinies of nations, rule and
direct the energios of men, and a di
vinity shapes thoirends as it doe the
ims and purposes of all things human.
If this be true, and if the enpneity
ir progress, tlio tondaney to disease,
.! 3. j ... .1.. j...: r,. -
nu curimniy oi nonm, iu
health, for physical well-being, nnd
CLEA
it
GEO. B. GOODLANDEE, Proprietor. PRINCIPLES NOT MEN. TERMS-$2 per annum, in Advance.
VOL. 38-WIIOLE NO. 2019. CLEAKF1ELD, PA, THURSDAY, DEC. 12, 1807. NEWSERIES-VOLS, NO. 21.
for moral position, arc found both in
nations and in men, and it tho tamo
reasons that govern us in our inter
course with each other and prompt us
to individual etl'orl should control us in
administering our governmental ulluirs
wo have a rulo by which wo may
measure our conduct theroof, and it
light by which wo may search for tho
true path to national greatness and
prosperity. !,
An onormous debt encunibors tho
nation, grinding taxation oppress o
tho people nud pi-ostrntca every busi
ness interest. Our credit is below
par, and our paper is selling in the
markets of tho world at less thau three
fourths of its nominal vubo.
In such a conditio!! of bis affairs,
w hat would be the conduct of an bun
ornblo and prudent bnsiiH't-s man.
Itccogniz'mg hia obligations to pay
his debts, however he might mourn
tho disaster that entailed them upon
him, ho would taliO immcdinto blcps
to curtail his expenses, to increase his
resources, nnd to unprovo Lis credit,
lie would put forth nil bis energy in
tho development of bis property ; he
would so far as possible, relievo bis la
borers from tasation and encourage
their industry, and ho would cxereiso
thrift and frugality in every depart
ment of his household and business,
and thus, us rapidly ns possible ac
quiio tho means to restore his shatter
ed credit and disencumteruis estates.
In placing his business matters up
on, such a'basis. ho at onco strengthens
his credit, and if he asks his creditors
for more timo to pay, they promptly
acccdo. His promises to pay, pass cur
rent at a less rule of depreciation, and
ho can contract loans more cheuply
thnn beforo.
Aro those who govern us in Con
gress pursuing such a course in con
trolling tho iinnnciul affairs ot the
Ilcpublicf lluvo they hssenod our
expense to the figures commensurate
with a just and prudent administra
tion of the government T
In our business matters, when wc
find embniTafnif nt remlting from
debt, nnd wo wish to place ouruIVairs
upon a firm footing, wc look to tho
cause that produced the debt, and en
deavor thero to apply the remedy. If
wo find that it has been canted by ex
travagance, wo endeavor to stop it,
and thns relievo ourselves. Extrava
gance of all kinds entered into and
makes part of onr enormous debt, and
wparenwnvc of tho fact thatmtich of
the cxtravaganco still exists. Why not
use tho necessary remedy, ttnd end it f
Whilo it may bo conceded that
much of the machinery called into
being by the war cannot bo conduct
ed ns cheaply now us in 1W0, and that
a part thereof cannot bo dispensed
with, still it is clear that much of it
can bo cleared away : thnt two-thirds
of tho army oflicials can and should
be dismissed, nnd thnt at lenst one
half of our enormous expenditure can
be saved to tho people.
It is true here, however, as it is of the
individual, that those vlio arc reared
in proflitrncv will never voluntarily
practice oeonomy.nnd thoso who have
conducted tho trovernment in the
midst of lavish expenditure cannot, if
they would, practice frugality. Indeed
it has passed into an axiom that thoso
who created such expenses in govern
mental affair, can never reduce tnem
to their standard of economy.
Instead of rcdticiiiff onr expenses,
Con. increases them : instead of
practicing economy, reckless cxpendi
lure of the public money i tho rulo.
When, bv mishap, the honest busi
ncss mun is plungod into debt, ho
promptly goo to work to increase his
resources. If ho be a merchant, he
fives nnrcmittinrr attention to the
collection and scouring of his out
standing debts, to tho profitable sale
of his stock, to tho careful hushnnding
of every dollar of his a-sests. If lie is
a farmer, ho gives his farm tho closest
rnrr tho oil is htrencthencil, the
fences repaired.and every acre is made
to yield its largest crop. If ho is a
mechanic, "c'aiV morn and dewy eve"
find liitn cnniest and active Ht the
bench, tho loom, or tho anvil, and
thrift, and frucnlity mark every stei
ho takes. Their reason tfachos them
thutin this way alone can they hope
to bo relieved from tho incubus of
debt, nnd they bend every energy to
its accomplishment.
