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diff --git a/15394-h/15394-h.htm b/15394-h/15394-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..17250b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/15394-h/15394-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8760 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + American Eloquence, Volume 4. + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's American Eloquence, Volume IV. (of 4), by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: American Eloquence, Volume IV. (of 4) + Studies In American Political History (1897) + +Author: Various + +Release Date: March 17, 2005 [EBook #15394] +Last Updated: November 15, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AMERICAN ELOQUENCE, IV. *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <h1> + AMERICAN ELOQUENCE + </h1> + <h2> + STUDIES IN AMERICAN POLITICAL HISTORY + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Edited with Introduction by Alexander Johnston + </h3> + <h3> + Reedited by James Albert Woodburn + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Volume IV. (of 4) + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + VII.—CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION + </h3> + <h3> + VIII.—FREE TRADE AND PROTECTION. + </h3> + <h3> + IX.—FINANCE AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img alt="cover (76K)" src="images/cover.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkimage-0001" id="linkimage-0001"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/lincoln.jpg" alt="Frontispiece " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0002" id="linkimage-0002"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/titlepage4.jpg" alt="Titlepage " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + CONTENTS + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION TO THE FOURTH VOLUME. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <big><b>VII.—CIVIL WAR AND + RECONSTRUCTION.</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> ABRAHAM LINCOLN, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> JEFFERSON DAVIS, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> ALEXANDER HAMILTON STEPHENS, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> JOHN C. BRECKENRIDGE, and EDWARD D. BAKER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> CLEMENT L. VALLANDIGHAM, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> HENRY WARD BEECHER, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> ABRAHAM LINCOLN. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> ABRAHAM LINCOLN. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> HENRY WINTER DAVIS, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> GEORGE H. PENDLETON, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> THADDEUS STEVENS, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> HENRY J. RAYMOND, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> THADDEUS STEVENS, </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> <big><b>VIII.—FREE TRADE AND PROTECTION.</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> HENRY CLAY, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> FRANK H. HURD, </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> <big><b>IX.—FINANCE AND CIVIL SERVICE + REFORM.</b></big> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> JUSTIN S. MORRILL, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> JAMES G. BLAINE, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> JOHN SHERMAN, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> JOHN P. JONES, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> CARL SCHURZ, </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + List of Illustrations + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0001"> Frontispiece </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0002"> Titlepage </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0003"> Abraham Lincoln </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0004"> John C. Breckenridge </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0005"> Henry Ward Beecher </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0006"> James G. Blaine </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#linkimage-0007"> George Curtis </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + PORTRAITS + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + GEORGE W. CURTIS From a painting by SAMUEL LAWRENCE. <br /> <br /> JOHN C. + BRECKENRIDGE From a photograph. <br /> <br /> HENRY W. BEECHER + Wood-engraving from photograph. <br /> <br /> ABRAHAM LINCOLN + Wood-engraving from photograph. <br /> <br /> JAMES G. BLAINE + Wood-engraving from photograph. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION TO THE FOURTH VOLUME. + </h2> + <p> + The fourth and last volume of the American Eloquent e deals with four + great subjects of discussion in our history,—the Civil War and + Reconstruction, Free Trade and Protection, Finance, and Civil Service + Reform. In the division on the Civil War there has been substituted in the + new edition, for Mr. Schurz's speech on the Democratic War Policy the + spirited discussion between Breckenridge and Baker on the suppression of + insurrection. The scene in which these two speeches were delivered in the + United States Senate at the opening of the Civil war is full of historic + and dramatic interest, while the speeches themselves are examples of + superior oratory. Mr. Schurz appears to advantage in another part of the + volume in his address on Civil Service Reform. + </p> + <p> + The speeches of Thaddeus Stevens and Henry J. Raymond, delivered at the + opening of the Reconstruction struggle under President Johnson, are also + new material in this edition. They are fairly representative of two + distinct views in that period of the controversy. These two speeches are + substituted for the Garfield-Blackburn discussion over a "rider" to an + appropriation bill designed to forbid federal control of elections within + the States. This discussion was only incidental to the problem of + reconstruction, and may be said to have occurred at a time (1879) + subsequent to the close of the Reconstruction period proper. + </p> + <p> + The material on Free Trade and Protection has been left unchanged for the + reason that it appears to the present editor quite useless to attempt to + secure better material on the tariff discussion. There might be added + valuable similar material from later speeches on the tariff, but the two + speeches of Clay and Hurd may be said to contain the essential merits of + the long-standing tariff debate. + </p> + <p> + The section of the volume devoted to Finance and Civil Service Reform is + entirely new. The two speeches of Curtis and Schurz are deemed sufficient + to set forth the merits of the movement for the reform of the Civil + Service. The magnitude of our financial controversies during a century of + our history precludes the possibility of securing an adequate + representation of them in speeches which might come within the scope of + such a volume as this. It has, therefore, seemed best to the editor to + confine the selections on Finance to the period since the Civil War, and + to the subject of coinage, rather than to attempt to include also the + kindred subjects of banking and paper currency. The four representative + speeches on the coinage will, however, bring into view the various + principles of finance which have determined the differences and divisions + in party opinion on all phases of this great subject. + </p> + <p> + J. A. W. <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII.—CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION. + </h2> + <p> + THE transformation of the original secession movement into a <i>de facto</i> + nationality made war inevitable, but acts of war had already taken place, + with or without State authority. Seizures of forts, arsenals, mints, + custom-houses, and navy yards, and captures of Federal troops, had + completely extinguished the authority of the United States in the + secession area, except at Fort Sumter in South Carolina, and Fort Pickens + and the forts at Key West in Florida; and active operations to reduce + these had been begun. When an attempt was made, late in January, 1861, to + provision Fort Sumter, the provision steamer, Star of the West, was fired + on by the South Carolina batteries and driven back. Nevertheless, the + Buchanan administration succeeded in keeping the peace until its + constitutional expiration in March, 1861, although the rival and + irreconcilable administration at Montgomery was busily engaged in securing + its exclusive authority in the seceding States. + </p> + <p> + Neither of the two incompatible administrations was anxious to strike the + first blow. Mr. Lincoln's administration began with the policy outlined in + his inaugural address, that of insisting on collection of the duties on + imports, and avoiding all other irritating measures. Mr. Seward, Secretary + of State, even talked of compensating for the loss of the seceding States + by admissions from Canada and elsewhere. The urgent needs of Fort Sumter, + however, soon forced an attempt to provision it; and this brought on a + general attack upon it by the Confederate batteries around it. After a + bombardment of two days, and a vigorous defence by the fort, in which no + one was killed on either side, the fort surrendered, April 14, 1861. It + was now impossible for the United States to ignore the Confederate States + any longer. President Lincoln issued a call for volunteers, and a + proclamation announcing a blockade of the coast of the seceding States. A + similar call on the other side and the issue of letters of marque and + reprisal against the commerce of the United States were followed by an act + of the Confederate Congress formally recognizing the existence of war with + the United States. The two powers were thus locked in a struggle for life + or death, the Confederate States fighting for existence and recognition, + the United States for the maintenance of recognized boundaries and + jurisdiction; the Confederate States claiming to be at war with a foreign + power, the United States to be engaged in the suppression of individual + resistance to the laws. The event was to decide between the opposing + claims; and it was certain that the event must be the absolute extinction + of either the Confederate States or the United States within the area of + secession. + </p> + <p> + President Lincoln called Congress together in special session, July 4, + 1861; and Congress at once undertook to limit the scope of the war in + regard to two most important points, slavery and State rights. Resolutions + passed both Houses, by overwhelming majorities, that slavery in the + seceding States was not to be interfered with, that the autonomy of the + States themselves was to be strictly maintained, and that, when the Union + was made secure, the war ought to cease. If the war had ended in that + month, these resolutions would have been of some value; every month of the + extension of the war made them of less value. They were repeatedly offered + afterward from the Democratic side, but were as regularly laid on the + table. Their theory, however, continued to control the Democratic policy + to the end of the war. + </p> + <p> + For a time the original policy was to all appearance unaltered. The war + was against individuals only; and peace was to be made with individuals + only, the States remaining untouched, but the Confederate States being + blotted out in the process. The only requisite to recognition of a + seceding State was to be the discovery of enough loyal or pardoned + citizens to set its machinery going again. Thus the delegates from the + forty western counties of Virginia were recognized as competent to give + the assent of Virginia to the erection of the new State of West Virginia; + and the Senators and Representatives of the new State actually sat in + judgment on the reconstruction of the parent State, although the legality + of the parent government was the evident measure of the constitutional + existence of the new State. Such inconsistencies were the natural results + of the changes forced upon the Federal policy by the events of the war, as + it grew wider and more desperate. + </p> + <p> + The first of these changes was the inevitable attack upon slavery. The + labor system of the seceding States was a mark so tempting that no + belligerent should have been seriously expected to have refrained from + aiming at it. January 1, 1863, after one hundred days' notice, President + Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves within + the enemy's lines as rapidly as the Federal arms should advance. This one + break in the original policy involved, as possible consequences, all the + ultimate steps of reconstruction. Read-mission was no longer to be a + simple restoration; abolition of slavery was to be a condition-precedent + which the government could never abandon. If the President could impose + such a condition, who was to put bounds to the power of Congress to impose + limitations on its part? The President had practically declared, contrary + to the original policy, that the war should continue until slavery was + abolished; what was to hinder Congress from declaring that the war should + continue until, in its judgment, the last remnants of the Confederate + States were satisfactorily blotted out? This, in effect, was the basis of + reconstruction, as finally carried out. The steady opposition of the + Democrats only made the final terms the harder. + </p> + <p> + The principle urged consistently from the beginning of the war by Thaddeus + Stevens, of Pennsylvania, was that serious resistance to the Constitution + implied the suspension of the Constitution in the area of resistance. No + one, he insisted, could truthfully assert that the Constitution of the + United States was then in force in South Carolina; why should Congress be + bound by the Constitution in matters connected with South Carolina? If the + resistance should be successful, the suspension of the Constitution would + evidently be perpetual; Congress alone could decide when the resistance + had so far ceased that the operations of the Constitution could be + resumed. The terms of readmission were thus to be laid down by Congress. + To much the same effect was the different theory of Charles Sumner, of + Massachusetts. While he held that the seceding States could not remove + themselves from the national jurisdiction, except by successful war, he + maintained that no Territory was obliged to become a State, and that no + State was obliged to remain a State; that the seceding States had + repudiated their State-hood, had committed suicide as States, and had + become Territories; and that the powers of Congress to impose conditions + on their readmission were as absolute as in the case of other Territories. + Neither of these theories was finally followed out in reconstruction, but + both had a strong influence on the final process. + </p> + <p> + President Lincoln followed the plan subsequently completed by Johnson. The + original (Pierpont) government of Virginia was recognized and supported. + Similar governments were established in Tennessee, Louisiana, and + Arkansas, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to do so in Florida. The + amnesty proclamation of December, 1863, offered to recognize any State + government in the seceding States formed by one tenth of the former voters + who should take the oath of loyalty and support of the emancipation + measures. At the following session of Congress, the first bill providing + for congressional supervision of the readmission of the seceding States + was passed, but the President retained it without signing it until + Congress had adjourned. At the time of President Lincoln's assassination + Congress was not in session, and President Johnson had six months in which + to complete the work. Provisional governors were appointed, conventions + were called, the State constitutions were amended by the abolition of + slavery and the repudiation of the war debt, and the ordinances of + secession were either voided or repealed. When Congress met in December, + 1865, the work had been completed, the new State governments were in + operation, and the XIIIth Amendment, abolishing slavery, had been ratified + by aid of their votes. Congress, however, still refused to admit their + Senators or Representatives. The first action of many of the new + governments had been to pass labor, contract, stay, and vagrant laws which + looked much like a re-establishment of slavery, and the majority in + Congress felt that further guarantees for the security of the freedmen + were necessary before the war could be truly said to be over. + </p> + <p> + Early in 1866 President Johnson imprudently carried matters into an open + quarrel with Congress, which united the two thirds Republican majority in + both Houses against him. The elections of the autumn of 1866 showed that + the two thirds majorities were to be continued through the next Congress; + and in March, 1867, the first Reconstruction Act was passed over the veto. + It declared the existing governments in the seceding States to be + provisional only; put the States under military governors until State + conventions, elected with negro suffrage and excluding the classes named + in the proposed XIVth Amendment, should form a State government + satisfactory to Congress, and the State government should ratify the XIVth + Amendment; and made this rule of suffrage imperative in all elections + under the provisional governments until they should be readmitted. This + was a semi-voluntary reconstruction. In the same month the new Congress, + which met immediately on the adjournment of its predecessor, passed a + supplementary act. It directed the military governors to call the + conventions before September 1st following, and thus enforced an + involuntary reconstruction. + </p> + <p> + Tennessee had been readmitted in 1866. North Carolina, South Carolina, + Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas were reconstructed under the + acts, and were readmitted in 1868. Georgia was also readmitted, but was + remanded again for expelling negro members of her Legislature, and came in + under the secondary terms. Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas, + which had refused or broken the first terms, were admitted in 1870, on the + additional terms of ratifying the XVth Amendment, which forbade the + exclusion of the negroes from the elective franchise. + </p> + <p> + In Georgia the white voters held control of their State from the + beginning. In the other seceding States the government passed, at various + times and by various methods during the next six years after 1871, under + control of the whites, who still retain control. One of the avowed objects + of reconstruction has thus failed; but, to one who does not presume that + all things will be accomplished at a single leap, the scheme, in spite of + its manifest blunders and crudities, must seem to have had a remarkable + success. Whatever the political status of the negro may now be in the + seceding States, it may be confidently affirmed that it is far better than + it would have been in the same time under an unrestricted readmission. The + whites, all whose energies have been strained to secure control of their + States, have been glad, in return for this success to yield a measure of + other civil rights to the freedmen, which is already fuller than ought to + have been hoped for in 1867. And, as the general elective franchise is + firmly imbedded in the organic law, its ultimate concession will come more + easily and gently than if it were then an entirely new step. + </p> + <p> + During this long period of almost continuous exertion of national power + there were many subsidiary measures, such as the laws authorizing the + appointment of supervisors for congressional elections, and the use of + Federal troops as a <i>posse comitatus</i> by Federal supervisors, which + were not at all in line with the earlier theory of the division between + Federal and State powers. The Democratic party gradually abandoned its + opposition to reconstruction, accepting it as a disagreeable but + accomplished fact, but kept up and increased its opposition to the + subsidiary measures. About 1876-7 a reaction became evident, and with + President Hayes' withdrawal of troops from South Carolina, Federal control + of affairs in the Southern States came to an end. + </p> + <p> + Foreign affairs are not strictly a part of our subject; but, as going to + show one of the dangerous features of the Civil War, the possibility of + the success of the secession sentiment in England in obtaining the + intervention of that country, the speech of Mr. Beecher in Liver-pool, + with the addenda of his audience, has been given. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0003" id="linkimage-0003"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/lincoln.jpg" alt="Abraham Lincoln " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, + </h2> + <h3> + OF ILLINOIS. (BORN 1809, DIED 1865.) + </h3> + <p> + FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS, MARCH 4, 1861. FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE UNITED + STATES: + </p> + <p> + In compliance with a custom as old as the government itself, I appear + before you to address you briefly, and to take in your presence the oath + prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the + President "before he enters on the execution of his office." + </p> + <p> + I do not consider it necessary at present for me to discuss those matters + of administration about which there is no special anxiety or excitement. + </p> + <p> + Apprehension seems to exist, among the people of the Southern States, that + by the accession of a Republican administration their property and their + peace and personal security are to be endangered. There never has been any + reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to + the contrary has all the while existed and been open to their inspection. + It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses + you. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that "I have + no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of + slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to + do so, and I have no inclination to do so." Those who nominated and + elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many + similar declarations, and had never recanted them. And more than this, + they placed in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves + and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read: + </p> + <p> + "Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and + especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic + institutions according to its judgment exclusively, is essential to the + balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political + fabric depend, and we denounce the lawless invasion by armed force of the + soil of any State or Territory, no matter under what pretext, as among the + gravest of crimes." + </p> + <p> + I now reiterate these sentiments; and, in doing so, I only press upon the + public attention the most conclusive evidence of which the case is + susceptible, that the property, peace, and security of no section are to + be in any wise endangered by the now incoming administration. I add, too, + that all the protection which, consistently with the Constitution and the + laws, can be given, will be cheerfully given to all the States, when + lawfully demanded, for whatever cause, as cheerfully to one section as to + another. + </p> + <p> + There is much controversy about the delivering up of fugitives from + service or labor. The clause I now read is as plainly written in the + Constitution as any other of its provisions: + </p> + <p> + "No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, + escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation + therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered + up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due." + </p> + <p> + It is scarcely questioned that this provision was intended by those who + made it for the re-claiming of what we call fugitive slaves; and the + intention of the lawgiver is the law. All members of Congress swear their + support to the whole Constitution—to this provision as much as any + other. To the proposition, then, that slaves whose cases come within the + terms of this clause, "shall be delivered up," their oaths are unanimous. + Now, if they would make the effort in good temper, could they not, with + nearly equal unanimity, frame and pass a law by means of which to keep + good that unanimous oath? + </p> + <p> + There is some difference of opinion whether this clause should be enforced + by National or by State authority; but surely that difference is not a + very material one. If the slave is to be surrendered, it can be of but + little consequence to him, or to others, by what authority it is done. And + should any one, in any case, be content that his oath should go unkept, on + a mere unsubstantial controversy as to how it shall be kept? + </p> + <p> + Again, in any law upon this subject, ought not all the safeguards of + liberty known in civilized and humane jurisprudence to be introduced, so + that a free man be not, in any case, surrendered as a slave? And might it + not be well, at the same time, to provide by law for the enforcement of + that clause of the Constitution which guarantees that "the citizens of + each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens + in the several States"? + </p> + <p> + I take the official oath to-day with no mental reservation, and with no + purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypercritical rules. + And while I do not choose now to specify particular acts of Congress as + proper to be enforced, I do suggest that it will be much safer for all, + both in official and private stations, to conform to and abide by all + those acts which stand unrepealed, than to violate any of them, trusting + to find impunity in having them held to be unconstitutional. + </p> + <p> + It is seventy-two years since the first inauguration of a President under + our National Constitution. During that period, fifteen different and + greatly distinguished citizens have, in succession, administered the + Executive branch of the government. They have conducted it through many + perils, and generally with great success. Yet, with all this scope for + precedent, I now enter upon the same task for the brief constitutional + term of four years, under great and peculiar difficulty. A disruption of + the Federal Union, heretofore only menaced, is now formidably attempted. + </p> + <p> + I hold that in contemplation of universal law, and of the Constitution, + the Union of these States is perpetual. Perpetuity is implied, if not + expressed, in the fundamental law of all national governments. It is safe + to assert that no government proper ever had a provision in its organic + law for its own termination. Continue to execute all the express + provisions of our National Government, and the Union will endure forever—it + being impossible to destroy it, except by some action not provided for in + the instrument itself. + </p> + <p> + Again, if the United States be not a government proper, but an association + of States in the nature of contract merely, can it, as a contract, be + peaceably unmade by less than all the parties who made it? One party to a + contract may violate it—break it, so to speak; but does it not + require all to lawfully rescind it? + </p> + <p> + Descending from these general principles, we find the proposition that, in + legal contemplation, the Union is perpetual, confirmed by the history of + the Union itself. The Union is much older than the Constitution. It was + formed, in fact, by the Articles of Association in 1774. + </p> + <p> + It was matured and continued by the Declaration of Independence in 1776. + It was further matured, and the faith of all the then thirteen States + expressly plighted and engaged that it should be perpetual, by the + Articles of Confederation in 1778. And, finally, in 1787, one of the + declared objects for ordaining and establishing the Constitution was "to + form a more perfect union." + </p> + <p> + But if destruction of the Union, by one, or by a part only, of the States, + be lawfully possible, the Union is less perfect than before, the + Constitution having lost the vital element of perpetuity. + </p> + <p> + It follows, from these views, that no State, upon its own mere motion, can + lawfully get out of the Union; that resolves and ordinances to that effect + are legally void; and that acts of violence within any State or States, + against the authority of the United States, are insurrectionary or + revolutionary, according to circumstances. + </p> + <p> + I therefore consider that, in view of the Constitution and the laws, the + Union is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability I shall take care, as + the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me, that the laws of the + Union be faithfully executed in all the States. Doing this I deem to be + only a simple duty on my part; and I shall perform it, so far as + practicable, unless my rightful masters, the American people, shall + withhold the requisite means, or, in some authoritative manner, direct the + contrary. I trust this will not be regarded as a menace, but only as the + declared purpose of the Union that it will constitutionally defend and + maintain itself. In doing this there need be no blood-shed or violence; + and there shall be none, unless it be forced upon the National authority. + The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the + property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties + and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there + will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people + anywhere. Where hostility to the United States, in any interior locality, + shall be so great and universal as to prevent competent resident citizens + from holding the Federal offices, there will be no attempt to force + obnoxious strangers among the people for that object. While the strict + legal right may exist in the government to enforce the exercise of these + offices, the attempt to do so would be so irritating, and so nearly + impracticable withal, that I deem it better to forego, for the time, the + uses of such offices. + </p> + <p> + The mails, unless repelled, will continue to be furnished in all parts of + the Union. So far as possible, the people everywhere shall have that sense + of perfect security which is most favorable to calm thought and + reflection. The course here indicated will be followed, unless current + events and experience shall show a modification or change to be proper, + and in every case and exigency my best discretion will be exercised, + according to circumstances actually existing, and with a view and a hope + of a peaceful solution of the National troubles, and the restoration of + fraternal sympathies and affections. + </p> + <p> + That there are persons in one section or another who seek to destroy the + Union at all events, and are glad of any pretext to do it, I will neither + affirm nor deny; but if there be such, I need address no word to them. To + those, however, who really love the Union, may I not speak? + </p> + <p> + Before entering upon so grave a matter as the destruction of our National + fabric, with all its benefits, its memories, and its hopes, would it not + be wise to ascertain why we do it? Will you hazard so desperate a step + while there is any possibility that any portion of the certain ills you + fly from have no real existence? Will you, while the certain ills you fly + to are greater than all the real ones you fly from,—will you risk + the omission of so fearful a mistake? + </p> + <p> + All profess to be content in the Union, if all constitutional rights can + be maintained. Is it true, then, that any right, plainly written in the + Constitution, has been denied? I think not. Happily the human mind is so + constituted that no party can reach to the audacity of doing this. Think, + if you can, of a single instance in which a plainly written provision of + the Constitution has ever been denied. If, by the mere force of numbers, a + majority should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional + right, it might, in a moral point of view, justify revolution—certainly + would if such right were a vital one. But such is not our case. All the + vital rights of minorities and of individuals are so plainly assured to + them by affirmations and negations, guaranties and prohibitions in the + Constitution, that controversies never arise concerning them. But no + organic law can ever be framed with a provision specifically applicable to + every question which may occur in practical administration. No foresight + can anticipate, nor any document of reasonable length contain, express + provisions for all possible questions. Shall fugitives from labor be + surrendered by National or State authority? The Constitution does not + expressly say. May Congress prohibit slavery in the Territories? The + Constitution does not expressly say. Must Congress protect slavery in the + Territories? The Constitution does not expressly say. + </p> + <p> + From questions of this class spring all our constitutional controversies, + and we divide upon them into majorities and minorities. If the minority + will not acquiesce, the majority must, or the government must cease. There + is no other alternative; for continuing the government is acquiescence on + one side or the other. If a minority in such case will secede rather than + acquiesce, they make a precedent which, in turn, will divide and ruin + them; for a minority of their own will secede from them whenever a + majority refuses to be controlled by such a minority. For instance, why + may not any portion of a new confederacy, a year or two hence, arbitrarily + secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to + secede from it? All who cherish disunion sentiments are now being educated + to the exact temper of doing this. + </p> + <p> + Is there such perfect identity of interests among the States to compose a + new Union, as to produce harmony only, and prevent renewed secession? + </p> + <p> + Plainly, the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy. A + majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and + always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and + sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people. Whoever rejects + it, does, of necessity, fly to anarchy or to despotism. Unanimity is + impossible; the rule of a minority, as a permanent arrangement, is wholly + inadmissible; so that, rejecting the majority principle, anarchy or + despotism, in some form, is all that is left. * * * + </p> + <p> + Physically speaking, we cannot separate. We cannot remove our respective + sections from each other, nor build an impassable wall between them. A + husband and wife may be divorced, and go out of the presence and beyond + the reach of each other; but the different parts of our country cannot do + this. They cannot but remain face to face, and intercourse, either + amicable or hostile, must continue between them. It is impossible, then, + to make that intercourse more advantageous or more satisfactory after + separation than before. Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can + make laws? Can treaties be more faithfully enforced between aliens than + laws can among friends? Suppose you go to war, you cannot fight always, + and when after much loss on both sides and no gain on either you cease + fighting, the identical old questions as to terms of intercourse are again + upon you. + </p> + <p> + This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. + Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government they can + exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary + right to dismember or overthrow it. I cannot be ignorant of the fact that + many worthy and patriotic citizens are desirous of having the National + Constitution amended. * * * I understand a proposed amendment to the + Constitution—which amendment, however, I have not seen—has + passed Congress, to the effect that the Federal Government shall never + interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of + persons held to service. To avoid misconstruction of what I have said, I + depart from my purpose not to speak of particular amendments, so far as to + say that, holding such a provision now to be implied constitutional law, I + have no objections to its being made express and irrevocable.' + </p> + <p> + The Chief Magistrate derives all his authority from the people, and they + have conferred none upon him to fix terms for the separation of the + States. The people themselves can do this also if they choose, but the + Executive, as such, has nothing to do with it. His duty is to administer + the present government as it came to his hands, and to transmit it, + unimpaired by him, to his successor. Why should there not be a patient + confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or + equal hope in the world? In our present differences is either party + without faith of being in the right? If the Almighty Ruler of Nations, + with his eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or yours + of the South, that truth and that justice will surely prevail, by the + judgment of this great tribunal of the American people. By the frame of + the Government under which we live, the same people have wisely given + their public servants but little power for mischief, and have with equal + wisdom provided for the return of that little to their own hands at very + short intervals. While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no + administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously + injure the government in the short space of four years. + </p> + <p> + My countrymen, one and all, think calmly and well upon this whole subject. + Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time. If there be an object to + hurry any of you in hot haste to a step which you would never take + deliberately, that object will be frustrated by taking time; but no good + object can be frustrated by it. Such of you as are now dissatisfied still + have the old Constitution unimpaired, and on the sensitive point, the laws + of your own framing under it; while the new Administration will have no + immediate power, if it would, to change either. If it were admitted that + you who are dissatisfied hold the right side in this dispute there is + still no single good reason for precipitate action. Intelligence, + patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet + forsaken this favored land are still competent to adjust in the best way + all our present difficulty. In your hands, my dissatisfied + fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, are the momentous issues of civil war. + The government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being + yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in Heaven to + destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to + "preserve, protect, and defend" it. + </p> + <p> + I am loth to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be + enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break, our bonds of + affection. The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battle-field + and patriot grave to every living heart and hearth-stone all over this + broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union when again touched, as + surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + JEFFERSON DAVIS, + </h2> + <h3> + OF MISSISSIPPI.' (BORN 1808, DIED 1889.) + </h3> + <p> + INAUGURAL ADDRESS, MONTGOMERY, ALA., FEBRUARY 18, 1861. + </p> + <p> + GENTLEMEN OF THE CONGRESS OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, FRIENDS, + AND FELLOW-CITIZENS: + </p> + <p> + Our present condition, achieved in a manner unprecedented in the history + of nations, illustrates the American idea that governments rest upon the + consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter + and abolish governments whenever they become destructive to the ends for + which they were established. The declared compact of the Union from which + we have withdrawn was to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, + provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure + the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity; and when in the + judgment of the sovereign States now composing this Confederacy it has + been perverted from the purposes for which it was ordained, and ceased to + answer the ends for which it was established, a peaceful appeal to the + ballot-box declared that, so far as they were concerned, the government + created by that compact should cease to exist. In this they merely + asserted the right which the Declaration of Independence of 1776 defined + to be inalienable. Of the time and occasion of this exercise they as + sovereigns were the final judges, each for himself. The impartial, + enlightened verdict of mankind will vindicate the rectitude of our + conduct; and He who knows the hearts of men will judge of the sincerity + with which we labored to preserve the government of our fathers in its + spirit. + </p> + <p> + The right solemnly proclaimed at the birth of the States, and which has + been affirmed and reaffirmed in the bills of rights of the States + subsequently admitted into the Union of 1789, undeniably recognizes in the + people the power to resume the authority delegated for the purposes of + government. Thus the sovereign States here represented proceeded to form + this Confederacy; and it is by the abuse of language that their act has + been denominated revolution. They formed a new alliance, but within each + State its government has remained. The rights of person and property have + not been disturbed. The agent through whom they communicated with foreign + nations is changed, but this does not necessarily interrupt their + international relations. Sustained by the consciousness that the + transition from the former Union to the present Confederacy has not + proceeded from a disregard on our part of our just obligations or any + failure to perform every constitutional duty, moved by no interest or + passion to invade the rights of others, anxious to cultivate peace and + commerce with all nations, if we may not hope to avoid war, we may at + least expect that posterity will acquit us of having needlessly engaged in + it. Doubly justified by the absence of wrong on our part, and by wanton + aggression on the part of others, there can be no use to doubt the courage + and patriotism of the people of the Confederate States will be found equal + to any measure of defence which soon their security may require. + </p> + <p> + An agricultural people, whose chief interest is the export of a commodity + required in every manufacturing country, our true policy is peace and the + freest trade which our necessities will permit. It is alike our interest + and that of all those to whom we would sell and from whom we would buy, + that there should be the fewest practicable restrictions upon the + interchange of commodities. There can be but little rivalry between ours + and any manufacturing or navigating community, such as the northeastern + States of the American Union. It must follow, therefore, that mutual + interest would invite good-will and kind offices. If, however, passion or + lust of dominion should cloud the judgment or inflame the ambition of + those States, we must prepare to meet the emergency, and maintain by the + final arbitrament of the sword the position which we have assumed among + the nations of the earth. + </p> + <p> + We have entered upon a career of independence, and it must be inflexibly + pursued through many years of controversy with our late associates of the + Northern States. We have vainly endeavored to secure tranquillity and + obtain respect for the rights to which we were entitled. As a necessity, + not a choice, we have resorted to the remedy of separation, and henceforth + our energies must be directed to the conduct of our own affairs, and the + perpetuity of the Confederacy which we have formed. If a just perception + of mutual interest shall permit us peaceably to pursue our separate + political career, my most earnest desire will have been fulfilled. But if + this be denied us, and the integrity of our territory and jurisdiction be + assailed, it will but remain for us with firm resolve to appeal to arms + and invoke the blessing of Providence on a just cause. * * * + </p> + <p> + Actuated solely by a desire to preserve our own rights, and to promote our + own welfare, the separation of the Confederate States has been marked by + no aggression upon others, and followed by no domestic convulsion. Our + industrial pursuits have received no check, the cultivation of our fields + progresses as heretofore, and even should we be involved in war, there + would be no considerable diminution in the production of the staples which + have constituted our exports, in which the commercial world has an + interest scarcely less than our own. This common interest of producer and + consumer can only be intercepted by an exterior force which should + obstruct its transmission to foreign markets, a course of conduct which + would be detrimental to manufacturing and commercial interests abroad. + </p> + <p> + Should reason guide the action of the government from which we have + separated, a policy so detrimental to the civilized world, the Northern + States included, could not be dictated by even a stronger desire to + inflict injury upon us; but if it be otherwise, a terrible responsibility + will rest upon it, and the suffering of millions will bear testimony to + the folly and wickedness of our aggressors. In the meantime there will + remain to us, besides the ordinary remedies before suggested, the + well-known resources for retaliation upon the commerce of an enemy. * * * + We have changed the constituent parts but not the system of our + government. The Constitution formed by our fathers is that of these + Confederate States. In their exposition of it, and in the judicial + construction it has received, we have a light which reveals its true + meaning. Thus instructed as to the just interpretation of that instrument, + and ever remembering that all offices are but trusts held for the people, + and that delegated powers are to be strictly construed, I will hope by due + diligence in the performance of my duties, though I may disappoint your + expectation, yet to retain, when retiring, something of the good-will and + confidence which will welcome my entrance into office. + </p> + <p> + It is joyous in the midst of perilous times to look around upon a people + united in heart, when one purpose of high resolve animates and actuates + the whole, where the sacrifices to be made are not weighed in the balance, + against honor, right, liberty, and equality. Obstacles may retard, but + they cannot long prevent, the progress of a movement sanctioned by its + justice and sustained by a virtuous people. Reverently let us invoke the + God of our fathers to guide and protect us in our efforts to perpetuate + the principles which by His blessing they were able to vindicate, + establish, and transmit to their posterity; and with a continuance of His + favor, ever gratefully acknowledged, we may hopefully look forward to + success, to peace, to prosperity. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ALEXANDER HAMILTON STEPHENS, + </h2> + <h3> + OF GEORGIA. (BORN 1812, DIED 1884.) + </h3> + <p> + THE "CORNER-STONE" ADDRESS; ATHENAEUM, SAVANNAH, GA., MARCH 21, 1861 MR. + MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN: + </p> + <p> + We are in the midst of one of the greatest epochs in our history. The last + ninety days will mark one of the most interesting eras in the history of + modern civilization. Seven States have in the last three months thrown off + an old government and formed a new. This revolution has been signally + marked, up to this time, by the fact of its having been accomplished + without the loss of a single drop of blood. This new constitution, or form + of government, constitutes the subject to which your attention will be + partly invited. + </p> + <p> + In reference to it, I make this first general remark: it amply secures all + our ancient rights, franchises, and liberties. All the great principles of + Magna Charta are retained in it. No citizen is deprived of life, liberty, + or property, but by the judgment of his peers under the laws of the land. + The great principle of religious liberty, which was the honor and pride of + the old Constitution, is still maintained and secured. All the essentials + of the old Constitution, which have endeared it to the hearts of the + American people, have been preserved and perpetuated. Some changes have + been made. Some of these I should prefer not to have seen made; but other + important changes do meet my cordial approbation. They form great + improvements upon the old Constitution. So, taking the whole new + constitution, I have no hesitancy in giving it as my judgment that it is + decidedly better than the old. + </p> + <p> + Allow me briefly to allude to some of these improvements. The question of + building up class interests, or fostering one branch of industry to the + prejudice of another under the exercise of the revenue power, which gave + us so much trouble under the old Constitution, is put at rest forever + under the new. We allow the imposition of no duty with a view of giving + advantage to one class of persons, in any trade or business, over those of + another. All, under our system, stand upon the same broad principles of + perfect equality. Honest labor and enterprise are left free and + unrestricted in whatever pursuit they may be engaged. This old thorn of + the tariff, which was the cause of so much irritation in the old body + politic, is removed forever from the new. + </p> + <p> + Again, the subject of internal improvements, under the power of Congress + to regulate commerce, is put at rest under our system. The power, claimed + by construction under the old Constitution, was at least a doubtful one; + it rested solely upon construction. We of the South, generally apart from + considerations of constitutional principles, opposed its exercise upon + grounds of its inexpediency and injustice. * * * Our opposition sprang + from no hostility to commerce, or to all necessary aids for facilitating + it. With us it was simply a question upon whom the burden should fall. In + Georgia, for instance, we have done as much for the cause of internal + improvements as any other portion of the country, according to population + and means. We have stretched out lines of railroad from the seaboard to + the mountains; dug down the hills, and filled up the valleys, at a cost of + $25,000,000. * * * No State was in greater need of such facilities than + Georgia, but we did not ask that these works should be made by + appropriations out of the common treasury. The cost of the grading, the + superstructure, and the equipment of our roads was borne by those who had + entered into the enterprise. Nay, more, not only the cost of the iron—no + small item in the general cost—was borne in the same way, but we + were compelled to pay into the common treasury several millions of dollars + for the privilege of importing the iron, after the price was paid for it + abroad. What justice was there in taking this money, which our people paid + into the common treasury on the importation of our iron, and applying it + to the improvement of rivers and harbors elsewhere? The true principle is + to subject the commerce of every locality to whatever burdens may be + necessary to facilitate it. If Charleston harbor needs improvement, let + the commerce of Charleston bear the burden. * * * This, again, is the + broad principle of perfect equality and justice; and it is especially set + forth and established in our new constitution. + </p> + <p> + Another feature to which I will allude is that the new constitution + provides that cabinet ministers and heads of departments may have the + privilege of seats upon the floor of the Senate and House of + Representatives, may have the right to participate in the debates and + discussions upon the various subjects of administration. I should have + preferred that this provision should have gone further, and required the + President to select his constitutional advisers from the Senate and House + of Representatives. That would have conformed entirely to the practice in + the British Parliament, which, in my judgment, is one of the wisest + provisions in the British constitution. It is the only feature that saves + that government. It is that which gives it stability in its facility to + change its administration. Ours, as it is, is a great approximation to the + right principle. * * * + </p> + <p> + Another change in the Constitution relates to the length of the tenure of + the Presidential office. In the new constitution it is six years instead + of four, and the President is rendered ineligible for a re-election. This + is certainly a decidedly conservative change. It will remove from the + incumbent all temptation to use his office or exert the powers confided to + him for any objects of personal ambition. The only incentive to that + higher ambition which should move and actuate one holding such high trusts + in his hands will be the good of the people, the advancement, happiness, + safety, honor, and true glory of the Confederacy. + </p> + <p> + But, not to be tedious in enumerating the numerous changes for the better, + allow me to allude to one other—though last, not least. The new + constitution has put at rest forever all the agitating questions relating + to our peculiar institution, African slavery as it exists amongst us, the + proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the + immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution. Jefferson, in + his forecast, had anticipated this as the "rock upon which the old Union + would split." He was right. What was conjecture with him is now a realized + fact. But whether he fully comprehended the great truth upon which that + rock stood and stands may be doubted. The prevailing ideas entertained by + him and most of the leading statesmen at the time of the formation of the + old Constitution were that the enslavement of the African was in violation + of the laws of nature; that it was wrong in principle, socially, morally, + and politically. It was an evil they knew not well how to deal with; but + the general opinion of the men of that day was that, somehow or other, in + the order of Providence, the institution would be evanescent and pass + away. This idea, though not incorporated in the Constitution, was the + prevailing idea at that time. The Constitution, it is true, secured every + essential guarantee to the institution while it should last, and hence no + argument can be justly urged against the constitutional guaranties thus + secured, because of the common sentiment of the day. Those ideas, however, + were fundamentally wrong. They rested upon the assumption of the equality + of races. This was an error. It was a sandy foundation, and the government + built upon it fell when "the storm came and the wind blew." + </p> + <p> + Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its + foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that + the negro is not equal to the white man, that slavery—subordination + to the superior race—is his natural and normal condition. + </p> + <p> + This, our new government, is the first in the history of the world based + upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth. This truth has + been slow in the process of its development, like all other truths in the + various departments of science. It has been so even amongst us. Many who + hear me, perhaps, can recollect well that this truth was not generally + admitted, even within their day. The errors of the past generation still + clung to many as late as twenty years ago. Those at the North who still + cling to these errors, with a zeal above knowledge, we justly denominate + fanatics. All fanaticism springs from an aberration of the mind, from a + defect in reasoning. It is a species of insanity. One of the most striking + characteristics of insanity, in many instances, is forming correct + conclusions from fancied or erroneous premises. So with the antislavery + fanatics; their conclusions are right, if their premises were. They assume + that the negro is equal, and hence conclude that he is entitled to equal + rights and privileges with the white man. If their premises were correct, + their conclusions would be logical and just; but, their premise being + wrong, their whole argument fails. I recollect once hearing a gentleman + from one of the Northern States, of great power and ability, announce in + the House of Representatives, with imposing effect, that we of the South + would be compelled ultimately to yield upon this subject of slavery, that + it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics + as it was in physics or mechanics; that the principle would ultimately + prevail; that we, in maintaining slavery as it exists with us, were + warring against a principle, founded in nature, the principle of the + equality of men. The reply I made to him was that upon his own grounds we + should ultimately succeed, and that he and his associates in this crusade + against our institutions would ultimately fail. The truth announced, that + it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics + as it was in physics and mechanics, I admitted; but told him that it was + he, and those acting with him, who were warring against a principle. They + were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal. + </p> + <p> + In the conflict, thus far, success has been on our side, complete + throughout the length and breadth of the Confederate States. It is upon + this, as I have stated, our social fabric is firmly planted; and I cannot + permit myself to doubt the ultimate success of a full recognition of this + principle throughout the civilized and enlightened world. + </p> + <p> + As I have stated, the truth of this principle may be slow in development, + as all truths are and ever have been, in the various branches of science. + It was so with the principles announced by Galileo. It was so with Adam + Smith and his principles of political economy. It was so with Harvey and + his theory of the circulation of the blood; it is stated that not a single + one of the medical profession, living at the time of the announcement of + the truths made by him, admitted them. Now they are universally + acknowledged. May we not, therefore, look with confidence to the ultimate + universal acknowledgment of the truths upon which our system rests? It is + the first government ever instituted upon the principles in strict + conformity to nature and the ordination of Providence in furnishing the + materials of human society. Many governments have been founded upon the + principle of the subordination and serfdom of certain classes of the same + race; such were and are in violation of the laws of nature. Our system + commits no such violation of nature's laws. With us, all the white race, + however high or low, rich or poor, are equal in the eye of the law. Not so + with the negro; subordination is his place. He, by nature or by the curse + against Canaan, is fitted for that condition which he occupies in our + system. The architect, in the construction of buildings, lays the + foundation with the proper material—the granite; then comes the + brick or the marble. The substratum of our society is made of the material + fitted by nature for it; and by experience we know that it is best not + only for the superior race, but for the inferior race, that it should be + so. It is, indeed, in conformity with the ordinance of the Creator. It is + not for us to inquire into the wisdom of His ordinances, or to question + them. For His own purposes He has made one race to differ from another, as + He has made "one star to differ from another star in glory." The great + objects of humanity are best attained when there is conformity to His laws + and decrees, in the formation of governments as well as in all things + else. Our Confederacy is founded upon principles in strict conformity with + these views. This stone, which was rejected by the first builders, "is + become the chief of the corner," the real "corner-stone" in our new + edifice. * * * + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jefferson said in his inaugural, in 1801, after the heated contest + preceding his election, that there might be differences of opinion without + differences of principle, and that all, to some extent, had been + Federalists, and all Republicans. So it may now be said of us that, + whatever differences of opinion as to the best policy in having a + cooperation with our border sister slave States, if the worst came to the + worst, as we were all cooperationists, we are all now for independence, + whether they come or not. * * * + </p> + <p> + We are a young republic, just entering upon the arena of nations; we will + be the architects of our own fortunes. Our destiny, under Providence, is + in our own hands. With wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship on the part of + our public men, and intelligence, virtue, and patriotism on the part of + the people, success to the full measure of our most sanguine hopes may be + looked for. But, if unwise counsels prevail, if we become divided, if + schisms arise, if dissensions spring up, if factions are engendered, if + party spirit, nourished by unholy personal ambition, shall rear its hydra + head, I have no good to prophesy for you. Without intelligence, virtue, + integrity, and patriotism on the part of the people, no republic or + representative government can be durable or stable. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0004" id="linkimage-0004"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/breckinridge.jpg" alt="John C. Breckenridge " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + JOHN C. BRECKENRIDGE, and EDWARD D. BAKER + </h2> + <p> + JOHN C. BRECKENRIDGE, OF KENTUCKY, (BORN 1825, DIED 1875), EDWARD D. + BAKER, OF OREGON, (BORN 1811, DIED 1861) ON SUPPRESSION OF INSURRECTION, + UNITED STATES SENATE, AUGUST I, 1861. + </p> + <p> + MR. BRECKENRIDGE. I do not know how the Senate may vote upon this + question; and I have heard some remarks which have dropped from certain + Senators which have struck me with so much surprise, that I desire to say + a few words in reply to them now. + </p> + <p> + This drama, sir, is beginning to open before us, and we begin to catch + some idea of its magnitude. Appalled by the extent of it, and embarrassed + by what they see before them and around them, the Senators who are + themselves the most vehement in urging on this course of events, are + beginning to quarrel among themselves as to the precise way in which to + regulate it. + </p> + <p> + The Senator from Vermont objects to this bill because it puts a limitation + on what he considers already existing powers on the part of the President. + I wish to say a few words presently in regard to some provisions of this + bill, and then the Senate and the country may judge of the extent of those + powers of which this bill is a limitation. + </p> + <p> + I endeavored, Mr. President, to demonstrate a short time ago, that the + whole tendency of our proceedings was to trample the Constitution under + our feet, and to conduct this contest without the slightest regard to its + provisions. Everything that has occurred since, demonstrates that the view + I took of the conduct and tendency of public affairs was correct. Already + both Houses of Congress have passed a bill virtually to confiscate all the + property in the States that have withdrawn, declaring in the bill to which + I refer that all property of every description employed in any way to + promote or aid in the insurrection, as it is denominated, shall be + forfeited and confiscated. I need not say to you, sir, that all property + of every kind is employed in those States, directly or indirectly, in aid + of the contest they are waging, and consequently that bill is a general + confiscation of all property there. + </p> + <p> + As if afraid, however, that this general term might not apply to slave + property, it adds an additional section. Although they were covered by the + first section of the bill, to make sure of that, however, it adds another + section, declaring that all persons held to service or labor; who shall be + employed in any way to aid or promote the contest now waging, shall be + discharged from such service and become free: Nothing can be more apparent + than that that is a general act of emancipation; because all the slaves in + that country are employed in furnishing the means of subsistence and life + to those who are prosecuting the contest; and it is an indirect, but + perfectly certain mode of carrying out the purposes contained in the bill + introduced by the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Pomeroy). It is doing under + cover and by indirection, but certainly, what he proposes shall be done by + direct proclamation of the President. + </p> + <p> + Again, sir: to show that all these proceedings are characterized by an + utter disregard of the Federal Constitution, what is happening around us + every day? In the State of New York, some young man has been imprisoned by + executive authority upon no distinct charge, and the military officer + having him in charge refused to obey the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> + issued by a judge. What is the color of excuse for that action in the + State of New York? As a Senator said, is New York in resistance to the + Government? Is there any danger to the stability of the Government there? + Then, sir, what reason will any Senator rise and give on this floor for + the refusal to give to the civil authorities the body of a man taken by a + military commander in the State of New York? + </p> + <p> + Again: the police commissioners of Baltimore were arrested by military + authority without any charges whatever. In vain they have asked for a + specification. In vain they have sent a respectful protest to the Congress + of the United States. In vain the House of Representatives, by resolution, + requested the President to furnish the representatives of the people with + the grounds of their arrest. He answers the House of Representatives that, + in his judgment, the public interest does not permit him to say why they + were arrested, on what charges, or what he has done with them—and + you call this liberty and law and proceedings for the preservation of the + Constitution! They have been spirited off from one fortress to another, + their locality unknown, and the President of the United States refuses, + upon the application of the most numerous branch of the national + Legislature, to furnish them with the grounds of their arrest, or to + inform them what he has done with them. + </p> + <p> + Sir, it was said the other day by the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Browning) + that I had assailed the conduct of the Executive with vehemence, if not + with malignity. I am not aware that I have done so. I criticised, with the + freedom that belongs to the representative of a sovereign State and the + people, the conduct of the Executive. I shall continue to do so as long as + I hold a seat upon this floor, when, in my opinion, that conduct deserves + criticism. Sir, I need not say that, in the midst of such events as + surround us, I could not cherish personal animosity towards any human + being. Towards that distinguished officer, I never did cherish it. Upon + the contrary, I think more highly of him, as a man and an officer, than I + do of many who are around him and who, perhaps guide his counsels. I deem + him to be personally an honest man, and I believe that he is trampling + upon the Constitution of his country every day, with probably good + motives, under the counsels of those who influence him. But, sir, I have + nothing now to say about the President. The proceedings of Congress have + eclipsed the actions of the Executive; and if this bill shall become a + law, the proceedings of the President will sink into absolute nothingness + in the presence of the outrages upon personal and public liberty which + have been perpetrated by the Congress of the United States. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Mr. President, gentlemen talk about the Union as if it was an end instead + of a means. They talk about it as if it was the Union of these States + which alone had brought into life the principles of public and of personal + liberty. Sir, they existed before, and they may survive it. Take care that + in pursuing one idea you you do not destroy not only the Constitution of + your country, but sever what remains of the Federal Union. These eternal + and sacred principles of public men and of personal liberty, which lived + before the Union and will live forever and ever somewhere, must be + respected; they cannot with impunity be overthrown; and if you force the + people to the issue between any form of government and these priceless + principles, that form of government will perish; they will tear it asunder + as the irrepressible forces of nature rend whatever opposes them. + </p> + <p> + Mr. President, I shall not long detain the Senate. I shall not enter now + upon an elaborate discussion of all the principles involved in this bill, + and all the consequences which, in my opinion, flow from it. A word in + regard to what fell from the Senator from Vermont, the substance of which + has been uttered by a great many Senators on this floor. What I tried to + show some time ago has been substantially admitted. One Senator says that + the Constitution is put aside in a struggle like this. Another Senator + says that the condition of affairs is altogether abnormal, and that you + cannot deal with them on constitutional principles, any more than you can + deal, by any of the regular operations of the laws of nature, with an + earthquake. The Senator from Vermont says that all these proceedings are + to be conducted according to the laws of war; and he adds that the laws of + war require many things to be done which are absolutely forbidden in the + Constitution; which Congress is prohibited from doing, and all other + departments of the Government are forbidden from doing by the + Constitution; but that they are proper under the laws of war, which must + alone be the measure of our action now. I desire the country, then, to + know this fact; that it is openly avowed upon this floor that + constitutional limitations are no longer to be regarded; but that you are + acting just as if there were two nations upon this continent, one arrayed + against the other; some eighteen or twenty million on one side, and some + ten or twelve million on the other, as to whom the Constitution is nought, + and the laws of war alone apply. + </p> + <p> + Sir, let the people, already beginning to pause and reflect upon the + origin and nature and the probable consequences of this unhappy strife, + get this idea fairly lodged in their minds—and it is a true one—and + I will venture to say that the brave words which we now hear every day + about crushing, subjugating, treason, and traitors, will not be so uttered + the next time the Representatives of the people and States assemble + beneath the dome of this Capitol. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Mr. President, we are on the wrong tack; we have been from the beginning. + The people begin to see it. Here we have been hurling gallant fellows on + to death, and the blood of Americans has been shed—for what? They + have shown their prowess, respectively—that which belongs to the + race—and shown it like men. But for what have the United States + soldiers, according to the exposition we have heard here to-day, been + shedding their blood, and displaying their dauntless courage? It has been + to carry out principles that three fourths of them abhor; for the + principles contained in this bill, and continually avowed on the floor of + the Senate, are not shared, I venture to say, by one fourth of the army. + </p> + <p> + I have said, sir, that we are on the wrong tack. Nothing but ruin, utter + ruin, to the North, to the South, to the East, to the West, will follow + the prosecution of this contest. You may look forward to countless + treasures all spent for the purpose of desolating and ravaging this + continent; at the end leaving us just where we are now; or if the forces + of the United States are successful in ravaging the whole South, what on + earth will be done with it after that is accomplished? Are not gentlemen + now perfectly satisfied that they have mistaken a people for a faction? + Are they not perfectly satisfied that, to accomplish their object, it is + necessary to subjugate, to conquer—aye, to exterminate—nearly + ten millions of people? Do you not know it? Does not everybody know it? + Does not the world know it? Let us pause, and let the Congress of the + United States respond to the rising feeling all over this land in favor of + peace. War is separation; in the language of an eminent gentleman now no + more, it is disunion, eternal and final disunion. We have separation now; + it is only made worse by war, and an utter extinction of all those + sentiments of common interest and feeling which might lead to a political + reunion founded upon consent and upon a conviction of its advantages. Let + the war go on, however, and soon, in addition to the moans of widows and + orphans all over this land, you will hear the cry of distress from those + who want food and the comforts of life. The people will be unable to pay + the grinding taxes which a fanatical spirit will attempt to impose upon + them. Nay, more, sir; you will see further separation. I hope it is not + "the sunset of life gives me mystical lore," but in my mind's eye I + plainly see "coming events cast their shadows before." The Pacific slope + now, doubtless, is devoted to the union of States. Let this war go on till + they find the burdens of taxation greater than the burdens of a separate + condition, and they will assert it. Let the war go on until they see the + beautiful features of the old Confederacy beaten out of shape and + comeliness by the brutalizing hand of war, and they will turn aside in + disgust from the sickening spectacle, and become a separate nation. Fight + twelve months longer, and the already opening differences that you see + between New England and the great Northwest will develop themselves. You + have two confederacies now. Fight twelve months, and you will have three; + twelve months longer, and you will have four. + </p> + <p> + I will not enlarge upon it, sir. I am quite aware that all I say is + received with a sneer of incredulity by the gentlemen who represent the + far Northeast; but let the future determine who was right and who was + wrong. We are making our record here; I, my humble one, amid the sneers + and aversion of nearly all who surround me, giving my votes, and uttering + my utterances according to my convictions, with but few approving voices, + and surrounded by scowls. The time will soon come, Senators, when history + will put her final seal upon these proceedings, and if my name shall be + recorded there, going along with yours as an actor in these scenes, I am + willing to abide, fearlessly, her final judgment. + </p> + <p> + MR. BAKER. + </p> + <p> + Mr. President, it has not been my fortune to participate in at any length, + indeed, not to hear very much of, the discussion which has been going on—more, + I think, in the hands of the Senator from Kentucky than anybody else—upon + all the propositions connected with this war; and, as I really feel as + sincerely as he can an earnest desire to preserve the Constitution of the + United States for everybody, South as well as North, I have listened for + some little time past to what he has said with an earnest desire to + apprehend the point of his objection to this particular bill. And now—waiving + what I think is the elegant but loose declamation in which he chooses to + indulge—I would propose, with my habitual respect for him, (for + nobody is more courteous and more gentlemanly,) to ask him if he will be + kind enough to tell me what single particular provision there is in this + bill which is in violation of the Constitution of the United States, which + I have sworn to support—one distinct, single proposition in the + bill. + </p> + <p> + MR. BRECKENRIDGE. I will state, in general terms, that every one of them + is, in my opinion, flagrantly so, unless it may be the last. I will send + the Senator the bill, and he may comment on the sections. + </p> + <p> + MR. BAKER. Pick out that one which is in your judgment most clearly so. + </p> + <p> + MR. BRECKENRIDGE. They are all, in my opinion, so equally atrocious that I + dislike to discriminate. I will send the Senator the bill, and I tell him + that every section, except the last, in my opinion, violates the + Constitution of the United States; and of that last section, I express no + opinion. + </p> + <p> + MR. BAKER. I had hoped that that respectful suggestion to the Senator + would enable him to point out to me one, in his judgment, most clearly so, + for they are not all alike—they are not equally atrocious. + </p> + <p> + MR. BRECKENRIDGE. Very nearly. There are ten of them. The Senator can + select which he pleases. + </p> + <p> + MR. BAKER. Let me try then, if I must generalize as the Senator does, to + see if I can get the scope and meaning of this bill. It is a bill + providing that the President of the United States may declare, by + proclamation, in a certain given state of fact, certain territory within + the United States to be in a condition of insurrection and war; which + proclamation shall be extensively published within the district to which + it relates. That is the first proposition. I ask him if that is + unconstitutional? That is a plain question. Is it unconstitutional to give + power to the President to declare a portion of the territory of the United + States in a state of insurrection or rebellion? He will not dare to say it + is. + </p> + <p> + MR. BRECKENRIDGE. Mr. President, the Senator from Oregon is a very adroit + debater, and he discovers, of course, the great advantage he would have if + I were to allow him, occupying the floor, to ask me a series of questions, + and then have his own criticisms made on them. When he has closed his + speech, if I deem it necessary, I will make some reply. At present, + however, I will answer that question. The State of Illinois, I believe, is + a military district; the State of Kentucky is a military district. In my + judgment, the President has no authority, and, in my judgment, Congress + has no right to confer upon the President authority, to declare a State in + a condition of insurrection or rebellion. + </p> + <p> + MR. BAKER. In the first place, the bill does not say a word about States. + That is the first answer. + </p> + <p> + MR. BRECKENRIDGE. Does not the Senator know, in fact, that those States + compose military districts? It might as well have said "States" as to + describe what is a State. + </p> + <p> + MR. BAKER. I do; and that is the reason why I suggest to the honorable + Senator that this criticism about States does not mean anything at all. + That is the very point. The objection certainly ought not to be that he + can declare a part of a State in insurrection and not the whole of it. In + point of fact, the Constitution of the United States, and the Congress of + the United States acting upon it, are not treating of States, but of the + territory comprising the United States; and I submit once more to his + better judgment that it cannot be unconstitutional to allow the President + to declare a county or a part of a county, or a town or a part of a town, + or part of a State, or the whole of a State, or two States, or five + States, in a condition of insurrection, if in his judgment that be the + fact. That is not wrong. + </p> + <p> + In the next place, it provides that that being so, the military commander + in that district may make and publish such police rules and regulations as + he may deem necessary to suppress the rebellion and restore order and + preserve the lives and property of citizens. I submit to him, if the + President of the United States has power, or ought to have power, to + suppress insurrection and rebellion, is there any better way to do it, or + is there any other? The gentleman says, do it by the civil power. Look at + the fact. The civil power is utterly overwhelmed; the courts are closed; + the judges banished. Is the President not to execute the law? Is he to do + it in person, or by his military commanders? Are they to do it with + regulation, or without it? That is the only question. + </p> + <p> + Mr. President, the honorable Senator says there is a state of war. The + Senator from Vermont agrees with him; or rather, he agrees with the + Senator from Vermont in that. What then? There is a state of public war; + none the less war because it is urged from the other side; not the less + war because it is unjust; not the less war because it is a war of + insurrection and rebellion. It is still war; and I am willing to say it is + public war,—public as contra-distinguished from private war. What + then? Shall we carry that war on? Is it his duty as a Senator to carry it + on? If so, how? By armies under command; by military organization and + authority, advancing to suppress insurrection and rebellion. Is that + wrong? Is that unconstitutional? Are we not bound to do, with whomever + levies war against us, as we would do if he were a foreigner? There is no + distinction as to the mode of carrying on war; we carry on war against an + advancing army just the same, whether it be from Russia or from South + Carolina. Will the honorable Senator tell me it is our duty to stay here, + within fifteen miles of the enemy seeking to advance upon us every hour, + and talk about nice questions of constitutional construction as to whether + it is war or merely insurrection? No, sir. It is our duty to advance, if + we can; to suppress insurrection; to put down rebellion; to dissipate the + rising; to scatter the enemy; and when we have done so, to preserve, in + the terms of the bill, the liberty, lives, and property of the people of + the country, by just and fair police regulations. I ask the Senator from + Indiana, (Mr. Lane,) when we took Monterey, did we not do it there? + </p> + <p> + When we took Mexico, did we not do it there? Is it not a part, a + necessary, an indispensable part of war itself, that there shall be + military regulations over the country conquered and held? Is that + unconstitutional? + </p> + <p> + I think it was a mere play of words that the Senator indulged in when he + attempted to answer the Senator from New York. I did not understand the + Senator from New York to mean anything else substantially but this, that + the Constitution deals generally with a state of peace, and that when war + is declared it leaves the condition of public affairs to be determined by + the law of war, in the country where the war exists. It is true that the + Constitution of the United States does adopt the laws of war as a part of + the instrument itself, during the continuance of war. The Constitution + does not provide that spies shall be hung. Is it unconstitutional to hang + a spy? There is no provision for it in terms in the Constitution; but + nobody denies the right, the power, the justice. Why? Because it is part + of the law of war. The Constitution does not provide for the exchange of + prisoners; yet it may be done under the law of war. Indeed the + Constitution does not provide that a prisoner may be taken at all; yet his + captivity is perfectly just and constitutional. It seems to me that the + Senator does not, will not take that view of the subject. + </p> + <p> + Again, sir, when a military commander advances, as I trust, if there are + no more unexpected great reverses, he will advance, through Virginia and + occupies the country, there, perhaps, as here, the civil law may be + silent; there perhaps the civil officers may flee as ours have been + compelled to flee. What then? If the civil law is silent, who shall + control and regulate the conquered district, who but the military + commander? As the Senator from Illinois has well said, shall it be done by + regulation or without regulation? Shall the general, or the colonel, or + the captain, be supreme, or shall he be regulated and ordered by the + President of the United States? That is the sole question. The Senator has + put it well. + </p> + <p> + I agree that we ought to do all we can to limit, to restrain, to fetter + the abuse of military power. Bayonets are at best illogical arguments. I + am not willing, except as a case of sheerest necessity, ever to permit a + military commander to exercise authority over life, liberty, and property. + But, sir, it is part of the law of war; you cannot