If this is tho conduct of sensible nnd
nmr tildn men in their own affairs why
should they not require the same line
of action in tho n Hairs of a govern
ment in which they .havo so deep a
stake? Whon wo employ an agent,
wo measure his conduct of our busi
ness by our judgmont as to onr per
sonal interests ; and, as CongroM is
our agent, we should bold it to the
pursuit of a course that our judgment
of our own affair would approve. Aro
they laboring to inc.reaso our resour
ce and develop tho properly of the
peoplo, and thus to restore our credit
and j.ny our debts f Let ns examine
their conduct. Under tho direction
of intelligent beings, labor and pro
duction aro tho true sources of nation
al wealth. Fetter labor and embar
rass prudiiclion, and to the extent
you do o yon retard prugroM an in
jure tho whole mass of the people. It
has bocn well said by n rcoctit writer
that "tho anion of capital nnd lulor
will bo most effectual whon ouch is
sure of ils just reward. If the rights
of man as a holder of properly ore
sacred and his rights as laborer equally
so, the greatest inotivo to prouucuoii
can be secured ; if otherwise, tho crea
tine, nfirpuith will be restricted. Men
w,ll not worn or '' ,-; I
Cfthr ,l.,,iP ''f ..nofl
... t .. I ,.ca. I U at i rr-
IrBtlistMoo s.-iuiii i.
tho fitircst provinces of tbe hcpnblic.
Thero, tbo laws onnetcd by Congress
. lhn nwvrros of dCVflop-
ri'HLru ... n'v .
1 m-nt )vor t hat enure region
- , . . ...,.,,( ...lain
I esits uncertainty id Unurccl csUto,
are. -- tm .,Y-'ie f-" wen
Tl
)
uncertainty of tho ritrht of tho labor
er to reap whero ho has sowed, a gov
ernment of arbitrary power and not
ol law, olheers vested with tho right
to interfere between capital and labor,
and between tho laborer and his em
ployer, nnd from thesocauses tho vital
spirit of industry is puralyzod. Tho
grcut mind of Wobstor never produc
ed a moro important thought than his
declaration, that "it is change and ap
prehension of chango that unnorves
every working man's arm in this sec
tion of country. Changes felt and
chnuges fearod tiro tho buno of indus
try and enterprise."
The immediate influenco of insta
bility nnd uncertainty in tho action of
tho controlling power, is to prevent
men from engaging in any new under
taking, to crush out their self-reliance,
and to cause thorn to become reslless,
improvident nnd poor. Tho nation
needs in tho South an intelligent, ( If
rclianl and industrious people, boldly
striking for their personal interests.
Wo can have it if wo will, but when
tho government forbids men to calcu
late on tho resnlts of their enterprise,
when its action is unstable and uncer
tain, it io utterly futile to expect them
to be possessed of tho moral energies
rcqusite to ensure success in life. It
is not 60 important what tho action is,
as that it should bo clearly defined
nnd permanent in its nature. Our
people rapidly adapt themselves to
the circumstances that surround them,
and when they have permanent se
curity against arbitrary interference
with their business pursuits, they will
adopt tho means to triumph over every
obstacle Our institutions, administer
ed as they should be, are calculated to
foster sell rclianco, and to develop in
dustry and intelligence, but they must
ho so administered that "change ana
apprehension of chango" shall not for
ever exist, and the minds of the men
of our own race shall bo possessed of
an abiding sense of security, in porson,'
in estate and in property. When wc
have provided these, man s own inter
est may lie safely trusted to bring
forth tho laigest return possihlo fur
tho investment, and thus to add to the
wealth of tho producer and the coun
try, but his cupidity ulono must be
trusted ; every tttteinpt al tho regula
tion ol such suhiects itv law, serve
but o mar tho work of the individual.
His personal interests is tho best lever
to uso in tho improvement of the ma
terial condition of man.
In tho South therois nonppcal to the
personal cupidity ol tho farmer or the
planter. 1 hey ee in every nci oi
those who govern a deliberate effort
to clcviilo the negro at their expense;
insecure in theirpropcrty and dubious
of their personal safety, every incen
tive to progress in material wealth is
taken from them. They plant and
cultivalo enough to sustain life, and
will seek no moro. Nowhere on the
globo is there -such a lirfld for tho pro
duction of great quitntiles ot staple
commodities, calculated to increase
natioual wcnllh, as is found in the
South, and if they were totally ungov
ernod, savo by tlio great laws of civil
iced human society, and the principles
that flow from mutual intercourse, and
the desire for gain, their productions
would doublo in two year ami qtind
rnnlo in five. The debt can only be
u ,!. ,.r ihn niii-nliiM earnitiL's of
the prosi-erous; if all are prosperous, substitutes that for which we aro ulfi
its payment is assured and tho burthen mutely bound. Thero is no wrong in
b't'oms trifling. Under the present Ihis.but thero is a great public henent.
policy, woof the North not ouly pay No bolder of national securilies can
our own share of nil public expendi- object to tho receipt of legal-tenders
tures, interest and debt, but nlso pay for his bond, unless it specially pro
tho just share of the South, and wc i vides for other funds for payment,
begin to feel the strain upon our ro- Tho "greenbacks 'nutc in exterior were
sources. A housohonld of thirty mil-1 a part of the finance system hen he
lions encumbered by debt, cannot be made bis contract, ami no g.no ins
supported by twenty millions without money recognizing his bubility to
the pressure of the load being felt. The accept them in payment; but it irj
renewal of our own prosjwriiy largely Rt.f a part of hi. contract that they
depends upon the re-Cblablishmeut ol should, in effect, be made irrodeema
Southern industry upon a basis just ! bio and tpecio payments mudo nnpos
to all classes, and the reopening of, sibleor th,i,, by tho issue of avast
.i.... . ..,-bnt c.r-nnr ninniifMO- addition to thoso already out. lbo
lures and surplus crops. Our personal
interest nnd the just demands of our
creditors require that every aero of
,.,. nt tin-in lii mnda to vield lis
.mt. ii.nt. all the industrial
lUU."V it' -
pursuits of the peoplo be fosP'i-ed and
encouraged, that tho peaceful arts,
commerce, manufactures, agriculture
and mining, Iso nourished and invig
ornted: that every man in every see-
lion of tho IJcpul.l'io be relieved from
arbitrary rulo and permit ton to use,
I,;. ,.,,irollr-d eiu nrics. in adding
to his own wealth, for, in so doing, he j
i,l, U t.i hia ability to pay taxes, nnd ;
bis production is a pnrt of the nation
al wealth and assists in maintaining
the government nnd in paying tho in
terests on the debt,
Tho debt is itsell n national calami
ty. "No peoplo overcharged with Iri
buto is fit for empire," Jt oppresses
man nnd impedes production. Jt c logs
tho fountain of national prosperity,
and paralyzes the energies ol tbe peo
plo. How to get rid ol it at an early
day, in a manner consistent with in
tional honor, is tho great problem of
the hour; but in attempting lo solve
it wo aro to remember that as person
al inlegrily is more vahiublo to man
thnn personal gain, 0 is lbo public
faith, credit nd honor moro valuable
to tho Kcpublie than a treasury filled
at their expense
Pay it in legal tender nv on, e, s
TZZ Z Z & V
lM XT:
3
repudiate her indebtedness, nnd no
rt vP ha"t seek, to perpetuate its lite
iU uA,.lr. I r r..riiilllAtn 11 1IIC .
ZITTuZ 7lod ii -mount
i ,4,. whui.Uoi v aro to unv the
psporor not, evil equally lollow. J lie
liirivtv. f
immediate liloct of such an cuoimous
n'. . l . . it-. -V
isstio of paper money would bo to ren
der dearer everything upon which life
is pu.ituinod. Tho salaries of the em
ployees of tho government would bo
correspondingly increased, and tho
nation would enter upon a caroer of
speculation far exceeding anything we
havo ever seen. Tho standard of val
uo would bo us shifting as the winds,
antl would rise nn full as suddenly. No
man could manage his property se
curely. No merchant could depend
upon nny sure profits. Tho farmer
could not, calculate upon a fixed price,
for prices of commodities would fluc
tuate and cLaimi- ait with the tide.