carry in the rear of + your army your courts; you cannot organize juries; you cannot have trials + according to the forms and ceremonial of the common law amid the clangor + of arms, and somebody must enforce police regulations in a conquered or + occupied district. I ask the Senator from Kentucky again respectfully, is + that unconstitutional; or if in the nature of war it must exist, even if + there be no law passed by us to allow it, is it unconstitutional to + regulate it? That is the question, to which I do not think he will make a + clear and distinct reply. + </p> + <p> + Now, sir, I have shown him two sections of the bill, which I do not think + he will repeat earnestly are unconstitutional. I do not think that he will + seriously deny that it is perfectly constitutional to limit, to regulate, + to control, at the same time to confer and restrain authority in the hands + of military commanders. I think it is wise and judicious to regulate it by + virtue of powers to be placed in the hands of the President by law. + </p> + <p> + Now, a few words, and a few only, as to the Senator's predictions. The + Senator from Kentucky stands up here in a manly way in opposition to what + he sees is the overwhelming sentiment of the Senate, and utters + reproof,malediction, and prediction combined. Well, sir, it is not every + prediction that is prophecy. It is the easiest thing in the world to do; + there is nothing easier, except to be mistaken when we have predicted. I + confess, Mr. President, that I would not have predicted three weeks ago + the disasters which have overtaken our arms; and I do not think (if I were + to predict now) that six months hence the Senator will indulge in the same + tone of prediction which is his favorite key now. I would ask him what + would you have us do now—a confederate army within twenty miles of + us, advancing, or threatening to advance, to overwhelm your Government; to + shake the pillars of the Union; to bring it around your head, if you stay + here, in ruins? Are we to stop and talk about an uprising sentiment in the + North against the war? Are we to predict evil, and retire from what we + predict? Is it not the manly part to go on as we have begun, to raise + money, and levy armies, to organize them, to prepare to advance; when we + do advance, to regulate that advance by all the laws and regulations that + civilization and humanity will allow in time of battle? Can we do anything + more? To talk to us about stopping, is idle; we will never stop. Will the + Senator yield to rebellion? Will he shrink from armed insurrection? Will + his State justify it? Will its better public opinion allow it? Shall we + send a flag of truce? What would he have? Or would he conduct this war so + feebly, that the whole world would smile at us in derision? What would he + have? These speeches of his, sown broadcast over the land, what clear + distinct meaning have they? Are they not intended for disorganization in + our very midst? Are they not intended to dull our weapons? Are they not + intended to destroy our zeal? Are they not intended to animate our + enemies? Sir, are they not words of brilliant, polished treason, even in + the very Capitol of the Confederacy? (Manifestations of applause in the + galleries.) + </p> + <p> + The Presiding Officer (Mr. Anthony in the chair). Order! + </p> + <p> + MR. BAKER. What would have been thought if, in another Capitol, in another + Republic, in a yet more martial age, a senator as grave, not more eloquent + or dignified than the Senator from Kentucky, yet with the Roman purple + flowing over his shoulders, had risen in his place, surrounded by all the + illustrations of Roman glory, and declared that advancing Hannibal was + just, and that Carthage ought to be dealt with in terms of peace? What + would have been thought if, after the battle of Canne, a senator there had + risen in his place and denounced every levy of the Roman people, every + expenditure of its treasure, and every appeal to the old recollections and + the old glories? Sir, a Senator, himself learned far more than myself in + such lore (Mr. Fessenden), tells me, in a voice that I am glad is audible, + that he would have been hurled from the Tarpeian rock. It is a grand + commentary upon the American Constitution that we permit these words to be + uttered. I ask the Senator to recollect, too, what, save to send aid and + comfort to the enemy, do these predictions of his amount to? Every word + thus uttered falls as a note of inspiration upon every confederate ear. + Every sound thus uttered is a word (and falling from his lips, a mighty + word) of kindling and triumph to a foe that determines to advance. For me, + I have no such word as a Senator to utter. For me, amid temporary defeat, + disaster, disgrace, it seems that my duty calls me to utter another word, + and that word is, bold, sudden, forward, determined war, according to the + laws of war, by armies, by military commanders clothed with full power, + advancing with all the past glories of the Republic urging them to + conquest. + </p> + <p> + I do not stop to consider whether it is subjugation or not. It is + compulsory obedience, not to my will; not to yours, sir; not to the will + of any one man; not to the will of any one State; but compulsory obedience + to the Constitution of the whole country. The Senator chose the other day + again and again to animadvert on a single expression in a little speech + which I delivered before the Senate, in which I took occasion to say that + if the people of the rebellious States would not govern themselves as + States, they ought to be governed as Territories. The Senator knew full + well then, for I explained it twice—he knows full well now—that + on this side of the Chamber; nay, in this whole Chamber; nay, in this + whole North and West; nay, in all the loyal States in all their breadth, + there is not a man among us all who dreams of causing any man in the South + to submit to any rule, either as to life, liberty, or property, that we + ourselves do not willingly agree to yield to. Did he ever think of that? + Subjugation for what? When we subjugate South Carolina, what shall we do? + We shall compel its obedience to the Constitution of the United States; + that is all. Why play upon words? We do not mean, we have never said, any + more. If it be slavery that men should obey the Constitution their fathers + fought for, let it be so. If it be freedom, it is freedom equally for them + and for us. We propose to subjugate rebellion into loyalty; we propose to + subjugate insurrection into peace; we propose to subjugate confederate + anarchy into constitutional Union liberty. The Senator well knows that we + propose no more. I ask him, I appeal to his better judgment now, what does + he imagine we intend to do, if fortunately we conquer Tennessee or South + Carolina—call it "conquer," if you will, sir—what do we + propose to do? They will have their courts still; they will have their + ballot-boxes still; they will have their elections still; they will have + their representatives upon this floor still; they will have taxation and + representation still; they will have the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> + still; they will have every privilege they ever had and all we desire. + When the confederate armies are scattered; when their leaders are banished + from power; when the people return to a late repentant sense of the wrong + they have done to a Government they never felt but in benignancy and + blessing, then the Constitution made for all will be felt by all, like the + descending rains from heaven which bless all alike. Is that subjugation? + To restore what was, as it was, for the benefit of the whole country and + of the whole human race, is all we desire and all we can have. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + I tell the Senator that his predictions, sometimes for the South, + sometimes for the Middle States, sometimes for the Northeast, and then + wandering away in airy visions out to the far Pacific, about the dread of + our people, as for loss of blood and treasure, provoking them to + disloyalty, are false in sentiment, false in fact, and false in loyalty. + The Senator from Kentucky is mistaken in them all. Five hundred million + dollars! What then? Great Britain gave more than two thousand million in + the great battle for constitutional liberty which she led at one time + almost single-handed against the world. Five hundred thousand men! What + then? We have them; they are ours; they are the children of the country. + They belong to the whole country; they are our sons; our kinsmen; and + there are many of us who will give them all up before we will abate one + word of our just demand, or will retreat one inch from the line which + divides right from wrong. + </p> + <p> + Sir, it is not a question of men or of money in that sense. All the money, + all the men, are, in our judgment, well bestowed in such a cause. When we + give them, we know their value. Knowing their value well, we give them + with the more pride and the more joy. Sir, how can we retreat? Sir, how + can we make peace? Who shall treat? What commissioners? Who would go? Upon + what terms? Where is to be your boundary line? Where the end of the + principles we shall have to give up? What will become of constitutional + government? What will become of public liberty? What of past glories? What + of future hopes? Shall we sink into the insignificance of the grave—a + degraded, defeated, emasculated people, frightened by the results of one + battle, and scared at the visions raised by the imagination of the Senator + from Kentucky upon this floor? No, sir; a thousand times, no, sir! We will + rally—if, indeed, our words be necessary—we will rally the + people, the loyal people, of the whole country. They will pour forth their + treasure, their money, their men, without stint, without measure. The most + peaceable man in this body may stamp his foot upon this Senate-Chamber + floor, as of old a warrior and a senator did, and from that single stamp + there will spring forth armed legions. Shall one battle determine the fate + of an empire? or, the loss of one thousand men or twenty thousand, or + $100,000,000 or $500,000,000? In a year's peace, in ten years, at most, of + peaceful progress, we can restore them all. There will be some graves + reeking with blood, watered by the tears of affection. There will be some + privation; there will be some loss of luxury; there will be somewhat more + need for labor to procure the necessaries of life. When that is said, all + is said. If we have the country, the whole country, the Union, the + Constitution, free government—with these there will return all the + blessings of well-ordered civilization; the path of the country will be a + career of greatness and of glory such as, in the olden time, our fathers + saw in the dim visions of years yet to come, and such as would have been + ours now, to-day, if it had not been for the treason for which the Senator + too often seeks to apologize. + </p> + <p> + MR. BRECKENRIDGE. Mr. President, I have tried on more than one occasion in + the Senate, in parliamentary and respectful language, to express my + opinions in regard to the character of our Federal system, the relations + of the States to the Federal Government, to the Constitution, the bond of + the Federal political system. They differ utterly from those entertained + by the Senator from Oregon. Evidently, by his line of argument, he regards + this as an original, not a delegated Government, and he regards it as + clothed with all those powers which belong to an original nation, not only + with those powers which are delegated by the different political + communities that compose it, and limited by the written Constitution that + forms the bond of Union. I have tried to show that, in the view that I + take of our Government, this war is an unconstitutional war. I do not + think the Senator from Oregon has answered my argument. He asks, what must + we do? As we progress southward and invade the country, must we not, said + he, carry with us all the laws of war? I would not progress southward and + invade the country. + </p> + <p> + The President of the United States, as I again repeat, in my judgment only + has the power to call out the military to assist the civil authority in + executing the laws; and when the question assumes the magnitude and takes + the form of a great political severance, and nearly half the members of + the Confederacy withdraw themselves from it, what then? I have never held + that one State or a number of States have a right without cause to break + the compact of the Constitution. But what I mean to say is that you cannot + then undertake to make war in the name of the Constitution. In my opinion + they are out. You may conquer them; but do not attempt to do it under what + I consider false political pretenses. However, sir, I will not enlarge + upon that. I have developed these ideas again and again, and I do not care + to re-argue them. Hence the Senator and I start from entirely different + stand-points, and his pretended replies are no replies at all. + </p> + <p> + The Senator asks me, "What would you have us do?" I have already intimated + what I would have us do. I would have us stop the war. We can do it. I + have tried to show that there is none of that inexorable necessity to + continue this war which the Senator seems to suppose. I do not hold that + constitutional liberty on this continent is bound up in this fratricidal, + devastating, horrible contest. Upon the contrary, I fear it will find its + grave in it. The Senator is mistaken in supposing that we can reunite + these States by war. He is mistaken in supposing that eighteen or twenty + million upon the one side can subjugate ten or twelve million upon the + other; or, if they do subjugate them, that you can restore constitutional + government as our fathers made it. You will have to govern them as + Territories, as suggested by the Senator, if ever they are reduced to the + dominion of the United States, or, as the Senator from Vermont called + them, "those rebellious provinces of this Union," in his speech to-day. + Sir, I would prefer to see these States all reunited upon true + constitutional principles to any other object that could be offered me in + life; and to restore, upon the principles of of our fathers, the Union of + these States, to me the sacrifice of one unimportant life would be + nothing; nothing, sir. But I infinitely prefer to see a peaceful + separation of these States, than to see endless, aimless, devastating war, + at the end of which I see the grave of public liberty and of personal + freedom.' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CLEMENT L. VALLANDIGHAM, + </h2> + <h3> + OF OHIO. (BORN 1820, DIED 1871.) + </h3> + <p> + ON THE WAR AND ITS CONDUCT; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JANUARY 14, 1863. + </p> + <p> + SIR, I am one of that number who have opposed abolitionism, or the + political development of the antislavery sentiment of the North and West, + from the beginning. In school, at college, at the bar, in public + assemblies, in the Legislature, in Congress, boy and man, in time of peace + and in time of war, at all times and at every sacrifice, I have fought + against it. It cost me ten years' exclusion from office and honor at that + period of life when honors are sweetest. No matter; I learned early to do + right and to wait. Sir, it is but the development of the spirit of + intermeddling, whose children are strife and murder. Cain troubled himself + about the sacrifices of Abel, and slew his brother. Most of the wars, + contentions, litigation, and bloodshed, from the beginning of time, have + been its fruits. The spirit of non-intervention is the very spirit of + peace and concord. * * * + </p> + <p> + The spirit of intervention assumed the form of abolitionism because + slavery was odious in name and by association to the Northern mind, and + because it was that which most obviously marks the different civilizations + of the two sections. The South herself, in her early and later efforts to + rid herself of it, had exposed the weak and offensive parts of slavery to + the world. Abolition intermeddling taught her at last to search for and + defend the assumed social, economic, and political merit and values of the + institution. But there never was an hour from the beginning when it did + not seem to me as clear as the sun at broad noon that the agitation in any + form in the North and West of the slavery question must sooner or later + end in disunion and civil war. This was the opinion and prediction for + years of Whig and Democratic statesmen alike; and, after the unfortunate + dissolution of the Whig party in 1854, and the organization of the present + Republican party upon the exclusive antislavery and sectional basis, the + event was inevitable, because, in the then existing temper of the public + mind, and after the education through the press and the pulpit, the + lecture and the political canvass, for twenty years, of a generation + taught to hate slavery and the South, the success of that party, possessed + as it was of every engine of political, business, social, and religious + influence, was certain. It was only a question of time, and short time. + Such was its strength, indeed, that I do not believe that the union of the + Democratic party in 1860 on any candidate, even though he had been + supported also by the entire so-called conservative or anti-Lincoln vote + of the country, would have availed to defeat it; and, if it had, the + success of the Abolition party would only have been postponed four years + longer. The disease had fastened too strongly upon the system to be healed + until it had run its course. The doctrine of "the irrepressible conflict" + had been taught too long, and accepted too widely and earnestly, to die + out until it should culminate in secession and disunion, and, if coercion + were resorted to, then in civil war. I believed from the first that it was + the purpose of some of the apostles of that doctrine to force a collision + between the North and the South, either to bring about a separation or to + find a vain but bloody pretext for abolishing slavery in the States. In + any event, I knew, or thought I knew, that the end was certain collision + and death to the Union. + </p> + <p> + Believing thus, I have for years past denounced those who taught that + doctrine, with all the vehemence, the bitterness, if you choose—I + thought it a righteous, a patriotic bitterness—of an earnest and + impassioned nature. * * * But the people did not believe me, nor those + older and wiser and greater than I. They rejected the prophecy, and stoned + the prophets. The candidate of the Republican party was chosen President. + Secession began. Civil war was imminent. It was no petty insurrection, no + temporary combination to obstruct the execution of the laws in certain + States, but a revolution, systematic, deliberate, determined, and with the + consent of a majority of the people of each State which seceded. Causeless + it may have been, wicked it may have been, but there it was—not to + be railed at, still less to be laughed at, but to be dealt with by + statesmen as a fact. No display of vigor or force alone, however sudden or + great, could have arrested it even at the outset. It was disunion at last. + The wolf had come, but civil war had not yet followed. In my deliberate + and solemn judgment there was but one wise and masterly mode of dealing + with it. Non-coercion would avert civil war, and compromise crush out both + abolitionism and secession. The parent and the child would thus both + perish. But a resort to force would at once precipitate war, hasten + secession, extend disunion, and while it lasted utterly cut off all hope + of compromise. I believed that war, if long enough continued, would be + final, eternal disunion. I said it; I meant it; and accordingly, to the + utmost of my ability and influence, I exerted myself in behalf of the + policy of non-coercion. It was adopted by Mr. Buchanan's administration, + with the almost unanimous consent of the Democratic and Constitutional + Union parties in and out of Congress; and in February, with the consent of + a majority of the Republican party in the Senate and the House. But that + party most disastrously for the country refused all compromise. How, + indeed, could they accept any? That which the South demanded, and the + Democratic and Conservative parties of the North and West were willing to + grant, and which alone could avail to keep the peace and save the Union, + implied a surrender of the sole vital element of the party and its + platform, of the very principle, in fact, upon which it had just won the + contest for the Presidency, not, indeed, by a majority of the popular vote—the + majority was nearly a million against it,—but under the forms of the + Constitution. Sir, the crime, the "high crime," of the Republican party + was not so much its refusal to compromise, as its original organization + upon a basis and doctrine wholly inconsistent with the stability of the + Constitution and the peace of the Union. + </p> + <p> + The President-elect was inaugurated; and now, if only the policy of + non-coercion could be maintained, and war thus averted, time would do its + work in the North and the South, and final peaceable adjustment and + reunion be secured. Some time in March it was announced that the President + had resolved to continue the policy of his predecessor, and even go a step + farther, and evacuate Sumter and the other Federal forts and arsenals in + the seceded States. His own party acquiesced; the whole country rejoiced. + The policy of non-coercion had triumphed, and for once, sir, in my life, I + found myself in an immense majority. No man then pretended that a Union + founded in consent could be cemented by force. Nay, more, the President + and the Secretary of State went farther. Said Mr. Seward, in an official + diplomatic letter to Mr. Adams: "For these reasons, he (the President) + would not be disposed to reject a cardinal dogma of theirs (the + secessionists), namely, that the Federal Government could not reduce the + seceding States to obedience by conquest, although he were disposed to + question that proposition. But in fact the President willingly accepts it + as true. Only an imperial or despotic government could subjugate + thoroughly disaffected and insurrectionary members of the State." * * * + This Federal republican system of ours is, of all forms of government, the + very one which is most unfitted for such a labor. This, sir, was on the + 10th of April, and yet on that very day the fleet was under sail for + Charleston. The policy of peace had been abandoned. Collision followed; + the militia were ordered out; civil war began. + </p> + <p> + Now, sir, on the 14th of April, I believed that coercion would bring on + war, and war disunion. More than that, I believed what you all believe in + your hearts to-day, that the South could never be conquered—never. + And not that only, but I was satisfied—and you of the Abolition + party have now proved it to the world—that the secret but real + purpose of the war was to abolish slavery in the State. * * * These were + my convictions on the 14th of April. Had I changed them on the 15th, when + I read the President's proclamation, * * * + </p> + <p> + I would have changed my public conduct also. But my convictions did not + change. I thought that, if war was disunion on the 14th of April, it was + equally disunion on the 15th, and at all times. Believing this, I could + not, as an honest man, a Union man, and a patriot, lend an active support + to the war; and I did not. I had rather my right arm were plucked from its + socket and cast into eternal burnings, than, with my convictions, to have + thus defiled my soul with the guilt of moral perjury. Sir, I was not + taught in that school which proclaims that "all is fair in politics." I + loathe, abhor, and detest the execrable maxim. * * * Perish office, perish + honors, perish life itself; but do the thing that is right, and do it like + a man. + </p> + <p> + Certainly, sir; I could not doubt what he must suffer who dare defy the + opinions and the passions, not to say the madness, of twenty millions of + people. * * * I did not support the war; and to-day I bless God that not + the smell of so much as one drop of its blood is upon my garments. Sir, I + censure no brave man who rushed patriotically into this war; neither will + I quarrel with any one, here or elsewhere, who gave to it an honest + support. Had their convictions been mine, I, too, would doubtless have + done as they did. With my convictions I could not. But I was a + Representative. War existed—by whose act no matter—not by + mine. The President, the Senate, the House, and the country all said that + there should be war. * * * I belonged to that school of politics which + teaches that, when we are at war, the government—I do not mean the + Executive alone, but the government—is entitled to demand and have, + without resistance, such number of men, and such amount of money and + supplies generally, as may be necessary for the war, until an appeal can + be had to the people. Before that tribunal alone, in the first instance, + must the question of the continuance of the war be tried. This was Mr. + Calhoun's opinion * * * in the Mexican war. Speaking of that war in 1847, + he said: "Every Senator knows that I was opposed to the war; but none but + myself knows the depth of that opposition. With my conception of its + character and consequences, it was impossible for me to vote for it. * * * + But, after war was declared, by authority of the government, I acquiesced + in what I could not prevent, and what it was impossible for me to arrest; + and I then felt it to be my duty to limit my efforts to give such + direction to the war as would, as far as possible, prevent the evils and + dangers with which it threatened the country and its institutions." + </p> + <p> + Sir, I adopt all this as my position and my defence, though, perhaps, in a + civil war, I might fairly go farther in opposition. I could not, with my + convictions, vote men and money for this war, and I would not, as a + Representative, vote against them. I meant that, without opposition, the + President might take all the men and all the money he should demand, and + then to hold him to a strict responsibility before the people for the + results. Not believing the soldiers responsible for the war or its + purposes or its consequences, I have never withheld my vote where their + separate interests were concerned. But I have denounced from the beginning + the usurpations and the infractions, one and all, of law and constitution, + by the President and those under him; their repeated and persistent + arbitrary arrests, the suspension of <i>habeas corpus</i>, the violation + of freedom of the mails, of the private house, of the press, and of + speech, and all the other multiplied wrongs and outrages upon public + liberty and private right, which have made this country one of the worst + despotisms on earth for the past twenty months, and I will continue to + rebuke and denounce them to the end; and the people, thank God, have at + last heard and heeded, and rebuked them too. To the record and to time I + appeal again for my justification. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0005" id="linkimage-0005"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/beecher.jpg" alt="Enry Ward Beecher " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HENRY WARD BEECHER, + </h2> + <h3> + OF NEW YORK. (BORN 1813, DIED 1887.) + </h3> + <p> + ADDRESS AT LIVERPOOL, OCTOBER 16, 1863 + </p> + <p> + For more than twenty-five years I have been made perfectly familiar with + popular assemblies in all parts of my country except the extreme South. + There has not for the whole of that time been a single day of my life when + it would have been safe for me to go South of Mason's and Dixon's line in + my own country, and all for one reason: my solemn, earnest, persistent + testimony against that which I consider to be the most atrocious thing + under the sun—the system of American slavery in a great free + republic. [Cheers.] I have passed through that early period when right of + free speech was denied to me. Again and again I have attempted to address + audiences that, for no other crime than that of free speech, visited me + with all manner of contumelious epithets; and now since I have been in + England, although I have met with greater kindness and courtesy on the + part of most than I deserved, yet, on the other hand, I perceive that the + Southern influence prevails to some extent in England. [Applause and + uproar.] It is my old acquaintance; I understand it perfectly—[laughter]—and + I have always held it to be an unfailing truth that where a man had a + cause that would bear examination he was perfectly willing to have it + spoken about. [Applause.] And when in Manchester I saw those huge + placards: "Who is Henry Ward Beecher?"—[laughter, cries of "Quite + right," and applause.]—and when in Liverpool I was told that there + were those blood-red placards, purporting to say what Henry Ward Beecher + had said, and calling upon Englishmen to suppress free speech—I tell + you what I thought. I thought simply this: "I am glad of it." [Laughter.] + Why? Because if they had felt perfectly secure, that you are the minions + of the South and the slaves of slavery, they would have been perfectly + still. [Applause and uproar.] And, therefore, when I saw so much nervous + apprehension that, if I were permitted to speak—[hisses and applause]—when + I found they were afraid to have me speak [hisses, laughter, and "No, no!"]—when + I found that they considered my speaking damaging to their cause—[applause]—when + I found that they appealed from facts and reasonings to mob law—[applause + and uproar]—I said, no man need tell me what the heart and secret + counsel of these men are. They tremble and are afraid. [Applause, + laughter, hisses, "No, no!" and a voice: "New York mob."] Now, personally, + it is a matter of very little consequence to me whether I speak here + to-night or not. [Laughter and cheers.] But, one thing is very certain, if + you do permit me to speak here to-night you will hear very plain talking. + [Applause and hisses.] You will not find a man—[interruption]—you + will not find me to be a man that dared to speak about Great Britain 3,000 + miles off, and then is afraid to speak to Great Britain when he stands on + her shores. [Immense applause and hisses.] And if I do not mistake the + tone and temper of Englishmen, they had rather have a man who opposes them + in a manly way—[applause from all parts of the hall]—than a + sneak that agrees with them in an unmanly way. [Applause and "Bravo!"] + Now, if I can carry you with me by sound convictions, I shall be immensely + glad—[applause]; but if I cannot carry you with me by facts and + sound arguments, I do not wish you to go with me at all; and all that I + ask is simply FAIR PLAY. [Applause, and a voice: "You shall have it too."] + </p> + <p> + Those of you who are kind enough to wish to favor my speaking—and + you will observe that my voice is slightly husky, from having spoken + almost every night in succession for some time past,—those who wish + to hear me will do me the kindness simply to sit still, and to keep still; + and I and my friends the Secessionists will make all the noise. + [Laughter.] + </p> + <p> + There are two dominant races in modern history—the Germanic and the + Romanic races. The Germanic races tend to personal liberty, to a sturdy + individualism, to civil and to political liberty. The Romanic race tends + to absolutism in government; it is clannish; it loves chieftains; it + develops a people that crave strong and showy governments to support and + plan for them. The Anglo-Saxon race belongs to the great German family, + and is a fair exponent of its peculiarities. The Anglo-Saxon carries + self-government and self-development with him wherever he goes. He has + popular GOVERNMENT and popular INDUSTRY; for the effects of a generous + civil liberty are not seen a whit more plain in the good order, in the + intelligence, and in the virtue of a self-governing people, than in their + amazing enterprise and the scope and power of their creative industry. The + power to create riches is just as much a part of the Anglo-Saxon virtues + as the power to create good order and social safety. The things required + for prosperous labor, prosperous manufactures, and prosperous commerce are + three. First, liberty; second, liberty; third, liberty. [Hear, hear!] + Though these are not merely the same liberty, as I shall show you. First, + there must be liberty to follow those laws of business which experience + has developed, without imposts or restrictions or governmental intrusions. + Business simply wants to be let alone. [Hear, hear!] Then, secondly, there + must be liberty to distribute and exchange products of industry in any + market without burdensome tariffs, without imposts, and with-out vexatious + regulations. There must be these two liberties—liberty to create + wealth, as the makers of it think best, according to the light and + experience which business has given them; and then liberty to distribute + what they have created without unnecessary vexatious burdens. + </p> + <p> + The comprehensive law of the ideal industrial condition of the word is + free manufacture and free trade. [Hear, hear! A voice: "The Morrill + tariff." Another voice: "Monroe."] I have said there were three elements + of liberty. The third is the necessity of an intelligent and free race of + customers. There must be freedom among producers; there must be freedom + among the distributors; there must be freedom among the customers. It may + not have occurred to you that it makes any difference what one's customers + are, but it does in all regular and prolonged business. The condition of + the customer determines how much he will buy, determines of what sort he + will buy. Poor and ignorant people buy little and that of the poorest + kind. The richest and the intelligent, having the more means to buy, buy + the most, and always buy the best. Here, then, are the three liberties: + liberty of the producer, liberty of the distributor, and liberty of the + consumer. The first two need no discussion; they have been long thoroughly + and brilliantly illustrated by the political economists of Great Britain + and by her eminent statesmen; but it seems to me that enough attention has + not been directed to the third; and, with your patience, I will dwell upon + that for a moment, before proceeding to other topics. + </p> + <p> + It is a necessity of every manufacturing and commercial people that their + customers should be very wealthy and intelligent. Let us put the subject + before you in the familiar light of your own local experience. To whom do + the tradesmen of Liverpool sell the most goods at the highest profit? To + the ignorant and poor, or to the educated and prosperous? [A voice: "To + the Southerners." Laughter.] The poor man buys simply for his body; he + buys food, he buys clothing, he buys fuel, he buys lodging. His rule is to + buy the least and the cheapest that he can. He goes to the store as seldom + as he can; he brings away as little as he can; and he buys for the least + he can. [Much laughter.] Poverty is not a misfortune to the poor only who + suffer it, but it is more or less a misfortune to all with whom he deals. + On the other hand, a man well off—how is it with him? He buys in far + greater quantity. He can afford to do it; he has the money to pay for it. + He buys in far greater variety, because he seeks to gratify not merely + physical wants, but also mental wants. He buys for the satisfaction of + sentiment and taste, as well as of sense. He buys silk, wool, flax, + cotton; he buys all metals—iron, silver, gold, platinum; in short he + buys for all necessities and all substances. But that is not all. He buys + a better quality of goods. He buys richer silks, finer cottons, higher + grained wools. Now a rich silk means so much skill and care of somebody's + that has been expended upon it to make it finer and richer; and so of + cotton and so of wool. That is, the price of the finer goods runs back to + the very beginning, and remunerates the workman as well as the merchant. + Now, the whole laboring community is as much interested and profited as + the mere merchant, in this buying and selling of the higher grades in the + greater varieties and quantities. The law of price is the skill; and the + amount of skill expended in the work is as much for the market as are the + goods. A man comes to market and says: "I have a pair of hands," and he + obtains the lowest wages. Another man comes and says: "I have something + more than a pair of hands; I have truth and fidelity." He gets a higher + price. Another man comes and says: "I have something more; I have hands, + and strength, and fidelity, and skill." He gets more than either of the + others. + </p> + <p> + The next man comes and says: "I have got hands, and strength, and skill, + and fidelity; but my hands work more than that. They know how to create + things for the fancy, for the affections, for the moral sentiments"; and + he gets more than either of the others. The last man comes and says: "I + have all these qualities, and have them so highly that it is a peculiar + genius"; and genius carries the whole market and gets the highest price. + [Loud applause.] So that both the workman and the merchant are profited by + having purchasers that demand quality, variety, and quantity. Now, if this + be so in the town or the city, it can only be so because it is a law. This + is the specific development of a general or universal law, and therefore + we should expect to find it as true of a nation as of a city like + Liverpool. I know that it is so, and you know that it is true of all the + world; and it is just as important to have customers educated, + Intelligent, moral, and rich out of Liverpool as it is in Liverpool. + [Applause.] They are able to buy; they want variety, they want the very + best; and those are the customers you want. That nation is the best + customer that is freest, because freedom works prosperity, industry, and + wealth. Great Britain, then, aside from moral considerations, has a direct + commercial and pecuniary interest in the liberty, civilization, and wealth + of every nation on the globe. [Loud applause.] You also have an interest + in this, because you are a moral and religious people. ["Oh, oh!" laughter + and applause.] You desire it from the highest motives; and godliness is + profitable in all things, having the promise of the life that now is, as + well as of that which is to come; but if there were no hereafter, and if + man had no progress in this life, and if there were no question of + civilization at all, it would be worth your while to protect civilization + and liberty, merely as a commercial speculation. To evangelize has more + than a moral and religious import—it comes back to temporal + relations. Wherever a nation that is crushed, cramped, degraded under + despotism is struggling to be free, you, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, + Paisley, all have an interest that that nation should be free. When + depressed and backward people demand that they may have a chance to rise—Hungary, + Italy, Poland—it is a duty for humanity's sake, it is a duty for the + highest moral motives, to sympathize with them; but besides all these + there is a material and an interested reason why you should sympathize + with them. Pounds and pence join with conscience and with honor in this + design. Now, Great Britain's chief want is—what? + </p> + <p> + They have said that your chief want is cotton. I deny it. Your chief want + is consumers. [Applause and hisses.] You have got skill, you have got + capital, and you have got machinery enough to manufacture goods for the + whole population of the globe. You could turn out fourfold as much as you + do, if you only had the market to sell in. It is not so much the want, + therefore, of fabric, though there may be a temporary obstruction of it; + but the principal and increasing want—increasing from year to year—is, + where shall we find men to buy what we can manufacture so fast? + [Interruption, and a voice, "The Morrill tariff," and applause.] Before + the American war broke out, your warehouses were loaded with goods that + you could not sell. [Applause and hisses.] You had over-manufactured; what + is the meaning of over-manufacturing but this: that you had skill, + capital, machinery, to create faster than you had customers to take goods + off your hands? And you know that rich as Great Britain is, vast as are + her manufactures, if she could have fourfold the present demand, she could + make fourfold riches to-morrow; and every political economist will tell + you that your want is not cotton primarily, but customers. Therefore, the + doctrine, how to make customers, is a great deal more important to Great + Britain than the doctrine how to raise cotton. It is to that doctrine I + ask from you, business men, practical men, men of fact, sagacious + Englishmen—to that point I ask a moment's attention. [Shouts of "Oh, + oh!" hisses, and applause.] There are no more continents to be discovered. + [Hear, hear!] The market of the future must be found—how? There is + very little hope of any more demand being created by new fields. If you + are to have a better market there must be some kind of process invented to + make the old fields better. [A voice, "Tell us something new," shouts of + order, and interruption.] Let us look at it, then. You must civilize the + world in order to make a better class of purchasers. [Interruption.] If + you were to press Italy down again under the feet of despotism, Italy, + discouraged, could draw but very few supplies from you. But give her + liberty, kindle schools throughout her valleys, spur her industry, make + treaties with her by which she can exchange her wine, and her oil, and her + silk for your manufactured goods; and for every effort that you make in + that direction there will come back profit to you by increased traffic + with her. [Loud applause.] If Hungary asks to be an unshackled nation—if + by freedom she will rise in virtue and intelligence, then by freedom she + will acquire a more multifarious industry, which she will be willing to + exchange for your manufactures. Her liberty is to be found—where? + You will find it in the Word of God, you will find it in the code of + history; but you will also find it in the Price Current [Hear, hear!]; and + every free nation, every civilized people—every people that rises + from barbarism to industry and intelligence, becomes a better customer. + </p> + <p> + A savage is a man of one story, and that one story a cellar. When a man + begins to be civilized, he raises another story. When you Christianize and + civilize the man, you put story upon story, for you develop faculty after + faculty; and you have to supply every story with your productions. The + savage is a man one story deep; the civilized man is thirty stories deep. + [Applause.] Now, if you go to a lodging-house, where there are three or + four men, your sales to them may, no doubt, be worth something; but if you + go to a lodging-house like some of those which I saw in Edinburgh, which + seemed to contain about twenty stories ["Oh, oh!" and interruption], every + story of which is full, and all who occupy buy of you—which is the + better customer, the man who is drawn out, or the man who is pinched up? + [Laughter.] Now, there is in this a great and sound principle of economy. + ["Yah, yah!" from the passage outside the hall, and loud laughter.] If the + South should be rendered independent—[at this juncture mingled + cheering and hissing became immense; half the audience rose to their feet, + waving hats and hand-kerchiefs, and in every part of the hall there was + the greatest commotion and uproar.] You have had your turn now; now let me + have mine again. [Loud applause and laughter.] It is a little inconvenient + to talk against the wind; but after all, if you will just keep + good-natured—I am not going to lose my temper; will you watch yours? + [Applause.] Besides all that, it rests me, and gives me a chance, you + know, to get my breath. [Applause and hisses.] And I think that the bark + of those men is worse than their bite. They do not mean any harm—they + don't know any better. [Loud laughter, applause, hisses, and continued + up-roar.] I was saying, when these responses broke in, that it was worth + our while to consider both alternatives. What will be the result if this + present struggle shall eventuate in the separation of America, and making + the South—[loud applause, hisses, hooting, and cries of "Bravo!"]