Every business interest would bo un
settled. Tbe speculator would thrive
and the laboring man sudor, for w ages
move upward morj( slow ly than any
thing else. As gold and staple arti
cles become cnehuneed, the tendency
to f'x two prices upon the nrtii lo to
be sold increases, ami eventually re
sults in establishing a specie and pa
per price. When this point is reachod,
utter depreciation of the paper money
rapidly follows, and practical repudia
tion ensues. We have had cnouirh of
uncertain trade, of unsettled values, of i
profligacy, of lavish expenditure of tho
people's mono)-, of speculation, of vice
and corruption in high places. In tho
production of all these, a redundant
currency has been a potent agent.
Tho approach to sjiocio paj-monts, and
a just standard of values, seems hard
enough now ; how much more difficult
will it bo when this enormous inflation
shall have occurred.
Hut, it is said, pay tho debt in legal
tenders as it matures, and thus avoid
the vast volumo of currency conse
quent upon payment of tho whole.
Thero aro redeemable now nnd in
Ihiw, at tho option of the Trcsory,
over ft thousand millions of 5-Uhs and
7 3 10 notes. Will we lift tho whole?
if not, how much f If two hundred
millions are to bo paid in legal-tenders,
who shall be required to give up
his boml nnd take tho notes, nnd who
permitted to retain the bonds? As
rnpldly as wo havo the means realized
from our assets, it is proper to cxer
eiso our option nnd pnv tho first who
comes, according to tho spirit of his
contract, l-ut let us avoid further
inflation, and a system of financecring
Unit is ut least open to tho suspicion
of being founded in bad morals.
Tho bonds deposited by tho national
banks occupy a different position from
any others.' Thoso banks are ths
creatures of Congress. They accept
ed their charters and deposited the
bonds under an express agreement
that Congress might niter, amend, or
repcnl tho law creating them. These
securities ore already in tho custody
of tho Treasury ; the government is
in effect bound to redeem the notes
theysecuro; they oro redeemable in
legal-lenders, nnd tho holder cannot
demand gold ; in taking thrm bo as
sents to this contract. Tho banks
cannot complain ; individuals are unin
jured, and Ihe people savo twenty
millions annually by substituting lo-gal-lenders
for Iho national bank
notes. The volumo of currency is not
increased, mid tho public faith ia not
broken, lbo national banks promise
to pay in government promises; the
holder accept that agroement. Con
gress interposes in pursuance ol the
express contract with the banks, and
act of 17th July, Lsil, authorized the
tender notes and 7 :i-M notes, fifty
millions of bonds payable m lSSl.and
! fifty millions ol 1
gnl tenders, were
i , - t al ' 1 '1
.issued under this law. I
plh l ehruary l-.onl ..
i bonds, and directed tl
Iho i.et ot
lori.od ihr
,o issue of
ono hundred ana nny minions oi
i a.ai-. - f
"greenbacks."
Tho acts of lllh July, 17ih
January-, ISO.!, and 3d .March, ISli.'l,
; L-ave luriuor auiiioruy to issuu ,cgai
,1.1 .i 1 1
tei.Jers, md under them more than
four 1,1 ., di ed millions Were issued.
' . . , .i .
1 hose laws aiea.ii.r o,-.nuHie.omc,
acts authorizing w ar loans in tho form
of bonds, except those already relor
red to.
Tho truo solution of the much dis
eased financial problem, "How shall
the debt be paid t" does not bo in an
enormous inflation of the currency or
in nny other of tho patent measures,
of whic h so many are now in voguo.