—a + slave territory exclusively,—[cries of "No, no!" and laughter]—and + the North a free territory,—what will be the final result? You will + lay the foundation for carrying the slave population clear through to the + Pacific Ocean. This is the first step. There is not a man that has been a + leader of the South any time within these twenty years, that has not had + this for a plan. It was for this that Texas was invaded, first by + colonists, next by marauders, until it was wrested from Mexico. It was for + this that they engaged in the Mexican War itself, by which the vast + territory reaching to the Pacific was added to the Union. Never for a + moment have they given up the plan of spreading the American institutions, + as they call them, straight through toward the West, until the slave, who + has washed his feet in the Atlantic, shall be carried to wash them in the + Pacific. [Cries of "Question," and up-roar.] There! I have got that + statement out, and you cannot put it back. [Laughter and applause.] Now, + let us consider the prospect. If the South becomes a slave empire, what + relation will it have to you as a customer? [A voice: "Or any other man." + Laughter.] It would be an empire of 12,000,000 of people. Now, of these, + 8,000,000 are white, and 4,000,000 black. [A voice: "How many have you + got?" Applause and laughter. Another voice: "Free your own slaves."] + Consider that one third of the whole are the miserably poor, unbuying + blacks. [Cries of "No, no!" "Yes, yes!" and interruption.] You do not + manufacture much for them. [Hisses, "Oh!" "No."] You have not got + machinery coarse enough. [Laughter, and "No."] Your labor is too skilled + by far to manufacture bagging and linsey-woolsey. [A Southerner: "We are + going to free them, every one."] Then you and I agree exactly. [Laughter.] + One other third consists of a poor, unskilled, degraded white population; + and the remaining one third, which is a large allowance, we will say, + intelligent and rich. + </p> + <p> + Now here are twelve million of people, and only one third of them are + customers that can afford to buy the kind of goods that you bring to + market. [Interruption and uproar.] My friends, I saw a man once, who was a + little late at a railway station, chase an express train. He did not catch + it. [Laughter.] If you are going to stop this meeting, you have got to + stop it before I speak; for after I have got the things out, you may chase + as long as you please—you would not catch them. [Laughter and + interruption.] But there is luck in leisure; I 'm going to take it easy. + [Laughter.] Two thirds of the population of the Southern States to-day are + non-purchasers of English goods. [A voice: "No, they are not"; "No, no!" + and uproar.] Now you must recollect another fact—namely, that this + is going on clear through to the Pacific Ocean; and if by sympathy or help + you establish a slave empire, you sagacious Britons—["Oh, oh!" and + hooting]—if you like it better, then, I will leave the adjective out—[laughter, + Hear! and applause]—are busy in favoring the establishment of an + empire from ocean to ocean that should have fewest customers and the + largest non-buying population. [Applause, "No, no!" A voice: "I thought it + was the happy people that populated fastest."] ` + </p> + <p> + Now, what can England make for the poor white population of such a future + empire, and for her slave population? What carpets, what linens, what + cottons can you sell them? What machines, what looking-glasses, what + combs, what leather, what books, what pictures, what engravings? [A voice: + "We 'll sell them ships."] You may sell ships to a few, but what ships can + you sell to two thirds of the population of poor whites and blacks? + [Applause.] A little bagging and a little linsey-woolsey, a few whips and + manacles, are all that you can sell for the slave. [Great applause and + uproar.] This very day, in the slave States of America there are eight + millions out of twelve millions that are not, and cannot be your customers + from the very laws of trade. [A voice: "Then how are they clothed?" and + interruption.] * * * + </p> + <p> + But I know that you say, you cannot help sympathizing with a gallant + people. [Hear, hear!] They are the weaker people, the minority; and you + cannot help going with the minority who are struggling for their rights + against the majority. Nothing could be more generous, when a weak party + stands for its own legitimate rights against imperious pride and power, + than to sympathize with the weak. But who ever sympathized with a weak + thief, because three constables had got hold of him? [Hear, hear!] And yet + the one thief in three policemen's hands is the weaker party. I suppose + you would sympathize with him. [Hear, hear! laughter, and applause.] Why, + when that infamous king of Naples—Bomba, was driven into Gaeta by + Garibaldi with his immortal band of patriots, and Cavour sent against him + the army of Northern Italy, who was the weaker party then? The tyrant and + his minions; and the majority was with the noble Italian patriots, + struggling for liberty. I never heard that Old England sent deputations to + King Bomba, and yet his troops resisted bravely there. [Laugh-ter and + interruption.] To-day the majority of the people of Rome is with Italy. + Nothing but French bayonets keeps her from going back to the kingdom of + Italy, to which she belongs. Do you sympathize with the minority in Rome + or the majority in Italy? [A voice: "With Italy."] To-day the South is the + minority in America, and they are fighting for independence! For what? + [Uproar. A voice: "Three cheers for independence!" and hisses.] I could + wish so much bravery had a better cause, and that so much self-denial had + been less deluded; that the poisonous and venomous doctrine of State + rights might have been kept aloof; that so many gallant spirits, such as + Jackson, might still have lived. [Great applause and loud cheers, again + and again renewed.] The force of these facts, historical and + incontrovertible, cannot be broken, except by diverting attention by an + attack upon the North. It is said that the North is fighting for Union, + and not for emancipation. The North is fighting for Union, for that + ensures emancipation. [Loud cheers, "Oh, oh!" "No, no!" and cheers.] A + great many men say to ministers of the Gospel: "You pretend to be + preaching and working for the love of the people. Why, you are all the + time preaching for the sake of the Church." What does the minister say? + "It is by means of the Church that we help the people," and when men say + that we are fighting for the Union, I too say we are fighting for the + Union. [Hear, hear! and a voice: "That 's right."] But the motive + determines the value; and why are we fighting for the Union? Because we + never shall forget the testimony of our enemies. They have gone off + declaring that the Union in the hands of the North was fatal to slavery. + [Loud applause.] There is testimony in court for you. [A voice: "See + that," and laughter.] * * * + </p> + <p> + In the first place I am ashamed to confess that such was the + thoughtlessness—[interruption]—such was the stupor of the + North—[renewed interruption]—you will get a word at a time; + to-morrow will let folks see what it is you don't want to hear—that + for a period of twenty-five years she went to sleep, and permitted herself + to be drugged and poisoned with the Southern prejudice against black men. + [Applause and uproar.] The evil was made worse, because, when any object + whatever has caused anger between political parties, a political animosity + arises against that object, no matter how innocent in itself; no matter + what were the original influences which excited the quarrel. Thus the + colored man has been the football between the two parties in the North, + and has suffered accordingly. I confess it to my shame. But I am speaking + now on my own ground, for I began twenty-five years ago, with a small + party, to combat the unjust dislike of the colored man. [Loud applause, + dissension, and uproar. The interruption at this point became so violent + that the friends of Mr. Beecher throughout the hall rose to their feet, + waving hats and handkerchiefs, and renewing their shouts of applause. The + interruption lasted some minutes.] Well, I have lived to see a total + revolution in the Northern feeling—I stand here to bear solemn + witness of that. It is not my opinion; it is my knowledge. [Great uproar.] + Those men who undertook to stand up for the rights of all men—black + as well as white—have increased in number; and now what party in the + North represents those men that resist the evil prejudices of past years? + The Republicans are that party. [Loud applause.] And who are those men in + the North that have oppressed the negro? They are the Peace Democrats; and + the prejudice for which in England you are attempting to punish me, is a + prejudice raised by the men who have opposed me all my life. These + pro-slavery Democrats abuse the negro. I defended him, and they mobbed me + for doing it. Oh, justice! [Loud laughter, applause, and hisses.] This is + as if a man should commit an assault, maim and wound a neighbor, and a + surgeon being called in should begin to dress his wounds, and by and by a + policeman should come and collar the surgeon and haul him off to prison on + account of the wounds which he was healing. + </p> + <p> + Now, I told you I would not flinch from any thing. I am going to read you + some questions that were sent after me from Glasgow, purporting to be from + a workingman. [Great interruption.] If those pro-slavery interrupters + think they will tire me out, they will do more than eight millions in + America could. [Applause and renewed interruption.] I was reading a + question on your side too. "Is it not a fact that in most of the Northern + States laws exist precluding negroes from equal civil and political rights + with the whites? That in the State of New York the negro has to be the + possessor of at least two hundred and fifty dollars' worth of property to + entitle him to the privileges of a white citizen? That in some of the + Northern States the colored man, whether bond or free, is by law excluded + altogether, and not suffered to enter the State limits, under severe + penalties? and is not Mr. Lincoln's own State one of them? and in view of + the fact that the $20,000,000 compensation which was promised to Missouri + in aid of emancipation was defeated in the last Congress (the strongest + Republican Congress that ever assembled), what has the North done toward + emancipation?" Now, then, there 's a dose for you. [A voice: "Answer it."] + And I will address myself to the answering of it. And first, the bill for + emancipation in Missouri, to which this money was denied, was a bill which + was drawn by what we call "log-rollers," who inserted in it an enormously + disproportioned price for the slaves. The Republicans offered to give them + $10,000,000 for the slaves in Missouri, and they outvoted it because they + could not get $12,000,000. Already half the slave population had been + "run" down South, and yet they came up to Congress to get $12,000,000 for + what was not worth ten millions, nor even eight millions. Now as to those + States that had passed "black" laws, as we call them; they are filled with + Southern emigrants. The southern parts of Ohio, the southern part of + Indiana, where I myself lived for years, and which I knew like a book, the + southern part of Illinois, where Mr. Lincoln lives—[great uproar]—these + parts are largely settled by emigrants from Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, + Virginia, and North Carolina, and it was their vote, or the Northern votes + pandering for political reasons to theirs, that passed in those States the + infamous "black" laws; and the Republicans in these States have a record, + clean and white, as having opposed these laws in every instance as + "infamous." Now as to the State of New York; it is asked whether a negro + is not obliged to have a certain freehold property, or a certain amount of + property, before he can vote. It is so still in North Carolina and Rhode + Island for white folks—it is so in New York State. [Mr. Beecher's + voice slightly failed him here, and he was interrupted by a person who + tried to imitate him. Cries of "Shame!" and "Turn him out!"] I am not + undertaking to say that these faults of the North, which were brought upon + them by the bad example and influence of the South, are all cured; but I + do say that they are in process of cure which promises, if unimpeded by + foreign influence, to make all such odious distinctions vanish. + </p> + <p> + There is another fact that I wish to allude to—not for the sake of + reproach or blame, but by way of claiming your more lenient consideration—and + that is, that slavery was entailed upon us by your action. [Hear, hear!] + Against the earnest protests of the colonists the then government of Great + Britain—I will concede not knowing what were the mischiefs—ignorantly, + but in point of fact, forced slave traffic on the unwilling colonists. + [Great uproar, in the midst of which one individual was lifted up and + carried out of the room amidst cheers and hisses.] + </p> + <p> + The CHAIRMAN: If you would only sit down no disturbance would take place. + </p> + <p> + The disturbance having subsided, + </p> + <p> + MR. BEECHER said: I was going to ask you, suppose a child is born with + hereditary disease; suppose this disease was entailed upon him by parents + who had contracted it by their own misconduct, would it be fair that those + parents that had brought into the world the diseased child, should rail at + that child because it was diseased. ["No, no!"] Would not the child have a + right to turn round and say: "Father, it was your fault that I had it, and + you ought to be pleased to be patient with my deficiencies." [Applause and + hisses, and cries of "Order!" Great interruption and great disturbance + here took place on the right of the platform; and the chairman said that + if the persons around the unfortunate individual who had caused the + disturbance would allow him to speak alone, but not assist him in making + the disturbance, it might soon be put an end to. The interruption + continued until another person was carried out of the hall.] Mr. Beecher + continued: I do not ask that you should justify slavery in us, because it + was wrong in you two hundred years ago; but having ignorantly been the + means of fixing it upon us, now that we are struggling with mortal + struggles to free ourselves from it, we have a right to your tolerance, + your patience, and charitable constructions. + </p> + <p> + No man can unveil the future; no man can tell what revolutions are about + to break upon the world; no man can tell what destiny belongs to France, + nor to any of the European powers; but one thing is certain, that in the + exigencies of the future there will be combinations and recombinations, + and that those nations that are of the same faith, the same blood, and the + same substantial interests, ought not to be alienated from each other, but + ought to stand together. [Immense cheering and hisses.] I do not say that + you ought not to be in the most friendly alliance with France or with + Germany; but I do say that your own children, the offspring of England, + ought to be nearer to you than any people of strange tongue. [A voice: + "Degenerate sons," applause and hisses; another voice: "What about the + Trent?"] If there had been any feelings of bitterness in America, let me + tell you that they had been excited, rightly or wrongly, under the + impression that Great Britain was going to intervene between us and our + own lawful struggle. [A voice: "No!" and applause.] With the evidence that + there is no such intention all bitter feelings will pass away. [Applause.] + We do not agree with the recent doctrine of neutrality as a question of + law. But it is past, and we are not disposed to raise that question. We + accept it now as a fact, and we say that the utterance of Lord Russell at + Blairgowrie—[Applause, hisses, and a voice: "What about Lord + Brougham?"]—together with the declaration of the government in + stopping war-steamers here—[great uproar, and applause]—has + gone far toward quieting every fear and removing every apprehension from + our minds. [Uproar and shouts of applause.] And now in the future it is + the work of every good man and patriot not to create divisions, but to do + the things that will make for peace. ["Oh, oh!" and laughter.] On our part + it shall be done. [Applause and hisses, and "No, no!"] On your part it + ought to be done; and when in any of the convulsions that come upon the + world, Great Britain finds herself struggling single-handed against the + gigantic powers that spread oppression and darkness—[applause, + hisses, and uproar]—there ought to be such cordiality that she can + turn and say to her first-born and most illustrious child, "Come!" [Hear, + hear! applause, tremendous cheers, and uproar.] I will not say that + England cannot again, as hitherto, single-handed manage any power—[applause + and uproar]—but I will say that England and America together for + religion and liberty—[A voice: "Soap, soap," uproar, and great + applause]—are a match for the world. [Applause; a voice: "They don't + want any more soft soap."] Now, gentlemen and ladies—[A voice: "Sam + Slick"; and another voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, if you please,"]—when + I came I was asked whether I would answer questions, and I very readily + consented to do so, as I had in other places; but I will tell you it was + because I expected to have the opportunity of speaking with some sort of + ease and quiet. [A voice: "So you have."] I have for an hour and a half + spoken against a storm—[Hear, hear!]—and you yourselves are + witnesses that, by the interruption, I have been obliged to strive with my + voice, so that I no longer have the power to control this assembly. + [Applause.] And although I am in spirit perfectly willing to answer any + question, and more than glad of the chance, yet I am by this very + unnecessary opposition to-night incapacitated physically from doing it. + Ladies and gentlemen, I bid you good-evening. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN. + </h2> + <h3> + THE GETTYSBURGH ADDRESS, + </h3> + <p> + NOVEMBER 19, 1863. + </p> + <p> + Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this + continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the + proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great + civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so + dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. + We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place + for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is + altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger + sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this + ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have + consecrated it far above our power to add or detract. The world will + little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget + what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here + to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly + advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task + remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased + devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of + devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died + in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, + and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, + shall not perish from the earth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img alt="lincoln (92K)" src="images/lincoln.jpg" width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ABRAHAM LINCOLN. + </h2> + <h3> + SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS, + </h3> + <p> + MARCH 4, 1865. FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN: + </p> + <p> + At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office, + there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at first. + Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued seemed + very fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during + which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point + and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and + engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be + presented. + </p> + <p> + The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well + known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust, reasonably + satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no + prediction in regard to it is ventured. + </p> + <p> + On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were + anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought + to avoid it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this + place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent + agents were in the city seeking to destroy it with war—seeking to + dissolve the Union and divide the effects by negotiation. Both parties + deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation + survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the + war came. One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not + distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part + of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew + that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, + perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the + insurgents would rend the Union by war, while the government claimed no + right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. + </p> + <p> + Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it + has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict + might cease when, or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each + looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and + astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each + invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should + dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat + of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The + prayer of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered + fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. Woe unto the world because of + offences, for it must needs be that offences come, but woe to that man by + whom the offence cometh. If we shall suppose that American slavery is one + of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but + which having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, + and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due + to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern there any departure + from those Divine attributes which the believers in a living God always + ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty + scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet if God wills that it continue + until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years + of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with + the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three + thousand years ago, so still it must be said, that the judgments of the + Lord are true and righteous altogether. + </p> + <p> + With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right + as God gives us to see the right, let us finish the work we are in, to + bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the + battle, and for his widow and his orphans, to do all which may achieve and + cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HENRY WINTER DAVIS, + </h2> + <h3> + OF MARYLAND. (BORN 1817, DIED 1865.) + </h3> + <p> + ON RECONSTRUCTION; THE FIRST REPUBLICAN THEORY; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, + MARCH 22, 1864. MR. SPEAKER: + </p> + <p> + The bill which I am directed by the committee on the rebellious States to + report is one which provides for the restoration of civil government in + States whose governments have been overthrown. It prescribes such + conditions as will secure not only civil government to the people of the + rebellious States, but will also secure to the people of the United States + permanent peace after the suppression of the rebellion. The bill + challenges the support of all who consider slavery the cause of the + rebellion, and that in it the embers of rebellion will always smoulder; of + those who think that freedom and permanent peace are inseparable, and who + are determined, so far as their constitutional authority will allow them, + to secure these fruits by adequate legislation. * * * It is entitled to + the support of all gentlemen upon this side of the House, whatever their + views may be of the nature of the rebellion, and the relation in which it + has placed the people and States in rebellion toward the United States; + not less of those who think that the rebellion has placed the citizens of + the rebel States beyond the protection of the Constitution, and that + Congress, therefore, has supreme power over them as conquered enemies, + than of that other class who think that they have not ceased to be + citizens and States of the United States, though incapable of exercising + political privileges under the Constitution, but that Congress is charged + with a high political power by the Constitution to guarantee republican + governments in the States, and that this is the proper time and the proper + mode of exercising it. It is also entitled to the favorable consideration + of gentlemen upon the other side of the House who honestly and + deliberately express their judgment that slavery is dead. To them it puts + the question whether it is not advisable to bury it out of sight, that its + ghost may no longer stalk abroad to frighten us from our propriety. * * * + </p> + <p> + What is the nature of this case with which we have to deal, the evil we + must remedy, the danger we must avert? In other words, what is that + monster of political wrong which is called secession? It is not, Mr. + Speaker, domestic violence, within the meaning of that clause of the + Constitution, for the violence was the act of the people of those States + through their governments, and was the offspring of their free and + unforced will. It is not invasion, in the meaning of the Constitution, for + no State has been invaded against the will of the government of the State + by any power except the United States marching to overthrow the usurpers + of its territory. It is, therefore, the act of the people of the States, + carrying with it all the consequences of such an act. And therefore it + must be either a legal revolution, which makes them independent, and makes + of the United States a foreign country, or it is a usurpation against the + authority of the United States, the erection of governments which do not + recognize the Constitution of the United States, which the Constitution + does not recognize, and, therefore, not republican governments of the + States in rebellion. The latter is the view which all parties take of it. + I do not understand that any gentleman on the other side of the House says + that any rebel government which does not recognize the Constitution of the + United States, and which is not recognized by Congress, is a State + government within the meaning of the Constitution. Still less can it be + said that there is a State government, republican or unrepublican, in the + State of Tennessee, where there is no government of any kind, no civil + authority, no organized form of administration except that represented by + the flag of the United States, obeying the will and under the orders of + the military officer in command. * * * + </p> + <p> + Those that are here represented are the only governments existing within + the limits of the United States. Those that are not here represented are + not governments of the States, republican under the Constitution. And if + they be not, then they are military usurpations, inaugurated as the + permanent governments of the States, contrary to the supreme law of the + land, arrayed in arms against the Government of the United States; and it + is the duty, the first and highest duty, of the government to suppress and + expel them. Congress must either expel or recognize and support them. If + it do not guarantee them, it is bound to expel them; and they who are not + ready to suppress are bound to recognize them. + </p> + <p> + We are now engaged in suppressing a military usurpation of the authority + of the State governments. When that shall have been accomplished, there + will be no form of State authority in existence which Congress can + recognize. Our success will be the overthrow of all sent balance of + government in the rebel States. The Government of the United States is + then in fact the only government existing in those States, and it is there + charged to guarantee them republican governments. + </p> + <p> + What jurisdiction does the duty of guaranteeing a republican government + confer under such circumstances upon Congress? What right does it give? + What laws may it pass? What objects may it accomplish? What conditions may + it insist upon, and what judgment may it exercise in determining what it + will do? The duty of guaranteeing carries with it the right to pass all + laws necessary and proper to guarantee. The duty of guaranteeing means the + duty to accomplish the result. It means that the republican government + shall exist. It means that every opposition to republican government shall + be put down. It means that every thing inconsistent with the permanent + continuance of republican government shall be weeded out. It places in the + hands of Congress to say what is and what is not, with all the light of + experience and all the lessons of the past, inconsistent, in its judgment, + with the permanent continuance of republican government; and if, in its + judgment, any form of policy is radically and inherently inconsistent with + the permanent and enduring peace of the country, with the permanent + supremacy of republican government, and it have the manliness to say so, + there is no power, judicial or executive, in the United States that can + even question this judgment but the people; and they can do it only by + sending other Representatives here to undo our work. The very language of + the Constitution, and the necessary logic of the case, involve that + consequence. The denial of the right of secession means that all the + territory of the United States shall remain under the jurisdiction of the + Constitution. If there can be no State government which does not recognize + the Constitution, and which the authorities of the United States do not + recognize, then there are these alternatives, and these only: the rebel + States must be governed by Congress till they submit and form a State + government under the Constitution; or Congress must recognize State + governments which do not recognize either Congress or the Constitution of + the United States; or there must be an entire absence of all government in + the rebel States—and that is anarchy. To recognize a government + which does not recognize the Constitution is absurd, for a government is + not a constitution; and the recognition of a State government means the + acknowledgment of men as governors and legislators and judges, actually + invested with power to make laws, to judge of crimes, to convict the + citizens of other States, to demand the surrender of fugitives from + justice, to arm and command the militia, to require the United States to + repress all opposition to its authority, and to protect it against + invasion—against our own armies; whose Senators and Representatives + are entitled to seats in Congress, and whose electoral votes must be + counted in the election of the President of a government which they disown + and defy. To accept the alternative of anarchy as the constitutional + condition of a State is to assert the failure of the Constitution and the + end of republican government. Until, therefore, Congress recognize a State + government, organized under its auspices, there is no government in the + rebel States except the authority of Congress. * * * When military + opposition shall have been suppressed, not merely paralyzed, driven into a + corner, pushed back, but gone, the horrid vision of civil war vanished + from the South, then call upon the people to reorganize in their own way, + subject to the conditions that we think essential to our permanent peace, + and to prevent the revival hereafter of the rebellion—a republican + government in the form that the people of the United States can agree to. + </p> + <p> + Now, for that purpose there are three modes indicated. One is to remove + the cause of the war by an alteration of the Constitution of the United + States, prohibiting slavery everywhere within its limits. That, sir, goes + to the root of the matter, and should consecrate the nation's triumph. But + there are thirty-four States; three fourths of them would be twenty-six. I + believe there are twenty-five States represented in this Congress; so that + we on that basis can-not change the Constitution. It is, therefore,a + condition precedent in that view of the case that more States shall have + governments organized within them. If it be assumed that the basis of + calculation shall be three fourths of the States now represented in + Congress, I agree to that construction of the Constitution. * * * + </p> + <p> + But, under any circumstances, even upon that basis it will be difficult to + find three fourths of the States, with New Jersey, or Kentucky, or + Maryland, or Delaware, or other States that might be mentioned, opposed to + it, under existing auspices, to adopt such a clause of the Constitution + after we shall have agreed to it. If adopted it still leaves all laws + necessary to the ascertainment of the will of the people, and all + restrictions on the return to power of the leaders of the rebellion, + wholly unprovided for. The amendment of the Constitution meets my hearty + approval, but it is not a remedy for the evils we must deal with. + </p> + <p> + The next plan is that inaugurated by the President of the United States, + in the proclamation of the 8th December (1863), called the amnesty + proclamation. That proposes no guardianship of the United States over the + reorganization of the governments, no law to prescribe who shall vote, no + civil functionaries to see that the law is faithfully executed, no + supervising authority to control and judge of the election. But if in any + manner by the toleration of martial law, lately proclaimed the fundamental + law, under the dictation of any military authority, or under the + prescription of a provost marshal, something in the form of a government + shall be presented, represented to rest on the votes of one tenth of the + population, the President will recognize that, provided it does not + contravene the proclamation of freedom and the laws of Congress; and to + secure that an oath is exacted. There is no guaranty of law to watch over + the organization of that government. It may be recognized by the military + power, and not recognized by the civil power, so that it would have a + doubtful existence, half civil and half military, neither a temporary + government by law of Congress nor a State government, something as unknown + to the Constitution as the rebel government that refuses to recognize it. + The only prescription is that it shall not contravene the provisions of + the proclamation. Sir, if that proclamation be valid, then we are relieved + from all trouble on that score. But if that proclamation be not valid, + then the oath to support it is without legal sanction, for the President + can ask no man to bind himself by an oath to support an unfounded + proclamation or an unconstitutional law even for a moment, still less + after it shall have been declared void by the Supreme Court of the United + States. * * * + </p> + <p> + By the bill we propose to preclude the judicial question by the solution + of a political question. How so? By the paramount power of Congress to + reorganize governments in those States, to impose such conditions as it + thinks necessary to secure the permanence of republican government, to + refuse to recognize any governments there which do not prohibit slavery + forever. Ay, gentlemen, take the responsibility to say in the face of + those who clamor for the speedy recognition of governments tolerating + slavery, that the safety of the people of the United States is the supreme + law; that their will is the supreme rule of law, and that we are + authorized to pronounce their will on this subject. Take the + responsibility to say that we will revise the judgments of our ancestors; + that we have experience written in blood which they had not; that we find + now what they darkly doubted, that slavery is really, radically + inconsistent with the permanence of republican governments; and that being + charged by the supreme law of the land on our conscience and judgment to + guarantee, that is to continue, maintain and enforce, if it exist, to + institute and restore, when overthrown, republican government throughout + the broad limits of the republic, we will weed out every element of their + policy which we think incompatible with its permanence and endurance. The + purpose of the bill is to preclude the judicial question of the validity + and effect of the President's proclamation by the decision of the + political authority in reorganizing the State governments. It makes the + rule of decision the provisions of the State constitution, which, when + recognized by Congress, can be questioned in no court; and it adds to the + authority of the proclamation the sanction of Congress. If gentlemen say + that the Constitution does not bear that construction, we will go before + the people of the United States on that question, and by their judgment we + will abide. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + GEORGE H. PENDLETON, + </h2> + <h3> + OF OHIO. (BORN 1825, DIED 1889.) + </h3> + <p> + ON RECONSTRUCTION; THE DEMOCRATIC THEORY; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MAY 4, + 1864. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman [Mr. H. W. Davis] maintains two propositions, which lie at + the very basis of his views on this subject. He has explained them to the + House, and enforced them on other occasions. He maintains that, by reason + of their secession, the seceded States and their citizens "have not ceased + to be citizens and States of the United States, though incapable of + exercising political privileges under the Constitution, but that Congress + is charged with a high political power by the Constitution to guarantee + republican government in the States, and that this is the proper time and + the proper mode of exercising it." This act of revolution on the part of + the seceding States has evoked the most extraordinary theories upon the + relations of the States to the Federal Government. This theory of the + gentleman is one of them. + </p> + <p> + The ratification of the Constitution by Virginia established the relation + between herself and the Federal Government; it created the link between + her and all the States; it announced her assumption of the duties, her + title to the rights, of the confederating States; it proclaimed her + interest in, her power over, her obedience to, the common agent of all the + States. If Virginia had never ordained that ratification, she would have + been an independent State; the Constitution would have been as perfect and + the union between the ratifying States would have been as complete as they + now are. Virginia repeals that ordinance, annuls that bond of union, + breaks that link of confederation. She repeals but a single law, repeals + it by the action of a sovereign convention, leaves her constitution, her + laws, her political and social polity untouched. And the gentleman from + Maryland tells us that the effect of this repeal is not to destroy the + vigor of that law, but to subvert the State government, and to render the + citizens "incapable of exercising political privileges"; that the Union + remains, but that one party to it has thereby lost its corporate + existence, and the other has advanced to the control and government of it. + </p> + <p> + Sir, this cannot be. Gentlemen must not palter in a double sense. These + acts of secession are either valid or invalid. If they are valid, they + separated the State from the Union. If they are invalid, they are void; + they have no effect; the State officers who act upon them are rebels to + the Federal Government; the States are not destroyed; their constitutions + are not abrogated; their officers are committing illegal acts, for which + they are liable to punishment; the States have never left the Union, but, + as soon as their officers shall perform their duties or other officers + shall assume their places, will again perform the duties imposed, and + enjoy the privileges conferred, by the Federal compact, and this not by + virtue of a new ratification of the Constitution, nor a new admission by + the Federal Government, but by virtue of the original ratification, and + the constant, uninterrupted maintenance of position in the Federal Union + since that date. + </p> + <p> + Acts of secession are not invalid to destroy the Union, and valid to + destroy the State governments and the political privileges of their + citizens. We have heard much of the twofold relations which citizens of + the seceded States may hold to the Federal Government—that they may + be at once belligerents and rebellious citizens. I believe there are some + judicial decisions to that effect. Sir, it is impossible. The Federal + Government may possibly have the right to elect in which relation it will + deal with them; it cannot deal at one and the same time in inconsistent + relations. Belligerents, being captured, are entitled to be treated as + prisoners of war; rebellious citizens are liable to be hanged. The private + property of belligerents, according to the rules of modern war, shall not + be taken without compensation; the property of rebellious citizens is + liable to confiscation. Belligerents are not amenable to the local + criminal law, nor to the jurisdiction of the courts which administer it; + rebellious citizens are, and the officers are bound to enforce the law and + exact the penalty of its infraction. The seceded States are either in the + Union or out of it. If in the Union, their constitutions are untouched, + their State governments are maintained, their citizens are entitled to all + political rights, except so far as they may be deprived of them by the + criminal law which they have infracted. + </p> + <p> + This seems incomprehensible to the gentleman from Maryland. In his view, + the whole State government centres in the men who administer it, so that, + when they administer it unwisely, or put it in antagonism to the Federal + Government, the State government is dissolved, the State constitution is + abrogated, and the State is left, in fact and in form, <i>de jure</i> and + <i>de facto</i>, in anarchy, except so far as the Federal Government may + rightfully intervene. * * * I submit that these gentlemen do not see with + their usual clearness of vision. If, by a plague or other visitation of + God, every officer of a State government should at the same moment die, so + that not a single person clothed with official power should remain, would + the State government be destroyed? Not at all. For the moment it would not + be administered; but as soon as officers were elected, and assumed their + respective duties, it would be instantly in full force and vigor. + </p> + <p> + If these States are out of the Union, their State governments are still in + force, unless otherwise changed; their citizens are to the Federal + Government as foreigners, and it has in relation to them the same rights, + and none other, as it had in relation to British subjects in the war of + 1812, or to the Mexicans in 1846. Whatever may be the true relation of the + seceding States, the Federal Government derives no power in relation to + them or their citizens from the provision of the Constitution now under + consideration, but, in the one case, derives all its power from the duty + of enforcing the "supreme law of the land," and in the other, from the + power "to declare war." + </p> + <p> + The second proposition of the gentleman from Maryland is this—I use + his language: "That clause vests in the Congress of the United States a + plenary, supreme, unlimited political jurisdiction, paramount over courts, + subject only to the judgment of the people of the United States, embracing + within its scope every legislative measure necessary and proper to make it + effectual; and what is necessary and proper the Constitution refers in the + first place to our judgment, subject to no revision but that of the + people." + </p> + <p> + The gentleman states his case too strongly. The duty imposed on Congress + is doubtless important, but Congress has no right to use a means of + performing it forbidden by the Constitution, no matter how necessary or + proper it might be thought to be. But, sir, this doctrine is monstrous. It + has no foundation in the Constitution. It subjects all the States to the + will of Congress; it places their institutions at the feet of Congress. It + creates in Congress an absolute, unqualified despotism. It asserts the + power of Congress in changing the State governments to be "plenary, + supreme, unlimited," "subject only to revision by the people of the United + States." The rights of the people of the State are nothing; their will is + nothing. Congress first decides; the people of the whole Union revise. My + own State of Ohio is liable at any moment to be called in question for her + constitution. She does not permit negroes to vote. If this doctrine be + true, Congress may decide that this exclusion is anti-republican, and by + force of arms abrogate that constitution and set up another, permitting + negroes to vote. From that decision of Congress there is no appeal to the + people of Ohio, but only to the people of New York and Massachusetts and + Wisconsin, at the election of representatives, and, if a majority cannot + be elected to reverse the decision, the people of Ohio must submit. Woe be + to the day when that doctrine shall be established, for from its + centralized despotism we will appeal to the sword! + </p> + <p> + Sir, the rights of the States were the foundation corners of the + confederation. The Constitution recognized them, maintained them, provided + for their perpetuation. Our fathers thought them the safeguard of our + liberties. They have proved so. They have reconciled liberty with empire; + they have reconciled the freedom of the individual with the increase of + our magnificent domain. They are the test, the touchstone, the security of + our liberties. This bill, and the avowed doctrine of its supporters, + sweeps them all instantly away. It substitutes despotism for + self-government—despotism the more severe because vested in a + numerous Congress elected by a people who may not feel the exercise of its + power. It subverts the government, destroys the confederation, and erects + a tyranny on the ruins of republican governments. It creates unity—it + destroys liberty; it maintains integrity of territory, but destroys the + rights of the citizen. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THADDEUS STEVENS, + </h2> + <h3> + OF PENNSYLVANIA. (BORN 1792, DIED 1868.) + </h3> + <p> + ON RECONSTRUCTION; THE RADICAL REPUBLICAN THEORY; HOUSE OF + REPRESENTATIVES, DECEMBER 18, 1865. + </p> + <p> + A candid examination of the power and proper principles of reconstruction + can be offensive to no one, and may possibly be profitable by exciting + inquiry. One of the suggestions of the message which we are now + considering has special reference to this. Perhaps it is the principle + most interesting to the people at this time. The President assumes, what + no one doubts, that the late rebel States have lost their constitutional + relations to the Union, and are incapable of representation in Congress, + except by permission of the Government. It matters but little, with this + admission, whether you call them States out of the Union, and now + conquered territories, or assert that because the Constitution forbids + them to do what they did do, that they are therefore only dead as to all + national and political action, and will remain so until the Government + shall breathe into them the breath of life anew and permit them to occupy + their former position. In other words, that they are not out of the Union, + but are only dead carcasses lying within the Union. In either case, it is + very plain that it requires the action of Congress to enable them to form + a State government and send representatives to Congress. Nobody, I + believe, pretends that with their old constitutions and frames of + government they can be permitted to claim their old rights under the + Constitution. They have torn their constitutional States into atoms, and + built on their foundations fabrics of a totally different character. Dead + men cannot raise themselves. Dead States cannot restore their own + existence "as it was." Whose especial duty is it to do it? In whom does + the Constitution place the power? Not in the judicial branch of + Government, for it only adjudicates and does not prescribe laws. Not in + the Executive, for he only executes and cannot make laws. Not in the + Commander-in-Chief of the armies, for he can only hold them under military + rule until the sovereign legislative power of the conqueror shall give + them law. + </p> + <p> + There is fortunately no difficulty in solving the question. There are two + provisions in the Constitution, under one of which the case must fall. The + fourth article says: + </p> + <p> + "New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union." + </p> + <p> + In my judgment this is the controlling provision in this case. Unless the + law of nations is a dead letter, the late war between two acknowledged + belligerents severed their original compacts, and broke all the ties that + bound them together. The future condition of the conquered power depends + on the will of the conqueror. They must come in as new States or remain as + conquered provinces. Congress—the Senate and House of + Representatives, with the concurrence of the President—is the only + power that can act in the matter. But suppose, as some dreaming theorists + imagine, that these States have never been out of the Union, but have only + destroyed their State governments so as to be incapable of political + action; then the fourth section of the fourth article applies, which says: + </p> + <p> + "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a + republican form of government." + </p> + <p> + Who is the United States? Not the judiciary; not the President; but the + sovereign power of the people, exercised through their representatives in + Congress, with the concurrence of the Executive. It means the political + Government—the concurrent action of both branches of Congress and + the Executive. The separate action of each amounts to nothing, either in + admitting new States or guaranteeing republican governments to lapsed or + outlawed States. Whence springs the preposterous idea that either the + President, or the Senate, or the House of Representatives, acting + separately, can determine the right of States to send members or Senators + to the Congress of the Union? + </p> + <p> + To prove that they are and for four years have been out of the Union for + all legal purposes, and, being now conquered, subject to the absolute + disposal of Congress, I will suggest a few ideas and adduce a few + authorities. If the so-called "confederate States of America" were an + independent belligerent, and were so acknowledged by the United States and + by Europe, or had assumed and maintained an attitude which entitled them + to be considered and treated as a belligerent, then, during such time, + they were precisely in the condition of a foreign nation with whom we were + at war; nor need their independence as a nation be acknowledged by us to + produce that effect. + </p> + <p> + After such clear and repeated decisions it is something worse than + ridiculous to hear men of respectable standing attempting to nullify the + law of nations, and declare the Supreme Court of the United States in + error, because, as the Constitution forbids it, the States could not go + out of the Union in fact. A respectable gentleman was lately reciting this + argument, when he suddenly stopped and said, "Did you hear of that + atrocious murder committed in our town? A rebel deliberately murdered a + Government official." The person addressed said, "I think you are + mistaken." "How so? I saw it myself." "You are wrong, no murder was or + could be committed, for the law forbids it." + </p> + <p> + The theory that the rebel States, for four years a separate power and + without representation in Congress, were all the time here in the Union, + is a good deal less ingenious and respectable than the metaphysics of + Berkeley, which proved that neither the world nor any human being was in + existence. If this theory were simply ridiculous it could be forgiven; but + its effect is deeply injurious to the stability of the nation. I cannot + doubt that the late confederate States are out of the Union to all intents + and purposes for which the conqueror may choose so to consider them. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + But suppose these powerful but now subdued belligerents, instead of being + out of the Union, are merely destroyed, and are now lying about, a dead + corpse, or with animation so suspended as to be incapable of action, and + wholly unable to heal themselves by any unaided movements of their own. + Then they may fall under the provision of the Constitution, which says + "The United States shall guarantee to every State in the Union a + republican form of government." Under that power, can the judiciary, or + the President, or the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, or the Senate or + House of Representatives, acting separately, restore them to life and + readmit them into the Union? I insist that if each acted separately, + though the action of each was identical with all the others, it would + amount to nothing. Nothing but the joint action of the two Houses of + Congress and the concurrence of the President could do it. If the Senate + admitted their Senators, and the House their members, it would have no + effect on the future action of Congress. The Fortieth Congress might + reject both. Such is the ragged record of Congress for the last four + years. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Congress alone can do it. But Congress does not mean the Senate, or the + House of Representatives, and President, all acting severally. Their joint + action constitutes Congress. Hence a law of Congress must be passed before + any new State can be admitted, or any dead ones revived. Until then no + member can be lawfully admitted into either House. Hence it appears with + how little knowledge of constitutional law each branch is urged to admit + members separately from these destroyed States. The provision that "each + House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of + its own members," has not the most distant bearing on this question. + Congress must create States and declare when they are entitled to be + represented. Then each House must judge whether the members presenting + themselves from a recognized State possess the requisite qualifications of + age, residence, and citizenship; and whether the elections and returns are + according to law. The Houses, separately, can judge of nothing else. It + seems amazing that any man of legal education could give it any larger + meaning. + </p> + <p> + It is obvious from all this that the first duty of Congress is to pass a + law declaring the condition of these outside or defunct States, and + providing proper civil governments for them. Since the conquest they have + been governed by martial law. Military rule is necessarily despotic, and + ought not to exist longer than is absolutely necessary. As there are no + symptoms that the people of these provinces will be prepared to + participate in constitutional government for some years, I know of no + arrangement so proper for them as territorial governments. There they can + learn the principles of freedom and eat the fruit of foul rebellion. Under + such governments, while electing members to the territorial Legislatures, + they will necessarily mingle with those to whom Congress shall extend the + right of suffrage. In Territories, Congress fixes the qualifications of + electors; and I know of no better place nor better occasion for the + conquered rebels and the conqueror to practise justice to all men, and + accustom themselves to make and to obey equal laws. + </p> + <p> + And these fallen rebels cannot at their option reenter the heaven which + they have disturbed, the garden of Eden which they have deserted; as + flaming swords are set at the gates to secure their exclusion, it becomes + important to the welfare of the nation to inquire when the doors shall be + reopened for their admission. + </p> + <p> + According to my judgment they ought never to be recognized as capable of + acting in the Union, or of being counted as valid States, until the + Constitution shall have been so amended as to make it what its framers + intended, and so as to secure perpetual ascendency to the party of the + Union; and so as to render our republican Government firm and stable + forever. The first of those amendments is to change the basis of + representation among the States from Federal members to actual voters. + </p> + <p> + Now all the colored freemen in the slave States, and three fifths of the + slaves, are represented, though none of them have votes. The States have + nineteen representatives of colored slaves. If the slaves are now free + then they can add, for the other two fifths, thirteen more, making the + slaves represented thirty-two. I suppose the free blacks in those States + will give at least five more, making the representation of non-voting + people of color about thirty-seven. The whole number of representatives + now from the slave States is seventy. Add the other two fifths and it will + be eighty-three. + </p> + <p> + If the amendment prevails, and those States withhold the right of suffrage + from persons of color, it will deduct about thirty-seven, leaving them but + forty-six. With the basis unchanged, the eighty-three Southern members, + with the Democrats that will in the best times be elected from the North, + will always give them a majority in Congress and in the Electoral College. + They will at the very first election take possession of the White House + and the halls of Congress. I need not depict the ruin that would follow. + Assumption of the rebel debt or repudiation of the Federal debt would be + sure to follow. The oppression of the freedmen, there—amendment of + their State constitutions, and the reestablishment of slavery would be the + inevitable result. That they would scorn and disregard their present + constitutions, forced upon them in the midst of martial law, would be both + natural and just. No one who has any regard for freedom of elections can + look upon those governments, forced upon them in duress, with any favor. + If they should grant the right of suffrage to persons of color, I think + there would always be Union white men enough in the South, aided by the + blacks, to divide the representation, and thus continue the Republican + ascendency. If they should refuse to thus alter their election laws it + would reduce the representatives of the late slave States to about + forty-five and render them powerless for evil. + </p> + <p> + It is plain that this amendment must be consummated before the defunct + States are admitted to be capable of State action, or it never can be. + </p> + <p> + The proposed amendment to allow Congress to lay a duty on exports is + precisely in the same situation. Its importance cannot well be overstated. + It is very obvious that for many years the South will not pay much under + our internal revenue laws. The only article on which we can raise any + considerable amount is cotton. It will be grown largely at once. With ten + cents a pound export duty it would be furnished cheaper to foreign markets + than they could obtain it from any other part of the world. The late war + has shown that. Two million bales exported, at five hundred pounds to the + bale, would yield $100,000,000. This seems to me the chief revenue we + shall ever derive from the South. Besides, it would be a protection to + that amount to our domestic manufactures. Other proposed amendments—to + make all laws uniform; to prohibit the assumption of the rebel debt—are + of vital importance, and the only thing that can prevent the combined + forces of copperheads and secessionists from legislating against the + interests of the Union whenever they may obtain an accidental majority. + </p> + <p> + But this is not all that we ought to do before these inveterate rebels are + invited to participate in our legislation. We have turned, or are about to + turn, loose four million of slaves without a hut to shelter them, or a + cent in their pockets. The infernal laws of slavery have prevented them + from acquiring an education, understanding the commonest laws of contract, + or of managing the ordinary business of life. This Congress is bound to + provide for them until they can take care of themselves. If we do not + furnish them with homesteads, and hedge them around with protective laws; + if we leave them to the legislation of their late masters, we had better + have left them in bondage. Their condition would be worse than that of our + prisoners at Andersonville. If we fail in this great duty now, when we + have the power, we shall deserve and receive the execration of history and + of all future ages. + </p> + <p> + Two things are of vital importance. + </p> + <p> + 1. So to establish a principle that none of the rebel States shall be + counted in any of the amendments of the Constitution until they are duly + admitted into the family of States by the law-making power of their + conqueror. For more than six months the amendment of the Constitution + abolishing slavery has been ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths + of the States that acted on its passage by Congress, and which had + Legislatures, or which were States capable of acting, or required to act, + on the question. + </p> + <p> + I take no account of the aggregation of whitewashed rebels, who without + any legal authority have assembled in the capitals of the late rebel + States and simulated legislative bodies. Nor do I regard with any respect + the cunning by-play into which they deluded the Secretary of State by + frequent telegraphic announcements that "South Carolina had adopted the + amendment," "Alabama has adopted the amendment, being the twenty-seventh + State," etc. This was intended to delude the people, and accustom Congress + to hear repeated the names of these extinct States as if they were alive; + when, in truth, they have no more existence than the revolted cities of + Latium, two thirds of whose people were colonized and their property + confiscated, and their right of citizenship withdrawn by conquering and + avenging Rome. + </p> + <p> + 2. It is equally important to the stability of this Republic that it + should now be solemnly decided what power can revive, recreate, and + reinstate these provinces into the family of States, and invest them with + the rights of American citizens. It is time that Congress should assert + its sovereignty, and assume something of the dignity of a Roman senate. It + is fortunate that the President invites Congress to take this manly + attitude. After stating with great frankness in his able message his + theory, which, however, is found to be impracticable, and which I believe + very few now consider tenable, he refers the whole matter to the judgment + of Congress. If Congress should fail firmly and wisely to discharge that + high duty it is not the fault of the President. + </p> + <p> + This Congress owes it to its own character to set the seal of reprobation + upon a doctrine which is becoming too fashionable, and unless rebuked will + be the recognized principle of our Government. Governor Perry and other + provisional governors and orators proclaim that "this is the white man's + Government." The whole copperhead party, pandering to the lowest + prejudices of the ignorant, repeat the cuckoo cry, "This is the white + man's Government." Demagogues of all parties, even some high in authority, + gravely shout, "This is the white man's Government." What is implied by + this? That one race of men are to have the exclusive right forever to rule + this nation, and to exercise all acts of sovereignty, while all other + races and nations and colors are to be their subjects, and have no voice + in making the laws and choosing the rulers by whom they are to be + governed. Wherein does this differ from slavery except in degree? Does not + this contradict all the distinctive principles of the Declaration of + Independence? When the great and good men promulgated that instrument, and + pledged their lives and sacred honors to defend it, it was supposed to + form an epoch in civil government. Before that time it was held that the + right to rule was vested in families, dynasties, or races, not because of + superior intelligence of virtue, but because of a divine right to enjoy + exclusive privileges. + </p> + <p> + Our fathers repudiated the whole doctrine of the legal superiority of + families or races, and proclaimed the equality of men before the law. Upon + that they created a revolution and built the Republic. They were prevented + by slavery from perfecting the superstructure whose foundation they had + thus broadly laid. For the sake of the Union they consented to wait, but + never relinquished the idea of its final completion. The time to which + they looked forward with anxiety has come. It is our duty to complete + their work. If this Republic is not now made to stand on their great + principles, it has no honest foundation, and the Father of all men will + still shake it to its centre. If we have not yet been sufficiently + scourged for our national sin to teach us to do justice to all God's + creatures, without distinction of race or color, we must expect the still + more heavy vengeance of an offended Father, still increasing his + inflictions as he increased the severity of the plagues of Egypt until the + tyrant consented to do justice. And when that tyrant repented of his + reluctant consent, and attempted to re-enslave the people, as our southern + tyrants are attempting to do now, he filled the Red Sea with broken + chariots and drowned horses, and strewed the shores with dead carcasses. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Chairman, I trust the Republican party will not be alarmed at what I + am saying. I do not profess to speak their sentiments, nor must they be + held responsible for them. I speak for myself, and take the + responsibility, and will settle with my intelligent constituents. + </p> + <p> + This is not a "white man's Government," in the exclusive sense in which it + is used. To say so is political blasphemy, for it violates the fundamental + principles of our gospel of liberty. This is man's Government; the + Government of all men alike; not that all men will have equal power and + sway within it. Accidental circumstances, natural and acquired endowment + and ability, will vary their fortunes. But equal rights to all the + privileges of the Government is innate in every immortal being, no matter + what the shape or color of the tabernacle which it inhabits. + </p> + <p> + If equal privileges were granted to all, I should not expect any but white + men to be elected to office for long ages to come. The prejudice + engendered by slavery would not soon permit merit to be preferred to + color. But it would still be beneficial to the weaker races. In a country + where political divisions will always exist, their power, joined with just + white men, would greatly modify, if it did not entirely prevent, the + injustice of majorities. Without the right of suffrage in the late slave + States (I do not speak of the free States), I believe the slaves had far + better been left in bondage. I see it stated that very distinguished + advocates of the right of suffrage lately declared in this city that they + do not expect to obtain it by congressional legislation, but only by + administrative action, because, as one gallant gentleman said, the States + had not been out of the Union. Then they will never get it. The President + is far sounder than they. He sees that administrative action has nothing + to do with it. If it ever is to come, it must be by constitutional + amendments or congressional action in the Territories, and in enabling + acts. + </p> + <p> + How shameful that men of influence should mislead and miseducate the + public mind! They proclaim, "This is the white man's Government," and the + whole coil of copperheads echo the same sentiment, and upstart, jealous + Republicans join the cry. Is it any wonder ignorant foreigners and + illiterate natives should learn this doctrine, and be led to despise and + maltreat a whole race of their fellow-men? + </p> + <p> + Sir, this doctrine of a white man's Government is as atrocious as the + infamous sentiment that damned the late Chief-Justice to everlasting fame; + and, I fear, to everlasting fire. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HENRY J. RAYMOND, + </h2> + <h3> + OF NEW YORK. (BORN 1820, DIED 1869.) + </h3> + <p> + ON RECONSTRUCTION; CONSERVATIVE, OR ADMINISTRATION, REPUBLICAN OPINION; IN + THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DECEMBER 21, 1865. + </p> + <p> + I need not say that I have been gratified to hear many things which have + fallen from the lips of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Finck), who has just + taken his seat. I have no party feeling, nor any other feeling, which + would prevent me from rejoicing in the indications apparent on that side + of the House of a purpose to concur with the loyal people of the country, + and with the loyal administration of the Government, and with the loyal + majorities in both Houses of Congress, in restoring peace and order to our + common country. I cannot, perhaps, help wishing, sir, that these + indications of an interest in the preservation of our Government had come + somewhat sooner. I cannot help feeling that such expressions cannot now be + of as much service to the country as they might once have been. If we + could have had from that side of the House such indications of an interest + in the preservation of the Union, such heartfelt sympathy with the efforts + of the Government for the preservation of that Union, such hearty + denunciation of those who were seeking its destruction, while the war was + raging, I am sure we might have been spared some years of war, some + millions of money, and rivers of blood and tears. + </p> + <p> + But, sir, I am not disposed to fight over again battles now happily ended. + I feel, and I am rejoiced to find that members on the other side of the + House feel, that the great problem now before us is to restore the Union + to its old integrity, purified from everything that interfered with the + full development of the spirit of liberty which it was made to enshrine. I + trust that we shall have a general concurrence of the members of this + House and of this Congress in such measures as may be deemed most fit and + proper for the accomplishment of that result. I am glad to assume and to + believe that there is not a member of this House, nor a man in this + country, who does not wish, from the bottom of his heart, to see the day + speedily come when we shall have this nation—the great American + Republic—again united, more harmonious in its action than it ever + has been, and forever one and indivisible. We in this Congress are to + devise the means to restore its union and its harmony, to perfect its + institutions, and to make it in all its parts and in all its action, + through all time to come, too strong, too wise, and too free ever to + invite or ever to permit the hand of rebellion again to be raised against + it. + </p> + <p> + Now, sir, in devising those ways and means to accomplish that great + result, the first thing we have to do is to know the point from which we + start, to understand the nature of the material with which we have to work—the + condition of the territory and the States with which we are concerned. I + had supposed at the outset of this session that it was the purpose of this + House to proceed to that work without discussion, and to commit it almost + exclusively, if not entirely, to the joint committee raised by the two + Houses for the consideration of that subject. But, sir, I must say that I + was glad when I perceived the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania + (Mr. Stevens), himself the chairman on the part of this House of that + great committee on reconstruction, lead off in a discussion of this + general subject, and thus invite all the rest of us who choose to follow + him in the debate. In the remarks which he made in this body a few days + since, he laid down, with the clearness and the force which characterize + everything he says and does, his point of departure in commencing this + great work. I had hoped that the ground he would lay down would be such + that we could all of us stand upon it and co-operate with him in our + common object. I feel constrained to say, sir—and do it without the + slightest disposition to create or to exaggerate differences—that + there were features in his exposition of the condition of the country with + which I cannot concur. I cannot for myself start from precisely the point + which he assumes. + </p> + <p> + In his remarks on that occasion he assumed that the States lately in + rebellion were and are out of the Union. Throughout his speech—I + will not trouble you with reading passages from it—I find him + speaking of those States as "outside of the Union," as "dead States," as + having forfeited all their rights and terminated their State existence. I + find expressions still more definite and distinct; I find him stating that + they "are and for four years have been out of the Union for all legal + purposes"; as having been for four years a "separate power," and "a + separate nation." + </p> + <p> + His position therefore is that these States, having been in rebellion, are + now out of the Union, and are simply within the jurisdiction of the + Constitution of the United States as so much territory to be dealt with + precisely as the will of the conqueror, to use his own language, may + dictate. Now, sir, if that position is correct, it prescribes for us one + line of policy to be pursued very different from the one that will be + proper if it is not correct. His belief is that what we have to do is to + create new States out of this territory at the proper time—many + years distant—retaining them meantime in a territorial condition, + and subjecting them to precisely such a state of discipline and tutelage + as Congress or the Government of the United States may see fit to + prescribe. If I believed in the premises which he assumes, possibly, + though I do not think probably, I might agree with the conclusion he has + reached. + </p> + <p> + But, sir, I cannot believe that this is our condition. I cannot believe + that these States have ever been out of the Union, or that they are now + out of the Union. I cannot believe that they ever have been, or are now, + in any sense a separate Power. If they were, sir, how and when did they + become so? They were once States of this Union—that every one + concedes; bound to the Union and made members of the Union by the + Constitution of the United States. If they ever went out of the Union it + was at some specific time and by some specific act. I regret that the + gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Stevens) is not now in his seat. I should + have been glad to ask him by what specific act, and at what precise time, + any one of those States took itself out of the American Union. Was it by + the ordinance of secession? I think we all agree that an ordinance of + secession passed by any State of this Union is simply a nullity, because + it encounters in its practical operation the Constitution of the United + States, which is the supreme law of the land. It could have no legal, + actual force or validity. It could not operate to effect any actual change + in the relations of the State adopting it to the national Government, + still less to accomplish the removal of that State from the sovereign + jurisdiction of the Constitution of the United States. + </p> + <p> + Well, sir, did the resolutions of the States, the declarations of their + officials, the speeches of members of their Legislatures, or the + utterances of their press accomplish the result? Certainly not. They could + not possibly work any change whatever in the relations of these States to + the General Government. All their ordinances and all their resolutions + were simply declarations of a purpose to secede. Their secession, if it + ever took place, certainly could not date from the time when their + intention to secede was first announced. After declaring that intention, + they proceeded to carry it into effect. How? By war. By sustaining their + purpose by arms against the force which the United States brought to bear + against it. Did they sustain it? Were their arms victorious? If they were, + then their secession was an accomplished fact. If not, it was nothing more + than an abortive attempt—a purpose unfulfilled. This, then, is + simply a question of fact, and we all know what the fact is. They did not + succeed. They failed to maintain their ground by force of arms—in + other words, they failed to secede. + </p> + <p> + But the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Stevens) insists that they did + secede, and that this fact is not in the least affected by the other fact + that the Constitution forbids secession. He says that the law forbids + murder, but that murders are nevertheless committed. But there is no + analogy between the two cases. If secession had been accomplished, if + these States had gone out, and overcome the armies that tried to prevent + their going out, then the prohibition of the Constitution could not have + altered the fact. In the case of murder the man is killed, and murder is + thus committed in spite of the law. The fact of killing is essential to + the committal of the crime; and the fact of going out is essential to + secession. But in this case there was no such fact. I think I need not + argue any further the position that the rebel States have never for one + moment, by any ordinances of secession, or by any successful war, carried + themselves beyond the rightful jurisdiction of the Constitution of the + United States. They have interrupted for a time the practical enforcement + and exercise of that jurisdiction; they rendered it impossible for a time + for this Government to enforce obedience to its laws; but there has never + been an hour when this Government, or this Congress, or this House, or the + gentleman from Pennsylvania himself, ever conceded that those States were + beyond the jurisdiction of the Constitution and laws of the United States. + </p> + <p> + During all these four years of war Congress has been making laws for the + government of those very States, and the gentleman from Pennsylvania has + voted for them, and voted to raise armies to enforce them. Why was this + done if they were a separate nation? Why, if they were not part of the + United States? Those laws were made for them as States. Members have voted + for laws imposing upon them direct taxes, which are apportioned, according + to the Constitution, only "among the several States" according to their + population. In a variety of ways—to some of which the gentleman' who + preceded me has referred—this Congress has, by its action, assumed + and asserted that they were still States in the Union, though in + rebellion, and that it was with the rebellion that we were making war, and + not with the States themselves as States, and still less as a separate, as + a foreign Power. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Why, sir, if there be no constitution of any sort in a State, no law, + nothing but chaos, then that State would no longer exist as an + organization. But that has not been the case, it never is the case in + great communities, for they always have constitutions and forms of + government. It may not be a constitution or form of government adapted to + its relation to the Government of the United States; and that would be an + evil to be remedied by the Government of the United States. That is what + we have been trying to do for the last four years. The practical relations + of the governments of those States with the Government of the United + States were all wrong—were hostile to that Government. They denied + our jurisdiction, and they denied that they were States of the Union, but + their denial did not change the fact; and there was never any time when + their organizations as States were destroyed. A dead State is a solecism, + a contradiction in terms, an impossibility. + </p> + <p> + These are, I confess, rather metaphysical distinctions, but I did not + raise them. Those who assert that a State is destroyed whenever its + constitution is changed, or whenever its practical relations with this + Government are changed, must be held responsible for whatever metaphysical + niceties may be necessarily involved in the discussion. + </p> + <p> + I do not know, sir, that I have made my views on this point clear to the + gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelley), who has questioned me upon it, + and I am still more doubtful whether, even if they are intelligible, he + will concur with me as to their justice. But I regard these States as just + as truly within the jurisdiction of the Constitution, and therefore just + as really and truly States of the American Union now as they were before + the war. Their practical relations to the Constitution of the United + States have been disturbed, and we have been endeavoring, through four + years of war, to restore them and make them what they were before the war. + The victory in the field has given us the means of doing this; we can now + re-establish the practical relations of those States to the Government. + Our actual jurisdiction over them, which they vainly attempted to throw + off, is already restored. The conquest we have achieved is a conquest over + the rebellion, not a conquest over the States whose authority the + rebellion had for a time subverted. + </p> + <p> + For these reasons I think the views submitted by the gentleman from + Pennsylvania (Mr. Stevens) upon this point are unsound. Let me next cite + some of the consequences which, it seems to me, must follow the acceptance + of his position. If, as he asserts, we have been waging war with an + independent Power, with a separate nation, I cannot see how we can talk of + treason in connection with our recent conflict, or demand the execution of + Davis or anybody else as a traitor. Certainly if we were at war with any + other foreign Power we should not talk of the treason of those who were + opposed to us in the field. If we were engaged in a war with France and + should take as prisoner the Emperor Napoleon, certainly we would not talk + of him as a traitor or as liable to execution. I think that by adopting + any such assumption as that of the honorable gentleman, we surrender the + whole idea of treason and the punishment of traitors. I think, moreover, + that we accept, virtually and practically, the doctrine of State + sovereignty, the right of a State to withdraw from the Union, and to break + up the Union at its own will and pleasure. I do not see how upon those + premises we can escape that conclusion. If the States that engaged in the + late rebellion constituted themselves, by their ordinances of secession or + by any of the acts with which they followed those ordinances, a separate + and independent Power, I do not see how we can deny the principles on + which they professed to act, or refuse assent to their practical results. + I have heard no clearer, no stronger statement of the doctrine of State + sovereignty as paramount to the sovereignty of the nation than would be + involved in such a concession. Whether he intended it or not, the + gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Stevens) actually assents to the extreme + doctrines of the advocates of secession. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THADDEUS STEVENS, + </h2> + <h3> + OF PENNSYLVANIA. (BORN 1792, DIED 1868.) + </h3> + <p> + ON THE FIRST RECONSTRUCTION BILL; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JANUARY 3, + 1867 MR. SPEAKER: + </p> + <p> + What are the great questions which now divide the nation? In the midst of + the political Babel which has been produced by the intermingling of + secessionists, rebels, pardoned traitors, hissing Copperheads, and + apostate Republicans, such a confusion of tongues is heard that it is + difficult to understand either the questions that are asked or the answers + that are given. Ask what is the "President's policy," and it is difficult + to define it. Ask what is the "policy of Congress," and the answer is not + always at hand. A few moments may be profitably spent in seeking the + meaning of each of these terms. + </p> + <p> + In this country the whole sovereignty rests with the people, and is + exercised through their Representatives in Congress assembled. The + legislative power is the sole guardian of that sovereignty. No other + branch of the government, no other department, no other officer of the + government, possesses one single particle of the sovereignty of the + nation. No government official, from the President and Chief-Justice down, + can do any one act which is not prescribed and directed by the legislative + power. Suppose the government were now to be organized for the first time + under the Constitution, and the President had been elected, and the + judiciary appointed; what could either do until Congress passed laws to + regulate their proceedings? What power would the President have over any + one subject of government until Congress had legislated on that subject? * + * * The President could not even create bureaus or departments to + facilitate his executive operations. He must ask leave of Congress. Since, + then, the President cannot enact, alter, or modify a single law; cannot + even create a petty office within his own sphere of operations; if, in + short, he is the mere servant of the people, who issue their commands to + him through Congress, whence does he derive the constitutional power to + create new States, to remodel old ones, to dictate organic laws, to fix + the qualifications of voters, to declare that States are republican and + entitled to command Congress, to admit their Representatives? To my mind + it is either the most ignorant and shallow mistake of his duties, or the + most brazen and impudent usurpation of power. It is claimed for him by + some as commander-in-chief of the army and navy. How absurd that a mere + executive officer should claim creative powers. Though commander-in-chief + by the Constitution, he would have nothing to command, either by land or + water until Congress raised both army and navy. Congress also prescribes + the rules and regulations to govern the army; even that is not left to the + Commander-in-chief. + </p> + <p> + Though the President is commander-in-chief, Congress is his commander; + and, God willing, he shall obey. He and his minions shall learn that this + is not a government of kings and satraps, but a government of the people, + and that Congress is the people. * * * To reconstruct the nation, to admit + new States, to guarantee republican governments to old States, are all + legislative acts. The President claims the right to exercise them. + Congress denies it, and asserts the right to belong to the legislative + branch. They have determined to defend these rights against all usurpers. + They have determined that, while in their keeping, the Constitution shall + not be violated with impunity. This I take to be the great question + between the President and Congress. He claims the right to reconstruct by + his own power. Congress denies him all power in the matter except that of + advice, and has determined to maintain such denial. "My policy" asserts + full power in the Executive. The policy of Congress forbids him to + exercise any power therein. + </p> + <p> + Beyond this I do not agree that the "policy" of the parties is defined. To + be sure, many subordinate items of the policy of each may be easily + sketched. The President * * * desires that the traitors (having sternly + executed that most important leader Rickety Wirz, as a high example) + should be exempt from further fine, imprisonment, forfeiture, exile, or + capital punishment, and be declared entitled to all the rights of loyal + citizens. He desires that the States created by him shall be acknowledged + as valid States, while at the same time he inconsistently declares that + the old rebel States are in full existence, and always have been, and have + equal rights with the loyal States. He opposes the amendment to the + Constitution which changes the basis of representation, and desires the + old slave States to have the benefit of their increase of freemen without + increasing the number of votes; in short, he desires to make the vote of + one rebel in South Carolina equal to the votes of three freemen in + Pennsylvania or New York. He is determined to force a solid rebel + delegation into Congress from the South, which, together with Northern + Copperheads, could at once control Congress and elect all future + Presidents. + </p> + <p> + Congress refuses to treat the States created by him as of any validity, + and denies that the old rebel States have any existence which gives them + any rights under the Constitution. Congress insists on changing the basis + of representation so as to put white voters on an equality in both + sections, and that such change shall precede the admission of any State. * + * * Congress denies that any State lately in rebellion has any government + or constitution known to the Constitution of the United States, or which + can be recognized as a part of the Union. How, then, can such a State + adopt the (XIIIth) amendment? To allow it would be yielding the whole + question, and admitting the unimpaired rights of the seceded States. I + know of no Republican who does not ridicule what Mr. Seward thought a + cunning movement, in counting Virginia and other outlawed States among + those which had adopted the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. + </p> + <p> + It is to be regretted that inconsiderate and incautious Republicans should + ever have supposed that the slight amendments already proposed to the + Constitution, even when incorporated into that instrument, would satisfy + the reforms necessary for the security of the government. Unless the rebel + States, before admission, should be made republican in spirit, and placed + under the guardianship of loyal men, all our blood and treasure will have + been spent in vain. * * * + </p> + <p> + The law of last session with regard to Territories settled the principles + of such acts. Impartial suffrage, both in electing the delegates and in + ratifying their proceedings, is now the fixed rule. There is more reason + why colored voters should be admitted in the rebel States than in the + Territories. In the States they form the great mass of the loyal men. + Possibly, with their aid, loyal governments may be established in most of + those States. Without it all are sure to be ruled by traitors; and loyal + men, black or white, will be oppressed, exiled, or murdered. + </p> + <p> + There are several good reasons for the passage of this bill. In the first + place, it is just. I am now confining my argument to negro suffrage in the + rebel States. Have not loyal blacks quite as good a right to choose rulers + and make laws as rebel whites? In the second place, it is a necessity in + order to protect the loyal white men in the seceded States. With them the + blacks would act in a body; and it is believed then, in each of said + States, except one, the two united would form a majority, control the + States, and protect themselves. Now they are the victims of daily murder. + They must suffer constant persecution or be exiled. + </p> + <p> + Another good reason is that it would insure the ascendency of the Union + party. "Do you avow the party purpose?" exclaims some horror-stricken + demagogue. I do. For I believe, on my conscience, that on the continued + ascendency of that party depends the safety of this great nation. If + impartial suffrage is excluded in the rebel States, then every one of them + is sure to send a solid rebel representation to Congress, and cast a solid + rebel electoral vote. They, with their kindred Copperheads of the North, + would always elect the President and control Congress. While slavery sat + upon her defiant throne, and insulted and intimidated the trembling North, + the South frequently divided on questions of policy between Whigs and + Democrats, and gave victory alternately to the sections. Now, you must + divide them between loyalists, without regard to color, and disloyalists, + or you will be the perpetual vassals of the free-trade, irritated, + revengeful South. For these, among other reasons, I am for negro suffrage + in every rebel State. If it be just, it should not be denied; if it be + necessary, it should be adopted; if it be a punishment to traitors, they + deserve it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII.—FREE TRADE AND PROTECTION. + </h2> + <p> + THE periods into which this series has been divided will furnish, perhaps, + some key to the brief summary of tariff discussion in the United States + which follows. For it is not at all true that tariff discussion or + decision has been isolated; on the contrary, it has influenced, and been + influenced by, every other phase of the national development of the + country. + </p> + <p> + Bancroft has laid none too great stress on the influence of the English + mercantile system in forcing the American Revolution, and on the attitude + of the Revolution as an organized revolt against the English system. One + of the first steps by which the Continental Congress asserted its claim to + independent national action was the throwing open of American ports to the + commerce of all nations—that is, to free trade. It should, however, + be added that the extreme breadth of this liberality was due to the + inability of Congress to impose any duties on imports; it had a choice + only between absolute prohibition and absolute free trade, and it chose + the latter. The States were not so limited. Both under the revolutionary + Congress and under the Confederation they retained the entire duty power, + and they showed no fondness for free trade. Commerce in general was light, + and tariff receipts, even in the commercial States, were of no great + importance; but, wherever it was possible, commercial regulations were + framed in disregard of the free-trade principle. In order to retain the + trade in firewood and vegetables within her own borders, New York, in + 1787, even laid prohibitory duties on Connecticut and New Jersey boats; + and retaliatory measures were begun by the two States attacked. + </p> + <p> + The Constitution gave to Congress, and forbade to the States, the power to + regulate commerce. As soon as the Constitution came to be put into + operation, the manner and objects of the regulation of commerce by + Congress became a public question. Many other considerations were + complicated with it. It was necessary for the United States to obtain a + revenue, and this could most easily be done by a tariff of duties on + imports. It was necessary for the Federalist majority to consider the + party interests both in the agricultural States, which would object to + protective duties, and in the States which demanded them. But the highest + consideration in the mind of Hamilton and the most influential leaders of + the party seems to have been the maintenance of the Union. The repulsive + force of the States toward one another was still sufficiently strong to be + an element of constant and recognized danger to the Union. One method of + overcoming it, as a part of the whole Hamiltonian policy, was to foster + the growth of manufactures as an interest entirely independent of State + lines and dependent on the national government, which would throw its + whole influence for the maintenance of the Union. This feeling runs + through the speeches even of Madison, who prefaced his remarks by a + declaration in favor of "a trade as free as the policy of nations would + allow." Protection, therefore, began in the United States as an instrument + of national unity, without regard to national profit; and the argument in + its favor would have been quite as strong as ever to the mind of a + legislator who accepted every deduction as to the economic disadvantages + of protection. Arguments for its economic advantages are not wanting; but + they have no such form and consistency as those of subsequent periods. The + result of the discussion was the tariff act of July 4, 1789, whose + preamble stated one of its objects to be "the encouragement and protection + of manufactures." Its average duty, however, was but about 8.5 per cent. + It was followed by other acts, each increasing the rate of general duties, + until, at the outbreak of the War of 1812, the general rate was about 21 + per cent. The war added about 6 per cent, to this rate. + </p> + <p> + Growth toward democracy very commonly brings a curious bias toward + protection, contrasted with the fundamental free-trade argument that a + protective system and a system of slave labor have identical bases. The + bias toward a pronounced protective system in the United States makes its + appearance with the rise of democracy; and, after the War of 1812, is + complicated with party interests. New England was still the citadel of + Federalism. The war and its blockade had fostered manufactures in New + England; and the manufacturing interest, looking to the Democratic party + for protection, was a possible force to sap the foundations of the + citadel. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Treasury, prepared, and + Calhoun carried through Congress, the tariff of 1816. It introduced + several protective features, the "minimum" feature, by which the imported + article was assumed to have cost at least a certain amount in calculating + duties, and positive protection for cottons and woollens. The duties paid + under this tariff were about 30 per cent. on all imports, or 33 per cent. + on dutiable goods. In 1824 and 1828, under the lead of Clay, tariffs were + adopted which made the tariff of duties still higher and more + systematically protective; they touched high-water mark in 1830, being 40 + per cent. on all imports, or 48.8 per cent. on dutiable goods. The + influence of nullification in forcing through the compromise tariff of + 1833, with its regular decrease of duties for ten years, has been stated + in the first volume. + </p> + <p> + Under the workings of the compromise tariff there was a steady decrease in + the rate on all imports, but not in the rate on dutiable goods, the + comparison being 22 per cent. on total to 32 per cent. on dutiable for + 1833, and 16 per cent. on total to 32 per cent. on dutiable for 1841. The + conjunction of the increase in non-dutiable imports and the approach of + free trade, with general financial distress, gave the Whigs success in the + elections of 1840; and in 1841 they set about reviving protection. + Unluckily for them, their chosen President, Harrison, was dead, and his + successor, Tyler, a Democrat by nature, taken up for political reasons by + the Whigs, was deaf to Whig eloquence on the subject of the tariff. After + an unsuccessful effort to secure a high tariff and a distribution of the + surplus among the States, the semi-protective tariff of 1842 became law. + Its result for the next four years was that the rate on dutiable goods was + altered very little, while the rate on total imports rose from 16 per + cent. to 26 per cent. The return of the Democrats to power was marked by + the passage of the revenue tariff of 1846, which lasted, with a slight + further reduction of duties in 1857, until 1861. Under its operation the + rates steadily decreased until, in 1861, they were 18.14 per cent, on + dutiable goods, and 11.79 per cent. on total imports. + </p> + <p> + The platform of the Republican party in the election of 1856 made no + declaration for or against free trade or protection. The results of the + election showed that the electoral votes of Pennsylvania and Illinois + would have been sufficient to give the party a victory in 1856. Both party + policy and a natural regard to its strong Whig membership dictated a + return to the protective feature of the Whig policy. In March, 1860, Mr. + Morrill introduced a protective tariff bill in the House of + Representatives, and it passed that body; and, in June, the Republican + National Convention adopted, as one of its resolutions, a declaration in + favor of a protective system. The Democratic Senate postponed the Morrill + bill until the following session. When it came up again for consideration, + in February, 1861, conditions had changed very considerably. Seven States + had seceded, taking off fourteen Senators opposed to the bill; and it was + passed. It was signed by President Buchanan, March 2, 1861, and went into + operation April 1, raising the rates to about 20 per cent. In August and + in December, two other acts were passed, raising the rates still higher. + These were followed by other increases, which ran the maximum up, in 1868, + to 48 per cent. on dutiable goods, the highest rate from 1860 to date. It + may be noted, however, that the rate of 1830—48.8 per cent. on + dutiable goods—still retains its rank as the highest in our history. + </p> + <p> + The controlling necessity for ready money, to prevent the over-issue of + bonds and green-backs, undoubtedly gained votes in Congress sufficient to + sustain the policy of protection, as a means of putting the capital of the + country into positions where it could be easily reached by + internal-revenue taxation. This conjunction of internal revenue and + protection proved a mutual support until the payment of the war debt had + gone so far as to provoke the reaction. The Democratic National Convention + of 1876 attacked the tariff system as a masterpiece of iniquity, but no + distinct issue was made between the parties on this question. In 1880 and + 1884, the Republican party was the one to force the issue of protection or + free trade upon its opponent, but its opponent evaded it. + </p> + <p> + In 1884, both parties admit the necessity of a reduction in the rates of + duties, if for no other reason, in order to reduce the surplus of + Government receipts over expenditures, which is a constant stimulus to + congressional extravagance. The Republican policy is in general to retain + the principle of protection in the reduction; while the Democratic policy, + so far as it is defined, is to deal as tenderly as possible with interests + which have become vested under a protective system. What influence will be + exerted by the present over-production and depression in business cannot, + of course, be foretold; but the report of Mr. McCulloch, Secretary of the + Treasury, in December, 1884, indicates an attempt to induce manufacturers + to submit to an abandonment of protection, as a means of securing a + decrease in cost of production, and a consequent foreign market for + surplus product. + </p> + <p> + In taking Clay's speech in 1832 as the representative statement of the + argument for protection, the editor has consulted Professor Thompson, of + the University of Pennsylvania, and has been guided by his advice. On the + other side, the statement of Representative Hurd, in 1881, has been taken + as, on the whole, the best summary of the free-trade argument. In both + cases, the difficulty has been in the necessary exclusion of merely + written arguments. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HENRY CLAY, + </h2> + <h3> + OF KENTUCKY. (BORN 1777, DIED 1852.) + </h3> + <p> + ON THE AMERICAN SYSTEM; IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, FEBRUARY 2-6, 1832. + </p> + <p> + THE question which we are now called upon to determine, is not, whether we + shall establish a new and doubtful system of policy, just proposed, and + for the first time presented to our consideration, but whether we shall + break down and destroy a long-established system, carefully and patiently + built up and sanctioned, during a series of years, again and again, by the + nation and its highest and most revered authorities. And are we not bound + deliberately to consider whether we can proceed to this work of + destruction without a violation of the public faith? The people of the + United States have justly supposed that the policy of protecting their + industry against foreign legislation and foreign industry was fully + settled, not by a single act, but by repeated and deliberate acts of + government, performed at distant and frequent intervals. In full + confidence that the policy was firmly and unchangeably fixed, thousands + upon thousands have invested their capital, purchased a vast amount of + real and other estate, made permanent establishments, and accommodated + their industry. Can we expose to utter and irretrievable ruin this + countless multitude, without justly incurring the reproach of violating + the national faith? * * * + </p> + <p> + When gentlemen have succeeded in their design of an immediate or gradual + destruction of the American system, what is their substitute? Free trade! + The call for free trade is as unavailing, as the cry of a spoiled child in + its nurse's arms, for the moon, or the stars that glitter in the firmament + of heaven. It never has existed, it never will exist. Trade implies at + least two parties. To be free, it should be fair, equal, and reciprocal. + But if we throw our ports wide open to the admission of foreign + productions, free of all duty, what ports of any other foreign nation + shall we find open to the free admission of our surplus produce? We may + break down all barriers to free trade on our part, but the work will not + be complete until foreign powers shall have removed theirs. There would be + freedom on one side, and restrictions, prohibitions, and exclusions on the + other. The bolts and the bars and the chains of all other nations will + remain undisturbed. It is, indeed, possible, that our industry and + commerce would accommodate themselves to this unequal and unjust state of + things; for, such is the flexibility of our nature, that it bends itself + to all circumstances. The wretched prisoner incarcerated in a jail, after + a long time, becomes reconciled to his solitude, and regularly notches + down the passing days of his confinement. + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen deceive themselves. It is not free trade that they are + recommending to our acceptance. It is, in effect, the British colonial + system that we are invited to adopt; and, if their policy prevails, it + will lead substantially to the recolonization of these States, under the + commercial dominion of Great Britain. * * * + </p> + <p> + I dislike this resort to authority, and especially foreign and interested + authority, for the support of principles of public policy. I would greatly + prefer to meet gentlemen upon the broad ground of fact, of experience, and + of reason; but, since they will appeal to British names and authority, I + feel myself compelled to imitate their bad example. Allow me to quote from + the speech of a member of the British Parliament, bearing the same family + name with my Lord Goderich, but whether or not a relation of his, I do not + know. The member alluded to was arguing against the violation of the + treaty of Methuen—that treaty not less fatal to the interests of + Portugal than would be the system of gentlemen to the best interests of + America,—and he went on to say: + </p> + <p> + "It was idle for us to endeavor to persuade other nations to join with us + in adopting the principles of what was called 'free trade.' Other nations + knew, as well as the noble lord opposite, and those who acted with him, + what we meant by 'free trade' was nothing more nor less than, by means of + the great advantages we enjoyed, to get a monopoly of all their markets + for our manufactures, and to prevent them, one and all, from ever becoming + manufacturing nations. When the system of reciprocity and free trade had + been proposed to a French ambassador, his remark was, that the plan was + excellent in theory, but, to make it fair in practice, it would be + necessary to defer the attempt to put it in execution for half a century, + until France should be on the same footing with Great Britain, in marine, + in manufactures, in capital, and the many other peculiar advantages which + it now enjoyed. The policy that France acted on was that of encouraging + its native manufactures, and it was a wise policy; because, if it were + freely to admit our manufactures, it would speedily be reduced to the rank + of an agricultural nation, and therefore a poor nation, as all must be + that depend exclusively upon agriculture. America acted, too, upon the + same principle with France. America legislated for futurity—legislated + for an increasing population. America, too, was prospering under this + system. In twenty years, America would be independent of England for + manufactures altogether. * * * But since the peace, France, Germany, + America, and all the other countries of the world, had proceeded upon the + principle of encouraging and protecting native manufacturers." * * * + </p> + <p> + I regret, Mr. President, that one topic has, I think, unnecessarily been + introduced into this, debate. I allude to the charge brought against the + manufacturing system, as favoring the growth of aristocracy. If it were + true, would gentlemen prefer supporting foreign accumulations of wealth by + that description of industry, rather than in their own country? But is it + correct? The joint-stock companies of the North, as I understand them, are + nothing more than associations, sometimes of hundreds, by means of which + the small earnings of many are brought into a common stock, and the + associates, obtaining corporate privileges, are enabled to prosecute, + under one superintending head, their business to better advantage. Nothing + can be more essentially democratic or better devised to counterpoise the + influence of individual wealth. In Kentucky, almost every manufactory + known to me is in the hands of enterprising and self-made men, who have + acquired whatever wealth they possess by patient and diligent labor. + Comparisons are odious, and but in defence would not be made by me. But is + there more tendency to aristocracy in a manufactory, supporting hundreds + of freemen, or in a cotton plantation, with its not less numerous slaves, + sustaining perhaps only two white families—that of the master and + the overseer? + </p> + <p> + I pass, with pleasure, from this disagreeable topic, to two general + propositions which cover the entire ground of debate. The first is, that, + under the operation of the American system, the objects which it protects + and fosters are brought to the consumer at cheaper prices than they + commanded prior to its introduction, or, than they would command if it did + not exist. If that be true, ought not the country to be contented and + satisfied with the system, unless the second proposition, which I mean + presently also to consider, is unfounded? And that is, that the tendency + of the system is to sustain, and that it has upheld, the prices of all our + agricultural and other produce, including cotton. + </p> + <p> + And is the fact not indisputable that all essential objects of consumption + affected by the tariff are cheaper and better since the act of 1824 than + they were for several years prior to that law? I appeal for its truth to + common observation, and to all practical men. I appeal to the farmer of + the country whether he does not purchase on better terms his iron, salt, + brown sugar, cotton goods, and woollens, for his laboring people? And I + ask the cotton-planter if he has not been better and more cheaply supplied + with his cotton-bagging? In regard to this latter article, the gentleman + from South Carolina was mistaken in supposing that I complained that, + under the existing duty, the Kentucky manufacturer could not compete with + the Scotch. The Kentuckian furnishes a more substantial and a cheaper + article, and at a more uniform and regular price. But it was the frauds, + the violations of law, of which I did complain; not smuggling, in the + common sense of that practice, which has something bold, daring, and + enterprising in it, but mean, barefaced cheating, by fraudulent invoices + and false denominations. + </p> + <p> + I plant myself upon this fact, of cheapness and superiority, as upon + impregnable ground. Gentlemen may tax their ingenuity, and produce a + thousand speculative solutions of the fact, but the fact itself will + remain undisturbed. Let us look into some particulars. The total + consumption of bar-iron in the United States is supposed to be about + 146,000 tons, of which 112,866 tons are made within the country, and the + residue imported. The number of men employed in the manufacture is + estimated at 29,254, and the total number of persons subsisted by it at + 146,273. The measure of protection extended to this necessary article was + never fully adequate until the passage of the act of 1828; and what has + been the consequence? The annual increase of quantity since that period + has been in a ratio of near twenty-five per centum, and the wholesale + price of bar-iron in the Northern cities was, in 1828, $105 per ton; in + 1829, $100; in 1830, $90; and in 1831, from $85 to $75—constantly + diminishing. We import very little English iron, and that which we do is + very inferior, and only adapted to a few purposes. In instituting a + comparison between that inferior article and our superior iron, subjects + entirely different are compared. They are made by different processes. The + English cannot make iron of equal quality to ours at a less price than we + do. They have three classes, best-best, and best, and ordinary. It is the + latter which is imported. Of the whole amount imported there is only about + 4,000 tons of foreign iron that pays the high duty, the residue paying + only a duty of about thirty per centum, estimated on the prices of the + importation of 1829. Our iron ore is superior to that of Great Britain, + yielding often from sixty to eighty per centum, while theirs produces only + about twenty-five. This fact is so well known that I have heard of recent + exportations of iron ore to England. + </p> + <p> + It has been alleged that bar-iron, being a raw material, ought to be + admitted free, or with low duties, for the sake of the manufacturers + themselves. But I take this to be the true principle: that if our country + is producing a raw material of prime necessity, and with reasonable + protection can produce it in sufficient quantity to supply our wants, that + raw material ought to be protected, although it may be proper to protect + the article also out of which it is manufactured. The tailor will ask + protection for himself, but wishes it denied to the grower of wool and the + manufacturer of broadcloth. The cotton-planter enjoys protection for the + raw material, but does not desire it to be extended to the cotton + manufacturer. The ship-builder will ask protection for navigation, but + does not wish it extended to the essential articles which enter into the + construction of his ship. Each in his proper vocation solicits protection, + but would have it denied to all other interests which are supposed to come + into collision with his. + </p> + <p> + Now, the duty of the statesman is to elevate himself above these petty + conflicts; calmly to survey all the various interests, and deliberately to + proportion the measures of protection to each according to its nature and + the general wants of society. It is quite possible that, in the degree of + protection which has been afforded to the various workers in iron, there + may be some error committed, although I have lately read an argument of + much ability, proving that no injustice has really been done to them. If + there be, it ought to be remedied. + </p> + <p> + The next article to which I would call the attention of the Senate, is + that of cotton fabrics. The success of our manufacture of coarse cottons + is generally admitted. It is demonstrated by the fact that they meet the + cotton fabrics of other countries in foreign markets, and maintain a + successful competition with them. There has been a gradual increase of the + exports of this article, which is sent to Mexico and the South American + republics, to the Mediterranean, and even to Asia. * * * + </p> + <p> + I hold in my hand a statement, derived from the most authentic source, + showing that the identical description of cotton cloth, which sold in 1817 + at twenty-nine cents per yard, was sold in 1819 at twenty-one cents, in + 1821 at nine-teen and a half cents, in 1823 at seventeen cents, in 1825 at + fourteen and a half cents, in 1827 at thirteen cents, in 1829 at nine + cents, in 1830 at nine and a half cents, and in 1831 at from ten and a + half to eleven. Such is the wonderful effect of protection, competition, + and improvement in skill, combined. The year 1829 was one of some + suffering to this branch of industry, probably owing to the principle of + competition being pushed too far. Hence we observe a small rise of the + article of the next two years. The introduction of calico-printing into + the United States, constitutes an important era in our manufacturing + industry. It commenced about the year 1825, and has since made such + astonishing advances, that the whole quantity now annually printed is but + little short of forty millions of yards—about two thirds of our + whole consumption. * * * + </p> + <p> + In respect to woollens, every gentleman's own observation and experience + will enable him to judge of the great reduction of price which has taken + place in most of these articles since the tariff of 1824. It would have + been still greater, but for the high duty on raw material, imposed for the + particular benefit of the farming interest. But, without going into + particular details, I shall limit myself to inviting the attention of the + Senate to a single article of general and necessary use. The protection + given to flannels in 1828 was fully adequate. It has enabled the American + manufacturer to obtain complete possession of the American market; and + now, let us look at the effect. I have before me a statement from a highly + respectable mercantile house, showing the price of four descriptions of + flannels during six years. The average price of them, in 1826, was + thirty-eight and three quarter cents; in 1827, thirty-eight; in 1828 (the + year of the tariff), forty-six; in 1829, thirty-six; in 1830, + (notwithstanding the advance in the price of wool), thirty-two; and in + 1831, thirty-two and one quarter. These facts require no comments. I have + before me another statement of a practical and respectable man, well + versed in the flannel manufacture in America and England, demonstrating + that the cost of manufacture is precisely the same in both countries: and + that, although a yard of flannel which would sell in England at fifteen + cents would command here twenty-two, the difference of seven cents is the + exact difference between the cost in the two countries of the six ounces + of wool contained in a yard of flannel. + </p> + <p> + Brown sugar, during ten years, from 1792 to 1802, with a duty of one and a + half cents per pound, averaged fourteen cents per pound. The same article, + during ten years, from 1820 to 1830, with a duty of three cents, has + averaged only eight cents per pound. Nails, with a duty of five cents per + pound, are selling at six cents. Window-glass, eight by ten, prior to the + tariff of 1824, sold at twelve or thirteen dollars per hundred feet; it + now sells for three dollars and seventy-five cents. * * * + </p> + <p> + This brings me to consider what I apprehend to have been the most + efficient of all the causes in the reduction of the prices of manufactured + articles, and that is COMPETITION. By competition the total amount of the + supply is increased, and by increase of the supply a competition in the + sale ensues, and this enables the consumer to buy at lower rates. Of all + human powers operating on the affairs of mankind, none is greater than + that of competition. It is action and reaction. It operates between + individuals of the same nation, and between different nations. It + resembles the meeting of the mountain torrent, grooving, by its + precipitous motion, its own channel, and ocean's tide. Unopposed, it + sweeps every thing before it; but, counterpoised, the waters become calm, + safe, and regular. It is like the segments of a circle or an arch: taken + separately, each is nothing; but in their combination they produce + efficiency, symmetry, and perfection. By the American system this vast + power has been excited in America, and brought into being to act in + cooperation or collision with European industry. Europe acts within + itself, and with America; and America acts within itself, and with Europe. + The consequence is the reduction of prices in both hemispheres. Nor is it + fair to argue from the reduction of prices in Europe to her own presumed + skill and labor exclusively. We affect her prices, and she affects ours. + This must always be the case, at least in reference to any articles as to + which there is not a total non-intercourse; and if our industry, by + diminishing the demand for her supplies, should produce a diminution in + the price of those supplies, it would be very unfair to ascribe that + reduction to her ingenuity, instead of placing it to the credit of our own + skill and excited industry. + </p> + <p> + Practical men understand very well this state of the case, whether they do + or do not comprehend the causes which produce it. I have in my possession + a letter from a respectable merchant, well known to me, in which he says, + after complaining of the operation of the tariff of 1828, on the articles + to which it applies, some of which he had imported, and that his purchases + having been made in England before the passage of that tariff was known, + it produced such an effect upon the English market that the articles could + not be resold without loss, and he adds: "For it really appears that, when + additional duties are laid upon an article, it then becomes lower instead + of higher!" This would not probably happen where the supply of the foreign + article did not exceed the home demand, unless upon the supposition of the + increased duty having excited or stimulated the measure of the home + production. + </p> + <p> + The great law of price is determined by supply and demand. What affects + either affects the price. If the supply is increased, the demand remaining + the same, the price declines; if the demand is increased, the supply + remaining the same, the price advances; if both supply and demand are + undiminished, the price is stationary, and the price is influenced exactly + in proportion to the degree of disturbance to the demand or supply. It is, + therefore, a great error to suppose that an existing or new duty + necessarily becomes a component element to its exact amount of price. If + the proportions of demand and supply are varied by the duty, either in + augmenting the supply or diminishing the demand, or vice versa, the price + is affected to the extent of that variation. But the duty never becomes an + integral part of the price, except in the instances where the demand and + the supply remain after the duty is imposed precisely what they were + before, or the demand is increased, and the supply remains stationary. + </p> + <p> + Competition, therefore, wherever existing, whether at home or abroad, is + the parent cause of cheapness. If a high duty excites production at home, + and the quantity of the domestic article exceeds the amount which had been + previously imported, the price will fall. * * * + </p> + <p> + But it is argued that if, by the skill, experience, and perfection which + we have acquired in certain branches of manufacture, they can be made as + cheap as similar articles abroad, and enter fairly into competition with + them, why not repeal the duties as to those articles? And why should we? + Assuming the truth of the supposition, the foreign article would not be + introduced in the regular course of trade, but would remain excluded by + the possession of the home market, which the domestic article had + obtained. The repeal, therefore, would have no legitimate effect. But + might not the foreign article be imported in vast quantities, to glut our + markets, break down our establishments, and ultimately to enable the + foreigner to monopolize the supply of our consumption? America is the + greatest foreign market for European manufactures. It is that to