but is to bo found in the practical
recognition and patient application
of iho curso originally pronounced on
man : "In the sweat ol thy luce shall
thou eat bread "
The common senso principles, the
old fashioned doctrines thai aro in
daily usa in the business lite of a prac
tical, honest, und earnest man of the
world, who seeks to obtain wealth,
aro those that aro best fitted for onr
- - - - - ;
1 MM. UoT pro,.,,,-
, Aidual! and t,rou h these end
w ill fitid i ho fir met basis lor the na
.. nsafo road to national
wealth, and tire certain payment
debt, iieduco tlio ex
nao. of the government, ,.nt an end
i lo cxtrnva
itucc of nil kind lucrum,
economize lis means, tax tho govern
ment loan us you tax. olher property,
IfiP
replace the nationals with lega l-tend- threo at the rale of twenty per cent,
era, romovo the curse of neirroi sm, I and upwards, oil free of tax: is it not
uncertainty and instability that nowj apparent that thero is a wrong in this
oppresses tho Honth ; lot white brain system 7 These aro omo of the re
am! black muscle acting for their I suits of violating the rulo that every
individual gain, givo us hack our great
Southern staples, develop all of our
immenso rosources,and cause the hum
of industry to porvado the land, and
thus ro-establish tho credit of tho Jie
publio. With your affairs placed upon
such a busis, your legal-tenders will
rapidly approach par, and then it does
not matter whether you pay your
bonds in gold or paper, and thus that
problem,. now so difficult, you havo
solved. Our bonds and notes, utwm
which we now pay from fivo to seven
and throe-tenths per cent, interest, are
redeemable, except about one-tenth ol
the wholo, during the next seven ,
years. Vt hen our credit is thus re-es-
tahlished, it will be an easy task to
place new loans at lower rates of in
terest, nt short dates, with which we
may cxereiso our option, nnd get rid
of all intern t over four per cent. As
wc grow wealthier the amount of in
terest hacmnes less onerons, taxation
decreases and within this generation
the burden of the debt will bo unf'elt
Kulightennd men enterinlo govern
ments in order that they may, as a
mass, enjoy thoso rights and privile
ges to which each feels he, as a mom
bcr of society, is entitled. They cre
ate written constitutions to define and
limit tho powers of the government,
their creature. They do not form
them fo render man unhappy and
oppress him, but to "so lightly rule"
that man unmolested may perform
his duty to bis follow man, and that
they, in mutual inteieonrse, may find
their common gain.
When the whole people feel instinct
ively that something is wrong in the
operation of such a government, each
one should investigate the cause; dis
cover tho evil and apply tho remedy.
Ho wej not nil feel Hint something is
wrong in administering onr affairs?
.Business depression, commercial fail
ures, nnd "hard times," demonstrate
to tit that onr material interests arc
suffering, and our monetary mutters
on the vergo ol a crisis. Taxation
presses severely upon the people, and
as r.ow arranged, by far the larger
portion of it fall upon thoso who are
poor, whilst tho rich aro exempt. -
Participation in tho benefits of gov
ernment carries with it the corre
sponding duty of adding to its support
To pay our taxes is a plain duty ; to
pay oty ur iurt ot taxes, and to
know Uor and when wc pay them, tiro
uipiuliy plain and corresponding rights.
Fundamental principles upon the sub
ject of taxation arc, that each should
pay according to his ability ; that the
tax bo certain and notnrbitr.iry; that
tho timo nnd manner of payment, and
tho quantity to be paid, should be
clear and plain to him who pays, and
all others. In tho violation of these
principles wc may Cud the secret ol'
much of our present difficulty.
It is a sound rule that ee-try onr
uliovld viV tiiris accordimj to hit ohdi-
til, but it is violated in practice to the
extent of one-fifth of the property of
tho country. The untaxed govern
ment bonds constitute about that pro
portion of tho w holo, and other inter
ests bear its just sharo of taxation.
Jt does not aid itt paying bounty, in
providing courts ami juries, in sus
taining common schools, in paving
and lighting streets, in making roads,
nor iti tho protection of tho lives and
property of the people. Such a sys
tern is grossly unjust, hut if we regard
it in its economic bearings alone, wc
find it to bo injurious in ils effects.
Investment in tlicso bonds sr.d in the
slocks of national banks secured there
by, absorbs the capital necessary for
the prosperous growth of the material
ini..r.wis of iho counli'V. I'eforo this
.lni ni Kivnniioa existed, the wealihv
sought employment for their capital
in partnerships, in productive enter- tlio minds ol caeu cquaiij tiisunci
prises, in mortgages upon real estate moral faculties. These traits of char
about to be improved, and in loans to 1 actcr aro indelibly Mami-ed upon
energetic nnd industrious business I tbeni, and mark the people in their
men, and thus lent a helping hand to social lives and establish and deter
tho material interests of the peoplo. ! mino their future destiny. One race
Tuvnth.n could ha imposed on all , nosscsso nil of our owo charactcris-
these, and capital boro its share thero -
of. Now. the business man must
I compete with Iho government, as well
in ils rnto of interest, ni in exemption
from taxation, for in liorrowing mon
ey to conduct his business ho pays the
highest ruto of interest given by the
T t..niiev nnd n.iva the tuxes on the
- ' ' . .
! money so borrowed, it is not strange
I that legitimate business interest Ian-
.... n ,.-i.n .... b. u,i himicn to
hit,., ...... ......
i-ioso un men opuiauu.to snu i vr.t
their surplus funds in these f.ivorod fashioned in the semblance ol our
seeutitie. and thus the working cap- selves lo nid us in tho upward strug
itul of Ihe country becomes s- aice'gle? From which of those races are
nnd dour. The manufacturer, who wo moro likely to recoivo valuaolo as
hy industry and economy bad arisen nistanee ? no needs a fostering arm,
from poverty, and amassed enough to' tutilago and instruction; tho other
build bis factory and start bis nu-1 needs but nn open path and an appeal
chiiiory.is uot prospering. His goods j to ils own interest. hilst it is our
aro untold, bis operatives discharged, 'clear duly to aid in Iho elevation ol
and bis biiilJiiigs untenanted, i iix js
upon his property, taxes upon bis
sales, taxes upon the raw material,
and taxes upon tbo manufactured
article, hcarcity of customers, low pri-
ces. and tho payment of more than
hit) hharo of tlic publio Mi rum, woin
lie cannot afford to bor
row money, for it is better to bo idle
than lo be busy at a loss, and bis net
, fiu lwi ju,lif ,,, ,..,,,,. of
th. in tore. t demanded. His w ork men
j hes deprive
- ployed, struggle on in hope of bright-
' cr days, tbo c.pilaiiMs ,kh kot enor
.
Tl.
- , yuvii num.. f- ." i"
dividends on tho first ol ovemuer, vain ot .it..... rip1 . . " , " i,,!, d educate himself and his child
five have paid at tho rate of ten per our own race is more n vanced pn-, to f'" of hu
at th. rati ,.f
.nw.r.1. and
..tii iu.r f.uiinin : ju'Ven
twelve per ccnU aud upwards, and
B.L1CAN.
onr should pay taxes according to his
ability.
Let us eo if all pay invuMnceordinr)
to their ability. Congress1, in lHWt,
taxed tho peoplo through customs and
internal revemto ubotit fivo hundred
millions of dollurs. At lenst four hun
dred millions of these aro paid by the
consumers of tho country in tha prices
at which they buy the ortielos they
consume. Property is the only just
basis for taxation ; this enormous tax
is not fastened upon property, but is
assessed and collected from the pco-
pie, by imposing it upon the articles
tney musi navo in support mo -so
mai mo niDonng man, wun a imnny
of six, must pay ns much of it ns tho
man worth hundred ol thousands,
who has a family of the sanio sine.
The tax laid in 'this way is not a
certain tax, nor do wo know fe ttwe
and indnnrr of if payment, nor houi
much we pay, for the system is so ar
ranged that wo pay it without real
izing tho fact.1 When wogolotbe
store to buy a pound of rice, or sugar,
or fofl'eo,'or toa, we snpiiose that tho
monoy we pay is the value of the ar
ticlo bought, butiu reality, more thnn
one-half wo thus pay is tax nnd prof
it upon tax. Duty on the commodi
ty paid i" gold, to which" premium is
to be added, licenses, stamps, tax on
sales, tax on transportations, profit
and interest to Importer, jobber and
retailer, are all charged to the articles
and paid by thoso who buy them.
All that wceat.drinkaud weararc sub
ject to thesamesystem of taxation, and
this mode of collection; and by it Con
gress compels the peoplo to py in one
year for their necessities, mainly, four
hundred millions of dollar more than
the cost of production. A modernto
amount. of taxation can moro easily
bo paid in this way than in ar.y other,
but this is excessive and unjustly dis
tributed. It sweeps away from the
peoplo all of their surplus earnings,
and necessarily impoverishes and har
asses them, liigh prices for tho ar
ticles consumed by tho laborer, taxes
nnd no customers for the mnnufactur.
crs and producers, and untaxed bonds
and largo dividonds for tho wealthy
few, nrcsome of the salient bouutice
of tho present financial sybtem.
Tho question of our material pros
perity is closely connec ted with the
subject of the future of the black man.
Man, himself, is the central figure
around which all the efforts of govern
ment should movo. In his improve
ment, in bis intellectual and material
advancement is found ono of tho great
avenues to national wealth, for thnt
intelligence and those means will be
dovoted to aims and purposes, primary
for himself, but ultimately for the gen
eral good. In making the individual
member of the State intelligent, indus
trious, and provident, wo find a sure
road to national greatness, for it is
the man who makes tho government,
und not tho government the man.
Tho condition of a society coiuiHed
of men fixes and determines tho char
actcr of their institutions. To remedy
the evils that oppress a peoplo and lo
improve their material condition, we
should apjMJiil to man himself, operate
through his passions and prejudices;
bring to bear his mental characteris
tic and habits of thought, and seek
to awaken a sense of individual ro
sponsibility, and to imposo tho duty I
ot individual action, iwo races oi
men inhabit lbo South ; thoir mental
development, their leading character
istics, and their passions nnd preju-
' dices aro ns nnliko ns are the colors
1
of their skins. They cunio into cxis
tence with distinguishing features iia
nrspil unnii their tihvhic.il natures.
' and tho samo laws that
i .i... - i . il,.. tl..,.. ...il.-.i.l
thrm physically, have impressed upon
upon
! ttes ; it sprang from tho samo origin
wascasl in the same mould, nnd large
ly aided in shaping our institutions ;
the other is recognized ns our inferior
il mental force, intellectual devel
opment and material condition vastly
behind our o vn. Under the directing
band ot an overruling lrovidence,
., . . r ... ...... l .....
too .nm.c.,- . ... m. . .
deucy and of power of will, snap an;
eoiiliulthodesliiiiesol nations. Shall
i.n iit . , lhn, wlit.h
. .......... - -
j Humanity nnu u oou. .a. ... ,
; material progress, it is neither t.od s ,
i law nor msn's wisdom to compel bun
j who is elevate i ti remain stationary,
whilo ho who is below it raised to the
! higher standard ; but rather is it our j
; in v """""
1 and w ith Christian charily aid those
below us to climb the ascending grade, j tnonwcath.men of wcallh.of oharacur.
'it is not our duly to halt midway to ; and energy, have alreudy migratod
cnublo Ihe African to reach us. As , South in search of new homeland many
i practical met. acting through existing , more are pieparing for the saoie inove
latU we should aid each in moving , ment. Th insatiable precd for wealth
' upward from the stand-point ho be- that possesses our people, and their in-.
' foro occupied, so that he ho wus be-! domiuihlo energy in lis pursuit willngt
fore civilued may now become en- bo hindi rod by the blue k man, nor by
1 1; d,l..ncd. whilo be who bolero wits ; laws framed to .dovato him at tho ex-
, 1
- barbarous may now -
' 7Za?ZZ
! r' i v.V.-,,.. .rwt
aition, more gifted in inleliect, and al-
! ivadv ihssschI of our own national
ready possessed
intiiiiioiH, how nih-Mrd ia the pf ltry
that S"' ! K' l ihd tie ih bate! and fool,
and place t'lem under Hie conlyl of
those! so vnl'y tin ir Inferiors ? Na
ture teach -.i us Low iiioiitrotis is such
a policy. O.ir ciy instiwis revolt,
al the recognilion of their Miperiority.
They are tho inferior wo tho u
perior; and our personal, and pocuni.
ttry intorcsu can ht be advuncod by
praclicul application of Iho fact, for
"never was there a jar or a discord
between geiiiiiuo sentiment and sound
policy. Never.no never.did nitturesay
ono thing and w isdom say another." ;
Whtitevor may have been the opin
ions tf many of tho people, as to the
mannerof treeing slaves, thero ran be
no doubt that a vast majority of thorn
rejoice that the nation is free from
the reproach of shivery, and look for
ward to u bright future for the (South,
in the interest, and under tbe control
of cur own race. If, whon the rebel
lion was overthrown, the penalties
therefor had promptly fullon, and the
shattered social organism of the South
been permitted to ndjtist itself npon
the principles consistent with it own
preservation and future growth, pro
serving lor the negro the protection of
tho luws, liberty, property and educa
tion, their labor systoin would havo
been by this time cstablisbod, prosper
ity would have reappeared, and both
races havo been fulfilling thoir mis
sion, infinitely more happy and con
tented than vorrr" " -- -
.. Then, there existed mutual sympa
thy, regard and comprehension ; now,
thero exists two separate castes, daily
lieooming moro and moro identified as
separate races, with separato inter
est, )dens,nnii organization. Mutnai
ignorareo and alienation bctwoea the
two classes grow np, nnd all of the
personal ties' and pleasant relations
that existed nfun freedom, between
slave and master, are being severed.
This is a reproach to us as a people
it is a threatening danger to our in
stitutions, and is prejudicial in it In
fluence npon tho moral and physical
well-being of both races.
The danger is a present one; it
confront us now. The natural re
sults of tho action of Congress is al
ready demonstrated, and one race is
ready to spring at tho throat ot th
other. Tho question is now one for
ourselves. Aro wo ready to place in
tho hands of tbe black race the bal
anco of power? Shall wo cause tho
white brain nnd musclo to be oon
U oiled by negro ignorance and inso
lence ? Aro wo ready to abandon onr
share in that great heritage, th
South? With our people there can
bo no middle class; tho prido of tho
race revolts obsorbtion. Hithef tho
whito man or tho African must rule;
we or they must wield the jwliucal
power. Wherever they havo been
strongest, their jealousy has accom
plished the destruction of the whites,
nnd whero they are weakost, they
recognize, their position as our inferi
ors. Givo them the ruling power,
and colored jealousy and white prido
will produce never-ending conflict,
and entail the permanont maintenance
of military rule, with all of ils dan
gerous results aud enormous cost to
ourselves. Such a result can never
be; it is not the destiny of this peo
ple to yield lo any other race Ihe mas
tery of ils fairest possesions to tho
exclusion of themselves. As in child
hood, man receives tho habits, prejudi
ces, and passions that rule bis life,
so the nation, in its early years, re
ceives its habits, prejudices and pas
sions, all of which go to form tho na
tional character ; aud both an men and
nation, wo havo acquired clearly de
fined habits, prejudices and opinions.
A spirit of enterprise nnd a devotion
to their por-fonul interest have ulways
marked our people, and tlice have
borne the f ruit ol intellectual nnd ma
terial progress.- : . ; .. -r
Tho story of our nation ia a romance
of progress ; the history of the- Ho
publio, the holiday of man's elevation.
Our belief in our ow n destiny, and
our energy in removing every obsta
cle in the path to individual und na
tional prosperity, are not mors clearly
marked than aro our prejudices and
instincts in favor of our own race.
Tho Indian was brushed aside because
he blood in tlio way of our march of
improvement, and tho Mexican aud
the Spaniard iu Texas and California
have given way before Uio forward
movement of the American. Wavorjr
was in the road, and rightfully or
i u-rmielnllv lL liUH lionn roniovcd : an'd
now iho nesro bar the way, and
neither rickety constitutions nor un
friendly laws, anarchy or armies, will
prevent the inevitable event thst
awaits him n subordinnlo place, antl
the recognition of the 1'ael that our
race is superior, bis inferior. As jt
now is be is an impediment to our
material advancement, nnd soonor
or Inter ho must yield place to the
stronger intellect, tho moro deter
mined will of the whito man. That
tins may come peaceably, and in tho
almost itnpercepiiblo march of event,
should bo iho effort of tho statesmkO,
aud tho prayer of every friend of hu-
inanity.
That the South would retrogado
under their dominion, scarce iicctl
..proof: their own
land and history,
.
ilayti aud Jamaica, are ample proofs ;
Unit it is no purl of our national char
acter to allow immenso resourcos Hai
der our control to lie uudovelopod, is
equally clear, and that tho surplus
popululiou ot tlio North, a purl of
which is now bowing it broad path
lo ihe 1 'in itio, w ill lasten uhiii that
vast field lor skilled labor, tor indus
trial enterprise, tor mining und man
ul'.irturing, uow lyiugdurmanl J occu
py, possets and enjoy it, sido by side
with our own race, now there soems
to'iny mind too clear for argument.
The eveutsof tiic present hour demon
strate the truth of this position, for,
from every enmity in our own Coiu-
Afi ,a Wt.it.V
- - "V ,.vo and ir
1 to him the protection of th. law. for
if his life, liberty and property, enabled
j ren, fccurely enj .y the fruits c
(Un.Mcd e fyurth )