which + European attention is constantly directed. If a great house becomes + bankrupt there, its storehouses are emptied, and the goods are shipped to + America, where, in consequence of our auctions, and our custom-house + credits, the greatest facilities are afforded in the sale of them. + Combinations among manufacturers might take place, or even the operations + of foreign governments might be directed to the destruction of our + establishments. A repeal, therefore, of one protecting duty, from some one + or all of these causes, would be followed by flooding the country with the + foreign fabric, surcharging the market, reducing the price, and a complete + prostration of our manufactories; after which the foreigner would + leisurely look about to indemnify himself in the increased prices which he + would be enabled to command by his monopoly of the supply of our + consumption. What American citizen, after the government had displayed + this vacillating policy, would be again tempted to place the smallest + confidence in the public faith, and adventure once more into this branch + of industry? + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen have allowed to the manufacturing portions of the community no + peace; they have been constantly threatened with the overthrow of the + American system. From the year 1820, if not from 1816, down to this time, + they have been held in a condition of constant alarm and insecurity. + Nothing is more prejudicial to the great interests of a nation than an + unsettled and varying policy. Although every appeal to the National + Legislature has been responded to in conformity with the wishes and + sentiments of the great majority of the people, measures of protection + have only been carried by such small majorities as to excite hopes on the + one hand, and fears on the other. Let the country breathe, let its vast + resources be developed, let its energies be fully put forth, let it have + tranquillity, and, my word for it, the degree of perfection in the arts + which it will exhibit will be greater than that which has been presented, + astonishing as our progress has been. Although some branches of our + manufactures might, and in foreign markets now do, fearlessly contend with + similar foreign fabrics, there are many others yet in their infancy, + struggling with the difficulties which encompass them. We should look at + the whole system, and recollect that time, when we contemplate the great + movements of a nation, is very different from the short period which is + allotted for the duration of individual life. The honorable gentleman from + South Carolina well and eloquently said, in 1824: "No great interest of + any country ever grew up in a day; no new branch of industry can become + firmly and profitably established but in a long course of years; every + thing, indeed, great or good, is matured by slow degrees; that which + attains a speedy maturity is of small value, and is destined to brief + existence. It is the order of Providence, that powers gradually developed, + shall alone attain permanency and perfection. Thus must it be with our + national institutions, and national character itself." + </p> + <p> + I feel most sensibly, Mr. President, how much I have trespassed upon the + Senate. My apology is a deep and deliberate conviction, that the great + cause under debate involves the prosperity and the destiny of the Union. + But the best requital I can make, for the friendly indulgence which has + been extended to me by the Senate, and for which I shall ever retain + sentiments of lasting gratitude, is to proceed with as little delay as + practicable, to the conclusion of a discourse which has not been more + tedious to the Senate than exhausting to me. I have now to consider the + remaining of the two propositions which I have already announced. That is + </p> + <p> + Second, that under the operation of the American system, the products of + our agriculture command a higher price than they would do without it, by + the creation of a home market, and by the augmentation of wealth produced + by manufacturing industry, which enlarges our powers of consumption both + of domestic and foreign articles. The importance of the home market is + among the established maxims which are universally recognized by all + writers and all men. However some may differ as to the relative advantages + of the foreign and the home market, none deny to the latter great value + and high consideration. It is nearer to us; beyond the control of foreign + legislation; and undisturbed by those vicissitudes to which all + inter-national intercourse is more or less exposed. The most stupid are + sensible of the benefit of a residence in the vicinity of a large + manufactory, or of a market-town, of a good road, or of a navigable + stream, which connects their farms with some great capital. If the + pursuits of all men were perfectly the same, although they would be in + possession of the greatest abundance of the particular products of their + industry, they might, at the same time, be in extreme want of other + necessary articles of human subsistence. The uniformity of the general + occupation would preclude all exchange, all commerce. It is only in the + diversity of the vocations of the members of a community that the means + can be found for those salutary exchanges which conduce to the general + prosperity. And the greater that diversity, the more extensive and the + more animating is the circle of exchange. Even if foreign markets were + freely and widely open to the reception of our agricultural produce, from + its bulky nature, and the distance of the interior, and the dangers of the + ocean, large portions of it could never profitably reach the foreign + market. But let us quit this field of theory, clear as it is, and look at + the practical operation of the system of protection, beginning with the + most valuable staple of our agriculture. + </p> + <p> + In considering this staple, the first circumstance that excites our + surprise is the rapidity with which the amount of it has annually + increased. Does not this fact, however, demonstrate that the cultivation + of it could not have been so very unprofitable? If the business were + ruinous, would more and more have annually engaged in it? The quantity in + 1816 was eighty-one millions of pounds; in 1826, two hundred and four + millions; and in 1830, near three hundred millions! The ground of greatest + surprise is that it has been able to sustain even its present price with + such an enormous augmentation of quantity. It could not have been done but + for the combined operation of three causes, by which the consumption of + cotton fabrics has been greatly extended in consequence of their reduced + prices: first, competition; second, the improvement of labor-saving + machinery; and thirdly, the low price of the raw material. The crop of + 1819, amounting to eighty-eight millions of pounds, produced twenty-one + millions of dollars; the crop of 1823, when the amount was swelled to one + hundred and seventy-four millions (almost double of that of 1819), + produced a less sum by more than half a million of dollars; and the crop + of 1824, amounting to thirty millions of pounds less than that of the + preceding year, produced a million and a half of dollars more. + </p> + <p> + If there be any foundation for the established law of price, supply, and + demand, ought not the fact of this great increase of the supply to account + satisfactorily for the alleged low price of cotton? * * * + </p> + <p> + Let us suppose that the home demand for cotton, which has been created by + the American system, should cease, and that the two hundred thousand bales + which the home market now absorbs were now thrown into the glutted markets + of foreign countries; would not the effect inevitably be to produce a + further and great reduction in the price of the article? If there be any + truth in the facts and principles which I have before stated and + endeavored to illustrate, it cannot be doubted that the existence of + American manufactures has tended to increase the demand and extend the + consumption of the raw material; and that, but for this increased demand, + the price of the article would have fallen possibly one half lower than it + now is. The error of the opposite argument is in assuming one thing, which + being denied, the whole fails—that is, it assumes that the whole + labor of the United States would be profitably employed without + manufactures. Now, the truth is that the system excites and creates labor, + and this labor creates wealth, and this new wealth communicates additional + ability to consume, which acts on all the objects contributing to human + comfort and enjoyment. The amount of cotton imported into the two ports of + Boston and Providence alone during the last year (and it was imported + exclusively for the home manufacture) was 109,517 bales. + </p> + <p> + On passing from that article to others of our agricultural productions, we + shall find not less gratifying facts. The total quantity of flour imported + into Boston, during the same year, was 284,504 barrels, and 3,955 half + barrels; of which, there were from Virginia, Georgetown, and Alexandria, + 114,222 barrels; of Indian corn, 681,131 bushels; of oats, 239,809 + bushels; of rye, about 50,000 bushels; and of shorts, 63,489 bushels; into + the port of Providence, 71,369 barrels of flour; 216,662 bushels of Indian + corn, and 7,772 bushels of rye. And there were discharged at the port of + Philadelphia, 420,353 bushels of Indian corn, 201,878 bushels of wheat, + and 110,557 bushels of rye and barley. There were slaughtered in Boston + during the same year, 1831, (the only Northern city from which I have + obtained returns,) 33,922 beef cattle; 15,400 calves; 84,453 sheep, and + 26,871 swine. It is confidently believed that there is not a less quantity + of Southern flour consumed at the North than eight hundred thousand + barrels, a greater amount, probably, than is shipped to all the foreign + markets of the world together. + </p> + <p> + What would be the condition of the farming country of the United States—of + all that portion which lies north, east, and west of James River, + including a large part of North Carolina—if a home market did not + exist for this immense amount of agricultural produce. Without that + market, where could it be sold? In foreign markets? If their restrictive + laws did not exist, their capacity would not enable them to purchase and + consume this vast addition to their present supplies, which must be thrown + in, or thrown away, but for the home market. But their laws exclude us + from their markets. I shall content myself by calling the attention of the + Senate to Great Britain only. The duties in the ports of the united + kingdom on bread-stuffs are prohibitory, except in times of dearth. On + rice, the duty is fifteen shillings sterling per hundred weight, being + more than one hundred per centum. On manufactured tobacco it is nine + shillings sterling per pound, or about two thousand per centum. On leaf + tobacco three shillings per pound, or one thousand two hundred per centum. + On lumber, and some other articles, they are from four hundred to fifteen + hundred per centum more than on similar articles imported from British + colonies. In the British West Indies the duty on beef, pork, hams, and + bacon, is twelve shillings sterling per hundred, more than one hundred per + centum on the first cost of beef and pork in the Western States. And yet + Great Britain is the power in whose behalf we are called upon to + legislate, so that we may enable her to purchase our cotton. Great + Britain, that thinks only of herself in her own legislation! When have we + experienced justice, much less favor, at her hands? When did she shape her + legislation with reference to the interests of any foreign power? She is a + great, opulent, and powerful nation; but haughty, arrogant, and + supercilious; not more separated from the rest of the world by the sea + that girts her island, than she is separated in feeling, sympathy, or + friendly consideration of their welfare. Gentlemen, in supposing it + impracticable that we should successfully compete with her in + manufactures, do injustice to the skill and enterprise of their own + country. Gallant as Great Britain undoubtedly is, we have gloriously + contended with her, man to man, gun to gun, ship to ship, fleet to fleet, + and army to army. And I have no doubt we are destined to achieve equal + success in the more useful, if not nobler, contest for superiority in the + arts of civil life. + </p> + <p> + I could extend and dwell on the long list of articles—the hemp, + iron, lead, coal, and other items—for which a demand is created in + the home market by the operation of the American system; but I should + exhaust the patience of the Senate. Where, where should we find a market + for all these articles, if it did not exist at home? What would be the + condition of the largest portion of our people, and of the territory, if + this home market were annihilated? How could they be supplied with objects + of prime necessity? What would not be the certain and inevitable decline + in the price of all these articles, but for the home market? And allow me, + Mr. President, to say, that of all the agricultural parts of the United + States which are benefited by the operation of this system, none are + equally so with those which border the Chesapeake Bay, the lower parts of + North Carolina, Virginia, and the two shores of Mary-land. Their + facilities of transportation, and proximity to the North, give them + decided advantages. + </p> + <p> + But if all this reasoning were totally fallacious; if the price of + manufactured articles were really higher, under the American system, than + without it, I should still argue that high or low prices were themselves + relative—relative to the ability to pay them. It is in vain to + tempt, to tantalize us with the lower prices of European fabrics than our + own, if we have nothing wherewith to purchase them. If, by the home + exchanges, we can be supplied with necessary, even if they are dearer and + worse, articles of American production than the foreign, it is better than + not to be supplied at all. And how would the large portion of our country, + which I have described, be supplied, but for the home exchanges? A poor + people, destitute of wealth or of exchangeable commodities, have nothing + to purchase foreign fabrics with. To them they are equally beyond their + reach, whether their cost be a dollar or a guinea. It is in this view of + the matter that Great Britain, by her vast wealth, her excited and + protected industry, is enabled to bear a burden of taxation, which, when + compared to that of other nations, appears enormous; but which, when her + immense riches are compared to theirs, is light and trivial. The gentleman + from South Carolina has drawn a lively and flattering picture of our + coasts, bays, rivers, and harbors; and he argues that these proclaimed the + design of Providence that we should be a commercial people. I agree with + him. We differ only as to the means. He would cherish the foreign, and + neglect the internal, trade. I would foster both. What is navigation + without ships, or ships without cargoes? By penetrating the bosoms of our + mountains, and extracting from them their precious treasures; by + cultivating the earth, and securing a home market for its rich and + abundant products; by employing the water power with which we are blessed; + by stimulating and protecting our native industry, in all its forms; we + shall but nourish and promote the prosperity of commerce, foreign and + domestic. + </p> + <p> + I have hitherto considered the question in reference only to a state of + peace; but who can tell when the storm of war shall again break forth? + Have we forgotten so soon the privations to which not merely our brave + soldiers and our gallant tars were subjected, but the whole community, + during the last war, for the want of absolute necessaries? To what an + enormous price they rose! And how inadequate the supply was, at any price! + The states-man who justly elevates his views will look behind as well as + forward, and at the existing state of things; and he will graduate the + policy which he recommends to all the probable exigencies which may arise + in the republic. Taking this comprehensive range, it would be easy to show + that the higher prices of peace, if prices were higher in peace, were more + than compensated by the lower prices of war, during which supplies of all + essential articles are indispensable to its vigorous, effectual, and + glorious prosecution. I conclude this part of the argument with the hope + that my humble exertions have not been altogether unsuccessful in showing: + </p> + <p> + First, that the policy which we have been considering ought to continue to + be regarded as the genuine American system. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, that the free-trade system, which is proposed as its substitute, + ought really to be considered as the British colonial system. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, that the American system is beneficial to all parts of the Union, + and absolutely necessary to much the larger portion. + </p> + <p> + Fourthly, that the price of the great staple of cotton, and of all our + chief productions of agriculture, has been sustained and upheld, and a + decline averted, by the protective system. + </p> + <p> + Fifthly, that if the foreign demand for cotton has been at all diminished, + the diminution has been more than compensated in the additional demand + created at home. + </p> + <p> + Sixthly, that the constant tendency of the system, by creating competition + among ourselves, and between American and European industry, reciprocally + acting upon each other, is to reduce prices of manufactured objects. + </p> + <p> + Seventhly, that, in point of fact, objects within the scope of the policy + of protection have greatly fallen in price. + </p> + <p> + Eighthly, that if, in a season of peace, these benefits are experienced, + in a season of war, when the foreign supply might be cut off, they would + be much more extensively felt. + </p> + <p> + Ninthly, and finally, that the substitution of the British colonial system + for the American system, without benefiting any section of the Union, by + subjecting us to a foreign legislation, regulated by foreign interests, + would lead to the prostration of our manufactories, general + impoverishment, and ultimate ruin. * * * The danger of our Union does not + lie on the side of persistence in the American system, but on that of its + abandonment. If, as I have supposed and believe, the inhabitants of all + north and east of James River, and all west of the mountains, including + Louisiana, are deeply interested in the preservation of that system, would + they be reconciled to its overthrow? Can it be expected that two thirds, + if not three fourths, of the people of the United States would consent to + the destruction of a policy, believed to be indispensably necessary to + their prosperity? When, too, the sacrifice is made at the instance of a + single interest, which they verily believe will not be promoted by it? In + estimating the degree of peril which may be incident to two opposite + courses of human policy, the statesman would be short-sighted who should + content himself with viewing only the evils, real or imaginary, which + belong to that course which is in practical operation. He should lift + himself up to the contemplation of those greater and more certain dangers + which might inevitably attend the adoption of the alternative course. What + would be the condition of this Union, if Pennsylvania and New York, those + mammoth members of our Confederacy, were firmly persuaded that their + industry was paralyzed, and their prosperity blighted, by the enforcement + of the British colonial system, under the delusive name of free trade? + They are now tranquil and happy and contented, conscious of their welfare, + and feeling a salutary and rapid circulation of the products of home + manufactures and home industry, throughout all their great arteries. But + let that be checked, let them feel that a foreign system is to + predominate, and the sources of their subsistence and comfort dried up; + let New England and the West, and the Middle States, all feel that they + too are the victims of a mistaken policy, and let these vast portions of + our country despair of any favorable change, and then indeed might we + tremble for the continuance and safety of this Union! + </p> + <p> + And need I remind you, sir, that this dereliction of the duty of + protecting our domestic industry, and abandonment of it to the fate of + foreign legislation, would be directly at war with leading considerations + which prompted the adoption of the present Constitution? The States + respectively surrendered to the general government the whole power of + laying imposts on foreign goods. They stripped themselves of all power to + protect their own manufactures by the most efficacious means of + encouragement—the imposition of duties on rival foreign fabrics. Did + they create that great trust, did they voluntarily subject themselves to + this self-restriction, that the power should remain in the Federal + government inactive, unexecuted, and lifeless? Mr. Madison, at the + commencement of the government, told you otherwise. In discussing at that + early period this very subject, he declared that a failure to exercise + this power would be a "fraud" upon the Northern States, to which may now + be added the Middle and Western States. + </p> + <p> + [Governor Miller asked to what expression of Mr. Madison's opinion Mr. + Clay referred; and Mr. Clay replied, his opinion, expressed in the House + of Representatives in 1789, as reported in Lloyd's Congressional Debates.] + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen are greatly deceived as to the hold which this system has in the + affections of the people of the United States. They represent that it is + the policy of New England, and that she is most benefited by it. If there + be any part of this Union which has been most steady, most unanimous, and + most determined in its support, it is Pennsylvania. Why is not that + powerful State attacked? Why pass her over, and aim the blow at New + England? New England came reluctantly into the policy. In 1824, a majority + of her delegation was opposed to it. From the largest State of New England + there was but a solitary vote in favor of the bill. That interesting + people can readily accommodate their industry to any policy, provided it + be settled. They supposed this was fixed, and they submitted to the + decrees of government. And the progress of public opinion has kept pace + with the developments of the benefits of the system. Now, all New England, + at least in this House (with the exception of one small still voice), is + in favor of the system. In 1824, all Maryland was against it; now the + majority is for it. Then, Louisiana, with one exception, was opposed to + it; now, without any exception, she is in favor of it. The march of public + sentiment is to the South. Virginia will be the next convert; and in less + than seven years, if there be no obstacles from political causes, or + prejudices industriously instilled, the majority of Eastern Virginia will + be, as the majority of Western Virginia now is, in favor of the American + system. North Carolina will follow later, but not less certainly. Eastern + Tennessee is now in favor of the system. And, finally, its doctrines will + pervade the whole Union, and the wonder will be, that they ever should + have been opposed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FRANK H. HURD, + </h2> + <h3> + OF OHIO. (BORN 1841, DIED 1896.) + </h3> + <p> + A TARIFF FOR REVENUE ONLY; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 18, 1881. + MR. CHAIRMAN: + </p> + <p> + At the very threshold it is proper to define the terms I shall use and + state the exact propositions I purpose to maintain. A tariff is a tax upon + imported goods. Like other taxes which are levied, it should be imposed + only to raise revenue for the government. It is true that incidental + protection to some industries will occur when the duty is placed upon + articles which may enter into competition with those of domestic + manufacture. I do not propose to discuss now how this incidental + protection shall be distributed. This will be a subsequent consideration + when the preliminary question has been settled as to what shall be the + nature of the tariff itself. The present tariff imposes duties upon nearly + four thousand articles, and was levied and is defended upon the ground + that American industries should be protected. Thus protection has been + made the object; revenue the incident. Indeed, in many cases the duty is + so high that no revenue whatever is raised for the government, and in + nearly all so high that much less revenue is collected than might be + realized. So true is this that, if the present tariff were changed so as + to make it thereby a revenue tariff, one fifth at least could be added to + the receipts of the Treasury from imports. Whenever I use the phrase free + trade or free trader, I mean either a tariff for revenue only or one who + advocates it. + </p> + <p> + So far as a tariff for revenue is concerned, I do not oppose it, even + though it may contain some objectionable incidental protection. The + necessities of the government require large revenues, and it is not + proposed to interfere with a tariff so long as it is levied to produce + them; but, to a tariff levied for protection in itself and for its own + sake, I do object. I therefore oppose the present tariff, and the whole + doctrine by which it is attempted to be justified. I make war against all + its protective features, and insist that the laws which contain them shall + be amended, so that out of the importations upon which the duty is levied + the greatest possible revenue for the government may be obtained. + </p> + <p> + What, then, is the theory of protection? It is based upon the idea that + foreign produce imported into this country will enter into competition + with domestic products and undersell them in the home market, thus + crippling if not destroying domestic production. To prevent this, the + price of the foreign goods in the home market is increased so as to keep + them out of the country altogether, or to place the foreigner, in the cost + of production, upon the same footing as the American producer. This is + proposed to be done by levying a duty upon the foreign importation. If it + be so high that the importer cannot pay it and sell the goods at a profit, + the facilities of production between this and other countries are said to + be equalized, and the American producer is said to be protected. It will + be seen, therefore, that protection means the increase of price. Without + it the fabric has no foundation on which to rest. If the foreign goods are + still imported, the importer adds the duty paid to the selling price. If + he cannot import with profit, the American producer raises his price to a + point always below that at which the foreign goods could be profitably + brought into the country, and controls the market. In either event, there + is an increase of price of the products sought to be protected. The bald + proposition therefore is that American industries can and ought to be + protected by increasing the prices of the products of such industries. + </p> + <p> + There are three popular opinions, industriously cultivated and + strengthened by adroit advocates, upon which the whole system rests, and + to which appeals are ever confidently made. These opinions are erroneous, + and lead to false conclusions, and should be first considered in every + discussion of this question. + </p> + <p> + The first is, that the balance of trade is in our favor when our + exportations exceed our importations. Upon this theory it is argued that + it cannot be unwise to put restrictions upon importations, for they say + that at one and the same time you give protection to our industries and + keep the balance of trade in our favor. But the slightest investigation + will show that this proposition cannot be maintained. A single + illustration, often repeated, but never old in this discussion, will + demonstrate it. Let a ship set sail from Portland, Maine, with a cargo of + staves registered at the port of departure as worth $5,000. They are + carried to the West India Islands, where staves are in demand, and + exchanged for sugar or molasses. The ship returns, and after duty paid the + owner sells his sugar and molasses at a profit of $5,000. Here more has + been imported than exported. Upon this transaction the protectionist would + say that the balance of trade was against us $5,000; the free trader says + that the sum represents the profit to the shipper upon his traffic, and + the true balance in our favor. + </p> + <p> + Suppose that after it has set sail the vessel with its cargo had been + lost. In such case five thousand dollars' worth of goods would have been + exported, with no importation against it. The exportation has exceeded the + importation that sum. Is not the balance of trade, according to the + protection theory, to that amount in our favor? Then let the protectionist + turn pirate and scuttle and sink all the vessels laden with our exports, + and soon the balance of trade in our favor will be large enough to satisfy + even most advocates of the American protective system. The true theory is + that in commerce the overplus of the importation above the exportation + represents the profit accruing to the country. This overplus, deducting + the expenses, is real wealth added to the land. Push the two theories to + their last position and the true one will be clearly seen. Export every + thing, import nothing, though the balance of trade may be said to be + overwhelmingly in our favor, there is poverty, scarcity, death. Import + every thing, export nothing, we then will have in addition to our own all + the wealth of the world in our possession. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, it is said that a nation should be independent of foreign + nations, lest in time of war it might find itself helpless or defenceless. + Free trade, it is charged, makes a people dependent upon foreigners. But + traffic is exchange. Foreign products do not come into a country unless + domestic products go out. This dependence, therefore, is mutual. By trade + with foreign nations they are as dependent upon us as we upon them, and in + the event of a disturbance of peace the nation with which we would be at + war would lose just as much as we would lose, and both as to the war would + in that regard stand upon terms of equality. It must not be forgotten that + the obstruction of trade between nations is one of the greatest occasions + of war. It frequently gives rise to misunderstandings which result in + serious conflicts. By removing these obstacles and making trade as free as + possible, nations are brought closer together, the interests of their + people become intermingled, business associations are formed between them, + which go far to keep down national dispute, and prevent the wars in which + the dependent nation is said to be so helpless. Japan and China have for + centuries practised the protective theory of independence of foreigners, + and yet, in a war with other nations, they would be the most helpless + people in the world. That nation is the most independent which knows most + of, and trades most with, the world, and by such knowledge and trade is + able to avail itself of the products of the skill, intellect, and genius + of all the nations of the earth. + </p> + <p> + A third erroneous impression sought to be made upon the public mind is + that whatever increases the amount of labor in a country is a benefit to + it. Protection, it is argued, will increase the amount of labor, and + therefore will increase a country's prosperity. The error in this + proposition lies in mistaking the true nature of labor. It regards it as + the end, not as the means to an end. Men do not labor merely for the sake + of labor, but that out of its products they may derive support and comfort + for themselves and those dependent upon them. The result, therefore, does + not depend upon the amount of labor done, but upon the value of the + product. That country, therefore, is the most prosperous which enables the + laborer to obtain the greatest possible value for the product of his toil, + not that which imposes the greatest labor upon him. If this were not the + case men were better off before the appliances of steam as motive power + were discovered, or railroads were built, or the telegraph was invented. + The man who invents a labor-saving machine is a public enemy; and he would + be a public benefactor who would restore the good old times when the + farmer never had a leisure day, and the sun never set on the toil of the + mechanic. No, Mr. Chairman, it is the desire of every laborer to get the + maximum of result from the minimum of effort. That system, therefore, can + be of no advantage to him which, while it gives him employment, robs him + of its fruits. This, it will be seen, protection does, while free trade, + giving him unrestricted control of the product of his labor, enables him + to get the fullest value for it in markets of his own selection. + </p> + <p> + The protectionist, relying upon the propositions I have thus hurriedly + discussed, urges many specious reasons for his system, to a few of which + only do I intend to call attention to-day. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, it is urged that protection will develop the resources + of a country, which without it would remain undeveloped. Of course this, + to be of advantage to a country, must be a general aggregate increase of + development, for if it be an increase of some resources as a result of + diminution in others, the people as a whole can be no better off after + protection than before. But the general resources cannot be increased by a + tariff. There can only be such an increase by an addition to the + disposable capital of the country to be applied to the development of + resources. But legislation cannot make this. If it could it would only be + necessary to enact laws indefinitely to increase capital indefinitely. + But, if any legislation could accomplish this, it would not be protective + legislation. As already shown, the theory of protection is to make prices + higher, in order to make business profitable. This necessarily increases + the expense of production, which keeps foreign capital away, because it + can be employed in the protected industries more profit-ably elsewhere. + The domestic capital, therefore, must be relied upon for the proposed + development. As legislation cannot increase that capital, if it be tempted + by the higher prices to the business protected, it must be taken from some + other business or investment. If there are more workers in factories there + will be fewer artisans. If there are more workers in shops there will be + fewer farmers. If there are more in the towns there will be fewer in the + country. The only effect of protection, therefore, in this point of view, + can be to take capital from some employment to put it into another, that + the aggregate disposable capital cannot be increased, nor the aggregate + development of the resources of a country be greater with a tariff than + without. + </p> + <p> + But, secondly, it is said that protection increases the number of + industries, thereby diversifying labor and making a variety in the + occupations of a people who otherwise might be confined to a single branch + of employment. This argument proceeds upon the assumption that there would + be no diversification of labor without protection. In other words, it is + assumed that but for protection our people would devote themselves to + agriculture. This, however, is not true. Even if a community were purely + agricultural, the necessities of the situation would make diversification + of industry. There must be blacksmiths, and shoemakers, and millers, and + merchants, and carpenters, and other artisans. To each one of these + employments, as population increases, more and more will devote + themselves, and with each year new demands will spring up, which will + create new industries to supply them. I was born in the midst of a + splendid farming country. The business of nine tenths of the people of my + native county was farming. My intelligent boyhood was spent there from + 1850 to 1860, when there was no tariff for protection. There were thriving + towns for the general trading. There were woollen mills and operatives. + There were flouring mills and millers. There were iron founders and their + employes. There were artisans of every description. There were grocers and + merchants, with every variety of goods and wares for sale; there were + banks and bankers; there was all the diversification of industry that a + thriving, industrious, and intelligent community required; not established + by protection nor by government aid, but growing naturally out of the + wants and necessities of the people. Such a diversification is always + healthful, because it is natural, and will continue so long as the people + are industrious and thrifty. The diversification which protection makes is + forced and artificial. Suppose protection had come to my native county to + further diversify industries. It would have begun by giving higher prices + to some industry already established, or profits greater than the average + rate to some new industry which it would have started. This would have + disturbed the natural order. It would necessarily have embarrassed some + interests to help the protected ones. The loss in the most favorable view + would have been equal to the gain, and besides trade would inevitably have + been annoyed by the obstruction of its natural channels. + </p> + <p> + The worst feature of this kind of diversified industry is that the + protected ones never willingly give up the government aid. They scare at + competition as a child at a ghost. As soon as the markets seem against + them, they rush to Congress for further help. They are never content with + the protection they have; they are always eager for more. In this + dependence upon the government bounty the persons protected learn to + distrust themselves; and protection therefore inevitably destroys that + manly, sturdy spirit of individuality and independence which should + characterize the successful American business man. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, it is said that protection gives increased employment to labor + and enhances the wages of workingmen. For a long time no position was more + strenuously insisted upon by the advocates of the protective system than + that the wages of labor would be increased under it. At this point in the + discussion I shall only undertake to show that it is impossible that + protection should produce this result. What determines the amount of wages + paid? Some maintain that it is the amount of the wage fund existing at the + time that the labor is done. Under this theory it is claimed that, at any + given time, there is a certain amount of capital to be applied to the + payment of wages, as certain and fixed as though its amount had been + determined in advance. Others maintain that the amount of wages is fixed + by what the laborer makes, or, in other words, by the product of his work, + and that, therefore, his wage is determined by the efficiency of his labor + alone. Both these views are partly true. The wages of the laborer are + undoubtedly determined by the efficiency of his work, but the aggregate + amount paid for labor cannot exceed the amount properly chargeable to the + wage fund without in a little time diminishing the profits of production + and ultimately the quantity of labor employed.' + </p> + <p> + But, whichever theory be true, it is clear that protection can add nothing + to the amount of wages. It cannot increase the amount of capital + applicable to the payment of wages, unless it can be shown that the + aggregate capital of a country can be increased by legislation; nor can it + add to the efficiency of labor, for that depends upon individual effort + exclusively. A man who makes little in a day now may in a year make much + more in the same time; his labor has become more efficient. Whether this + shalt be done depends on the taste, temperament, application, aptitude, + and skill of the individual. No one will pretend that protection can + increase the aggregate of these qualities in the labor of the country. The + result is that it is impossible for protection, either by adding to the + wage fund or by increasing the efficiency of labor, to enhance the wages + of laboring men, a theory which I shall shortly show is incontrovertibly + established by the facts. + </p> + <p> + I will now, Mr. Chairman, briefly present a few of the principal + objections to a tariff for protection. As has been shown, the basis of + protection is an increase in the price of the protected products. Who pays + this increased price? I shall not stop now to consider the argument often + urged that it is paid by the foreign producer, because it can be easily + shown to the contrary by every one's experience. I shall for this argument + assume it as demonstrated that the increase of price which protection + makes is paid by the consumer. This suggests the first great objection to + protection, that it compels the consumer to pay more for goods than they + are really worth, ostensibly to help the business of a producer. Now + consumers constitute the vast majority of the people. The producers of + protected articles are few in comparison with them. It is true that most + men are both producers and consumers. But, for the great majority, there + is little or no protection for what they produce, but large protection for + what they consume. The tariff is principally levied upon woollen goods, + lumber, furniture, stoves and other manufactured articles of iron, and + upon sugar and salt. The necessities of life are weighted with the burden. + It is out of the necessities of the people, therefore, that the money is + realized to support the protective system. I say, Mr. Chairman, that it is + beyond the sphere of true governmental power to tax one man to help the + business of another. It is, by power, taking money from one to give it to + another. This is robbery, nothing more nor less. When a man earns a dollar + it is his own; and no power of reasoning can justify the legislative power + in taking it from him except for the uses of the government. + </p> + <p> + Yet, Mr. Chairman, the present tariff takes hundreds of millions of + dollars every year from the farmer, the laborer, and other consumers, + under the claim of enriching the manufacturer. It may not be much for each + one to contribute, yet in the aggregate it is an enormous sum. For many, + too, it is very much. The statistics will show that every head of a family + who receives four hundred dollars a year in wages pays at least one + hundred dollars on account of protection. Put such a tax on all incomes + and the country would be in a ferment of excitement until it was removed. + But it is upon the poor and lowly that the tax is placed, and their voices + are not often heard in shaping the policies of tariff legislation. I + repeat, the product of one's labor is his own. It is his highest right, + subject only to the necessities of the government, to do with it as he + pleases. Protection invades, destroys that right. It ought to be + destroyed, until every American freeman can spend his money where it will + be of the most service to him. + </p> + <p> + To illustrate the cost of protection to the consumer, consider its + operation in increasing the price of two or three of the leading articles + protected. Take paper for example. The duty on that commodity is twenty + per cent. ad valorem. Most of the articles which enter into its + manufacture or are required in the process of making it are increased in + price by protection. The result is that the price of paper to the consumer + is increased nearly fifteen per cent.; that is, if the tariff were taken + off paper and the articles used in its manufacture, paper would be fifteen + per cent. cheaper to the buyer. The paper-mills for five years have + produced nearly one hundred millions of dollars' worth of paper a year. + The consumers have been compelled to pay fifteen millions a year to the + manufacturer more than the paper could have been bought for without the + tariff. In five years this has amounted to $75,000,000, an immense sum + paid to protection. It is a tax upon books and newspapers; it is a tax + upon intelligence; it is a premium upon ignorance. So heavy had the burden + of this tax become that every newspaper man in the district I have the + honor to represent has appealed to Congress to take the duty off. The + government has derived little revenue from the paper duty. It has gone + almost entirely to the manufacturer, who himself has not been benefited as + anticipated, as will presently be seen. These burdens have been imposed to + protect the paper manufacturer against the foreigner, in face of the + confident prediction made by one of the most experienced paper men in the + country, that if all protection were taken off paper and the material used + in its manufacture, the manufacturer would be able to successfully compete + with the foreigner in nearly every desirable market in the world. + </p> + <p> + Take blankets also for example. The tariff on coarse blankets is nearly + one hundred per cent. ad valorem. They can be bought in most of the + markets of the world for two dollars a pair. Yet our poor, who use the + most of that grade of blankets, are compelled to pay about four dollars a + pair. The government derives little revenue from it, as the importation of + these blankets for years has been trifling. This tax has been a heavy + burden upon the poor during this severe winter, a tax running into the + millions to support protection. Heaven save a country from a system which + begrudges to the shivering poor the blankets to make them comfortable in + the winter and the cold! + </p> + <p> + Secondly, protection has diminished the income of the laborer from his + wages. The first factor in the ascertainment of the value of wages is + their purchasing power, or how much can be bought with them. If in one + country the wages are five dollars a day and in another only one dollar, + if the laborer can in the one country with the one dollar, purchase more + of the necessary articles required in daily consumption, he, in fact, is + better paid than the former in the other who gets five dollars a day. + Admit for a moment that protection raises the wages of the laborer, it + also raises the price of nearly all the necessaries of life, and what he + makes in wages he more than loses in the increase of prices of what he is + obliged to buy. As already stated, a head of a family who earns $400 per + year is compelled to pay $100 more for what he needs, on account of + protection. What difference is it to him whether the $100 are taken out of + his wages before they are paid, or taken from him afterward in the + increased price of articles he cannot get along without? In both cases he + really receives only $300 for his year's labor. The statistics show that + the average increased cost of twelve articles most required in daily + consumption in 1874 over 1860 was ninety-two per cent., while the average + increase of wages of eight artisans, cabinet-makers, coopers, carpenters, + painters, shoemakers, tail-ors, tanners, and tinsmiths, was only sixty per + cent., demonstrating that the purchasing power of labor had under + protection in thirteen years depreciated 19.5 per cent. But protection has + not even raised the nominal wages in most of the unprotected industries. I + find that the wages of the farm hand, the day laborer, and the ordinary + artisan are in most places now no higher than they were in 1860. + </p> + <p> + But it is confidently asserted that the wages of laborers in the protected + industries are higher because of protection. Admit it. I have not the + figures for 1880, but in 1870 there were not 500,000 of them; but of the + laborers in other industries there were 12,000,000, exclusive of those in + agriculture, who were 6,000,000 more. Why should the wages of the half + million be increased beyond their natural rate, while those of the others + remain unchanged? More—why should the wages of the 18,000,000 be + diminished that those of the half million may be increased? For an + increase cannot be made in the wage rate of one class without a + proportionate decrease in that of others. But the wages of labor in + protected industries are not permanently increased by protection. Another + very important factor in ascertaining the value of wages is the + continuance or the steadiness of the employment. Two dollars a day for + half the year is no more than a dollar a day for the whole year. + Employment in most protected industries is spasmodic. In the leading + industries for the past ten years employment has not averaged more than + three fourths of the time, and not at very high wages. Within the last + year manufacturers of silk, carpets, nails and many other articles of + iron, of various kinds of glassware and furniture, and coal producers have + shut down their works for a part of the time, or reduced the hours of + labor. Production has been too great. To stop this and prevent the + reduction of profits through increasing competition, the first thing done + is to diminish the production, thus turning employes out of employment. + Wages are diminished or stopped until times are flush again. With the time + estimated in which the laborers are not at work, the average rate of wages + for the ten years preceding 1880 did not equal the wages in similar + industries for the ten years preceding 1860 under a revenue tariff. + Indeed, in many branches the wages have not been so high as those received + by the pauper labor, so-called, in Europe. But it is manifest that the + wages in these industries cannot for any long period be higher than the + average rate in the community, for, if the wages be higher, labor will + crowd into the employments thus favored until the rate is brought down to + the general level. So true is this, that it is admitted by many + protectionists that wages are not higher in the protected industries than + in others. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, the effect of protection is disastrous to most of the protected + industries themselves. We have seen that many of them have in recent years + been compelled to diminish production. The cause of this is manifest. + Production confines them to the American market. The high prices they are + compelled to pay for protected materials which enter into the manufacture + of their products disable them from going into the foreign market. The + profits which they make under the first impulse of protection invite + others into the same business. As a result, therefore, more goods are made + than the American market can consume. Prices go down to some extent + through the competition, but rarely under the cost of production, + increased, as we have seen, by the enhanced price of material required. + The losses threatened by such competition are sought to be averted by the + diminution of production. Combinations of those interested are formed to + stop work or reduce it until the stock on hand has been consumed. + Production then begins again and continues until the same necessity calls + again for the same remedy. But this remedy is arbitrary, capricious, and + unsatisfactory. Some will not enter into the combination at all. Others + will secretly violate the agreement from the beginning. Others still, when + their surplus stock has been sold, and before the general price has risen, + will begin to manufacture again. There is no power to enforce any bargain + they have made, and they find the plan only imperfectly curing the + difficulty. They remain uncertain what to do, embarrassed and doubtful as + to the future. They have through protection violated the natural laws of + supply and demand, and human regulations are powerless to relieve them + from the penalty. + </p> + <p> + Take, as an illustration of the operation of the system, the article of + paper. One of the first effects of the general tariff was to increase the + price of nearly every thing the manufacturer required to make the paper. + Fifteen mil-lions of dollars a year through the protection are taken from + the consumer. The manufacturer himself is able to retain but a small part + of it, as he is obliged to pay to some other protected industry for its + products, they in turn to some others who furnished them with protected + articles for their use, and so on to the end. The result is that nominal + prices are raised all around; the consumers pay the fifteen millions, + while nobody receives any substantial benefit, because what one makes in + the increased price of his product he loses in the increased price he is + obliged to pay for the required products of others. The consumer is the + loser, and though competition may occasionally reduce prices for him to a + reasonable rate, it never to any appreciable extent compensates him for + the losses he sustains through the enhanced price which the protective + system inevitably causes. + </p> + <p> + It is not to be disputed that many of the protected manufacturers have + grown rich. In very many cases I think it can be demonstrated that their + wealth has resulted from some patent which has given them a monopoly in + particular branches of manufacturing, or from some other advantage which + they have employed exclusively in their business. In such cases they would + have prospered without protection as with it. I think there are few, + except in the very inception of a manufacturing enterprise, or in abnormal + cases growing out of war or destruction of property, or the combinations + of large amounts of capital, where protection alone has enriched men. The + result is the robbery of the consumer with no ultimate good to most of the + protective industries. + </p> + <p> + At a meeting of the textile manufacturers in Philadelphia the other day, + one of the leading men in that interest said: "The fact is that the + textile manufacturers of Philadelphia, the centre of the American trade, + are fast approaching a crisis, and realize that something must be done, + and that soon. Cotton and woollen mills are fast springing up over the + South and West, and the prospects are that we will soon lose much of our + trade in the coarse fabrics by reason of cheap competition. The only thing + we can do, therefore, is to turn our attention to the higher plane, and + endeavor to make goods equal to those imported. We cannot do this now, + because we have not a sufficient supply either of the culture which begets + designs, or of the skill which manipulates the fibres." + </p> + <p> + What a commentary this upon protection, which has brought to such a crisis + one of the chief industries protected, and which is here confessed to have + failed, after twenty years, to enable it to compete even in our own + markets with foreign goods of the finer quality! What is true of textile + manufacturing is also true of many other industries. What remedy, then, + will afford the American manufacturer relief? Not the one here suggested + of increasing the manufacture of goods of finer quality, for, aside from + the impracticability of the plan, this will only aggravate the difficulty + by adding to the aggregate stock in the home market. * * * The American + demand cannot consume what they produce. They must therefore enlarge their + market or stop production. To adopt the latter course is to invite ruin. + The market cannot be increased in this country. It must be found in other + countries. Foreign markets must be sought. But these cannot be opened as + long as we close our markets to their products, with which alone, in most + instances, they can buy; in other words, as long as we continue the + protective system. + </p> + <p> + I say, therefore, to the American manufacturer, sooner or later you must + choose between the alternatives of ruin or the abandonment of protection. + Why hesitate in the decision? Are not Canada and South America and Mexico + your natural markets? England now supplies them with almost all the + foreign goods they buy. Why should not you? Your coal and iron lie + together in the mountain side, and can almost be dropped without carriage + into your furnaces; while in England the miners must go thousands of feet + under the earth for those products. * * * The situation is yours. Break + down your protective barrier. All the world will soon do the same. Their + walls will disappear when ours fall. Open every market of the world to + your products; give steady employment to your laborers. In a little while + you will have the reward which nature always gives to those who obey her + laws, and will escape the ruin which many of your most intelligent + opera-tors see impending over your industries. + </p> + <p> + I have not time to-day to more than refer to the ruinous effect of + protection upon our carrying trade. In 1856, seventy-five per cent. of the + total value of our imports and exports was carried in American vessels; + while in 1879 but seventeen per cent. was carried in such vessels, and in + 1880 the proportion was still less. In 1855, 381 ships and barks were + built in the United States, while in 1879 there were only 37. It is a + question of very few years at this rate until American vessels and the + American flag will disappear from the high seas. Protection has more than + all else to do with the prostration of this trade. It accomplishes this + result (1) by enhancing the price of the materials which enter into the + construction of vessels, so that our ship-builders cannot compete with + foreigners engaged in the same business; (2) by increasing the cost of + domestic production so that American manufactured goods cannot profitably + be exported; and (3) by disabling our merchants from bringing back on + their return trips foreign cargoes in exchange for our products. + </p> + <p> + Nor will I say any thing as to the increase of the crime of smuggling + under protection, a crime which has done incalculable harm to honest + dealers, particularly on the border, and a crime out of which some of the + largest fortunes in the country have been made. + </p> + <p> + There are many who will admit the abstract justice of much that I have + said who profess to believe that it will not do to disturb the tariff now. + But for the protectionist that time never comes. When the depression in + business was universal, they said you must not disturb the tariff now, + because the times are so hard and there is so much suffering. Now, when + business has improved, they say you must not interfere with the tariff, + because times are good and you may bring suffering again. When the present + tariff was first levied it was defended as a temporary expedient only, + required as a necessity by war. Now that a quarter of a century nearly has + passed by and peace has been restored for fifteen years, the advocates for + protection are as determined to hold on to the government bounty as ever. + If they are to be consulted upon the subject as to when the people shall + have relief, the system will be perpetual. + </p> + <p> + It is said we must not disturb the tariff because we must raise so much + revenue. I do not propose to disturb it to diminish revenue, but to + increase it. The plan I propose will add one fifth at least to the revenue + of the country. It is protection I propose to get rid of, not revenue. It + has been well said that revenue ceases where protection begins. + </p> + <p> + It is claimed that by taking away protection you will embarrass many + industries by compelling them to close up and discharge their employees. I + do not believe that the changing of the present tariff to a revenue tariff + will produce this result. I believe that at once every manufacturer will + make more in the diminished cost of production than he will lose in the + taking away of protection. But if there should be danger to any industry I + would provide against it in the law which changes the tariff so that if + there should be any displacement of labor there will be no loss in + consequence. + </p> + <p> + No more perfect illustration of the effect of free trade has been shown + than in the history of the United States. Very much of our prosperity is + due to the fact that the productions of each State can be sold in every + other State without restriction. During the war the most potent argument + for the cause of the Union was found in the apprehension that disunion + meant restriction of commerce, and particularly the placing of the mouth + of the Mississippi River under foreign control. The war was fought, + therefore, to maintain free trade, and the victory was the triumph of free + trade. The Union every day exhibits the advantages of the system. + </p> + <p> + Are these due to the accident of a State being a member of that Union or + to the beneficent principle of the system itself? What would prevent + similar results following if, subject only to the necessities of + government, it were extended to Mexico, to Canada, to South America, to + the world? In such extension the United States have everything to gain, + nothing to lose. This country would soon become the supply house of the + world. We will soon have cattle and harvests enough for all nations. Our + cotton is everywhere in demand. It is again king. Its crown has been + restored, and in all the markets of the world it waves its royal sceptre. + Out of our coal and minerals can be manufactured every thing which human + ingenuity can devise. Our gold and silver mines will supply the greater + part of the precious metals for the use of the arts and trade. + </p> + <p> + With the opportunity of unrestricted exchange of these products, how + limitless the horizon of our possibilities! Let American adventurousness + and genius be free upon the high seas, to go wherever they please and + bring back whatever they please, and the oceans will swarm with American + sails, and the land will laugh with the plenty within its borders. The + trade of Tyre and Sidon, the far extending commerce of the Venetian + republic, the wealth-producing traffic of the Netherlands, will be as + dreams in contrast with the stupendous reality which American enterprise + will develop in our own generation. Through the humanizing influence of + the trade thus encouraged, I see nations become the friends of nations, + and the causes of war disappear. I see the influence of the great republic + in the amelioration of the condition of the poor and the oppressed in + every land, and in the moderation of the arbitrariness of power. Upon the + wings of free trade will be carried the seeds of free government, to be + scattered everywhere to grow and ripen into harvests of free peoples in + every nation under the sun. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX.—FINANCE AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. + </h2> + <p> + With the election of 1876 and the inauguration of President Hayes, March + 4, 1877, the Period of Reconstruction may be said to have closed. The last + formal act of that period was the withdrawal of the national troops from + the South by President Hayes soon after his inauguration. During the last + two decades the "Southern Question," while it has been occasionally + prominent in political discussions,—especially in connection with + the Lodge Federal Elections Bill, 1889-91, has, nevertheless, occupied a + subordinate place in public interest and attention. As an issue in serious + political discussions and party divisions the question has disappeared. + </p> + <p> + In addition to the subject of the Tariff, considered in the previous + section, public attention has been directed chiefly, during the last + quarter of a century, to the two great subjects, Finance and Civil Service + Reform. + </p> + <p> + The Financial question has been like that of the Tariff,—it has been + almost a constant factor in political controversies since the organization + of the Government. + </p> + <p> + The financial measures of Hamilton were the chief subject of political + controversy under our first administration, and they formed the basis of + division for the first political parties under the Constitution. The + funding of the Revolutionary debt, its payment dollar for dollar without + discrimination between the holders of the public securities, the + assumption of the State debts by the National Government, and the + establishment of the First United States Bank, these measures of Hamilton + were all stoutly combated by his opponents, but they were all carried to a + successful conclusion. It was the discussion on the establishment of the + First United States Bank that brought from Hamilton and Jefferson their + differing constructions of the Constitution. In his argument to Washington + in favor of the Bank, Hamilton presented his famous theory of implied + powers, while Jefferson contended that the Constitution should be strictly + construed, and that the "sweeping clause"—"words subsidiary to + limited powers"—should not be so construed as to give unlimited + powers. Madison and Giles in the House presented notable arguments in + support of the Jeffersonian view. For twenty years after 1791 our + financial questions were chiefly questions of administration, not of + legislation. In 1811 the attempt to recharter the First United States Bank + was defeated in the Senate by the casting vote of Vice-President Clinton. + The financial embarrassments of the war of 1812, however, led to the + establishment, in 1812, of the second United States Bank,—by a law + very similar in its provisions to the act creating the First Bank in 1791. + The bill chartering the Second United States Bank was signed by Madison, + who had strenuously opposed the charter of the First Bank. The financial + difficulties in which the war had involved his administration had + convinced Madison that such an institution as the Bank was a "necessary + and proper" means of carrying on the fiscal affairs of the Government. The + Second Bank was, however, opposed on constitutional grounds, as the First + had been; but in 1819 in the famous case of McCulloch vs. Maryland, the + Supreme Court sustained its constitutionality, Chief-Justice Marshall + rendering the decision. The Court held, in this notable decision, that the + Federal Government was a government of limited powers, and these powers + are not to be transcended; but wherein a power is specifically conferred + Congress might exercise a sovereign and unlimited discretion as to the + means necessary in carrying that power into operation. + </p> + <p> + The next important chapter in our financial history is the war upon the + Second United States Bank begun and conducted to a finish by President + Jackson. A bill rechartering the Bank was passed by Congress in 1832, four + years before its charter expired. Jackson vetoed this bill, chiefly on + constitutional grounds, in the face of Marshall's decision of 1819. The + political literature of Jackson's two administrations is full of the Bank + controversy, and this literature contains contributions from Webster, + Clay, Calhoun, Benton, and other of the ablest public men of the day. No + subject of public discussion in that day more completely absorbed the + attention of the people. + </p> + <p> + On these important subjects, which engaged public attention during the + first half-century of our national history, there may be found many + valuable speeches. These, however, are largely of a Constitutional + character. It has been since the opening of our civil war that our + financial discussions have assumed their greatest interest and importance. + We can attempt here only a meagre outline of the financial history of the + last thirty years,—a history which suggests an almost continuous + financial struggle and debate. + </p> + <p> + Leaving on one side the questions of taxation and banking, the financial + discussion has presented itself under two aspects,—the issue and + redemption of Government paper currency, and the Government policy toward + silver coinage. The issue, the funding, and the payment of Government + bonds have been incidentally connected with these questions. + </p> + <p> + The first "legal-tender" Act was approved February 25, 1862. Mr. Blaine + says of this Act that it was "the most momentous financial step ever taken + by Congress," and it was a step concerning which there has ever since been + the most pronounced difference of opinion. The Act provided for the issue + of $150,000,000 non-interest-bearing notes, payable to bearer, in + denominations of not less than $5, and legal tender in payment of all + debts, public and private, except duties on imports and interest on the + public debt. These notes were made exchangeable for 6 per cent. bonds and + receivable for loans that might thereafter be made by the Government. + Supplementary acts of July 11, 1862, and January 17, 1863, authorized + additional issues of $150,000,000 each, in denominations of not less than + one dollar, and the time in which to exchange the notes for bonds was + limited to July 1, 1863. It was under these Acts that the legal-tender + notes known as "greenbacks," now outstanding, were issued. + </p> + <p> + The retirement of the greenbacks was begun soon after the war. On April + 12, 1866, an Act authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to retire and + cancel not more than $10,000,000 of these notes within six months of the + passage of the Act, and $4,000,000 per month thereafter. This policy of + contraction was carried out by Secretary McCulloch, who urged still more + rapid contraction; but the policy was resisted by a large influence in the + country, and on February 4, 1868, an Act of Congress suspending the + authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to retire and cancel United + States notes, became a law without the signature of the President. + </p> + <p> + On March 18, 1869, an "Act to strengthen the public credit" was passed, + which declared that the "greenbacks" were redeemable in coin. This Act + concluded as follows: "And the United States also solemnly pledges its + faith to make provision at the earliest practicable period for the + redemption of the United States notes in coin." + </p> + <p> + On January 14, 1875, the "Resumption Act" was passed. It declared that "on + and after January 1, 1879, the Secretary of the Treasury shall redeem in + coin the United States legal-tender notes then outstanding, on their + presentation for redemption at the office of the Assistant Treasurer of + the United States in the city of New York, in sums of not less than fifty + dollars." The same Act provided that while the legal-tender notes + outstanding remained in excess of $300,000,000, the Secretary of the + Treasury should redeem such notes to the amount of 80 per cent. of the + increase in National Bank notes issued. + </p> + <p> + On May 31, 1878, an Act was passed forbidding the further retirement of + United States legal-tender notes, and providing that "when any of said + notes may be redeemed or be received into the Treasury under any law from + any source whatever and shall belong to the United States, they shall not + be retired, cancelled, or destroyed, but they shall be re-issued and paid + out again and kept in circulation." When this Act was passed there were + $346,681,016 of United States notes outstanding, and there has been no + change in the amount since. + </p> + <p> + As to the silver policy of the Government since the war it is expected + that the purport of certain important acts of legislation should be + understood by all who would have an intelligent conception of our + financial controversies. + </p> + <p> + The Act of February 12, 1873, suspended the coinage of the standard silver + dollar of 412 and 1/2 grains. This Act authorized the coinage of the trade + dollar of 420 grains, making it a legal tender for $5. This is the Act + which has been called the "crime of 1873," on which tomes of controversy + have been called forth. It is discussed at some length in the speech of + Mr. Morrill, found in our text. + </p> + <p> + On February 28, 1878, the Bland-Allison Act was passed over the veto of + President Hayes. A bill providing for the free and unlimited coinage of + silver, of 412 and 1/2 grains to the dollar, had passed the House in + November, 1877, under a suspension of the rules. At this time the bullion + in the silver dollar was worth about 92 cents. When the Bland free-coinage + Act came to the Senate, it was amended there on report of Senator Allison, + of Iowa, Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Senate, by a provision + that the Government should purchase from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 worth of + silver bullion for coinage into dollars. Holders of the coin were + authorized to deposit the same with the United States Treasurer and to + receive therefor certificates of deposit, known as silver certificates. + These certificates are not legal tender, although receivable for customs, + taxes, and all public dues, and are redeemable only in silver. This Act + called forth an exhaustive and able debate. Senator Morrill, of Vermont, + opened the debate in opposition to silver coinage. Senator Beck, of + Kentucky, was one of the ablest advocates of silver coinage, while Mr. + Blaine made a notable contribution to the debate, in which he favored the + unlimited coinage of a silver dollar of 425 grains. Preceding the + Congressional action there had been much public discussion on the subject + throughout the country. A Monetary Commission had been organized, by joint + resolution of August 15, 1875, for the purpose of making an examination + into the silver question. This Commission made an exhaustive report to + Congress on March 2, 1877, the majority of the Commission recommending the + resumption of silver coinage. Also, previous to the discussion of the + Bland-Allison Act in the Senate, the celebrated Matthews Resolution was + passed by that body. This asserted that "all bonds of the United States + are payable in silver dollars of 412 and 1/2 grains, and that to restore + such dollars as a full legal tender for that purpose, is not in violation + of public faith or the rights of the creditors." The de-bate on this + resolution was a notable one. It was chiefly under these aspects that the + financial question was discussed in the years 1877-1878. + </p> + <p> + The Bland-Allison Act was in operation from 1878 to 1890, during which + time $2,000,000 in silver were coined per month, the minimum amount + authorized by law. On July 14, 1890, the so-called Sherman Act stopped the + coinage of silver dollars and provided for the purchase of silver bullion + to the amount of 4,500,000 ounces per month. Against this bullion Treasury + notes were to be issued, redeemable in gold or silver coin at the option + of the Secretary of the Treasury. These notes were made a legal tender in + payment of all debts, public and private, and receivable for all customs, + taxes, and all public dues. It was also declared in this Act to be the + established policy of the United States to maintain the two metals on a + parity with each other upon the present legal ratio, or such ratio as may + be provided by law. On account of this language in the law the Secretary + of the Treasury under Mr. Cleveland has not deemed it advisable to + exercise the discretion which the law gives him to redeem these notes in + silver, and these new Treasury notes have been treated as gold + obligations. By November 1, 1893, when the silver purchase clause of the + Act of July 14, 1890, was repealed, Treasury notes to the amount of + $155,000,000 had been issued, though some of these have since been + exchanged for silver dollars at the option of the holders. It has been by + these Treasury notes and the outstanding greenbacks that gold has been + withdrawn from the Treasury, thus depleting the gold reserve and making + bond issues necessary. It has been deemed advisable by successive + administrations of the Treasury Department to maintain a gold reserve of + $100,000,000 against the $346,681,000 outstanding greenbacks, though no + law requires that such a reserve should be maintained further than that + the Act of March 18, 1869, pledges the faith of the United States that its + outstanding notes should be redeemed in coin. + </p> + <p> + The repeal of the silver purchase clause of the Sherman Act was + accomplished in a special session of Congress, November 1, 1893. Since + this repeal, the silver policy of the Government has been as it was before + the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which involves a complete suspension of + silver coinage. The Acts of 1878 and of 1890 were compromise measures, + agreed to by the opponents of silver coinage in order to prevent the + passage of a bill providing for full unlimited coinage of silver at the + ratio of 16 to 1. Speaking in his <i>Recollections</i> of the situation in + 1890, Senator Sherman says: "The situation at that time was critical. A + large majority of the Senate favored free silver, and it was feared that + the small majority against it in the other House might yield and agree to + it. The silence of the President on the matter gave rise to an + apprehension that if a free coinage bill should pass both Houses he would + not feel at liberty to veto it. Some action had to be taken to prevent a + return to free silver coinage, and the measure evolved was the best + obtainable. I voted for it, but the day it became a law I was ready to + repeal it, if repeal could be had without substituting in its place + absolute free coinage." + </p> + <p> + Since 1893 the contention has been carried on by the silver men in a + public agitation in favor of free silver coinage, without compromise or + international agreement, and this year (1896), by our form of political + referendum, the question has been referred to the people for decision. + </p> + <p> + We have attempted to include four representative orations on this complex + subject, from four of our most prominent public men. The literature of the + subject is unlimited. Mr. Morrill is a representative advocate of the gold + standard. In the same discussion Mr. Blaine offers a compromise position. + Senator Sherman is an international bimetallist and a pronounced opponent + of independent silver coinage. He has given much attention—probably + no one has given more—to financial questions during a long public + life. Senator Jones is recognized as one of the ablest advocates and one + of the deepest students of monetary problems on the free silver side of + the controversy. The extracts from these speeches will indicate the merits + of the long debate on silver coinage,—the greatest question in our + financial history in a quarter of a century. + </p> + <p> + The reform of the Civil Service has been a subject of public attention + especially since 1867. The public service of the United States is divided + into three branches, the civil, military, and naval. By the civil service + we mean that which is neither military nor naval, and it comprises all the + offices by which the civil administration is carried on. The struggle for + Civil Service Reform has been an effort to substitute what is known as the + "Merit System" for what is known as the "Spoils System"; to require that + appointment to public office should depend, not upon the applicant's + having rendered a party service, but upon his fitness to render a public + service. It would seem that the establishment in public practice of so + obvious a principle should require no contest or agitation; and that the + civil service should ever have been perverted and that a long struggle + should be necessary to reform it, are to be explained only in connection + with a modern party organization and a party machinery and usage which + were entirely unforeseen by the framers of the Constitution. The practice + of the early administrations was reasonable and natural. Washington + required of applicants for places in the civil service proofs of ability, + integrity, and fitness. "Beyond this," he said, "nothing with me is + necessary or will be of any avail." Washington did not dream that party + service should be considered as a reason for a public appointment. John + Adams followed the example of Washington. Jefferson came into power at the + head of a victorious party which had displaced its opponent after a bitter + struggle. The pressure for places was strong, but Jefferson resisted it, + and he declared in a famous utterance that "the only questions concerning + a candidate shall be, Is he honest? is he capable? is he faithful to the + Constitution?" Madison, Monroe, and John Quincy Adams followed in the same + practice so faithfully that a joint Congressional Committee was led to say + in 1868 that, having consulted all accessible means of information, they + had not learned of a single removal of a subordinate officer except for + cause, from the beginning of Washington's administration to the close of + that of John Quincy Adams. + </p> + <p> + The change came in 1829 with the accession of Jackson. The Spoils System + was formally proclaimed in 1832. In that year Martin Van Buren was + nominated Minister to England, and, in advocating his confirmation, + Senator Marcy, of New York, first used the famous phrase in reference to + the public officers, "To the victors belong the spoils of the enemy." + </p> + <p> + Since then every administration has succumbed, in whole or in part, to the + Spoils System. The movement for the reform of the civil service began in + 1867-68, in the 39th and 40th Congresses in investigations and reports of + a Joint Committee on Retrenchment. The reports were made and the movement + led by Hon. Thomas A. Jenckes, a member of the House from Rhode Island. + These reports contained a mass of valuable information upon the evils of + the spoils service. In 1871 an Act, a section of an appropriation bill, + was passed authorizing the President to prescribe rules for admission to + the civil service, to appoint suitable persons to make inquiries and to + establish regulations for the conduct of appointees. Mr. George William + Curtis was at the head of the Civil Service Commission appointed by + General Grant under this Act, and on December 18, 1871, the Commission + made a notable report, written by Mr. Curtis, on the evils of the present + system and the need of reform. In April, 1872, a set of rules was + promulgated by the Commission regulating appointments. These rules were + suspended in March, 1875, by President Grant although personally friendly + to the reform, because Congress had refused appropriations for the + expenses of the Commission. Appeal was made to the people through the + usual agencies of education and agitation. President Hayes revised the + Civil Service Rules, and Mr. Schurz, Secretary of the Interior, made + notable application of the principle of the reform in his department. + President Garfield recognized the need of reform, though he asserted that + it could be brought about only through Congressional action. Garfield's + assassination by a disappointed placeman added to the public demand for + reform, and on January, 18, 1883, the Pendleton Civil Service Law was + passed. This Act, which had been pending in the Senate since 1880, + provided for open competitive examinations for admission to the public + service in Washington and in all custom-houses and post-offices where the + official force numbered as many as fifty; for the appointment of a Civil + Service Commission of three members, not more than two of whom shall be of + the same political party; and for the apportionment of appointments + according to the population of the States. Provision was made for a period + of probation before permanent appointment should be made, and no + recommendations from a Senator or member of Congress, except as to the + character or residence of the applicant, should be received or considered + by any person making an appointment or examination. The Act prohibited + political assessments in a provision that "no person shall, in any room + occupied in the discharge of official duties by an officer or employee of + the United States, solicit in any manner whatever any contribution of + money or anything of value, for any political purpose whatever." + </p> + <p> + The Pendleton Act was a landmark in the history of the reform and + indicated its certain triumph. The Act was faithfully executed by + President Arthur in the appointment of a Commission friendly to the cause, + and under the Act the Civil Service Rules have since been extended by + Presidents Harrison and Cleveland until the operations of the reform + embrace the greater part of the service, including fully 85,000 + appointments. It is not probable that the nation will ever again return to + the feudalism of the Spoils System. + </p> + <p> + No two men have done more for the cause of Civil Service Reform than + George William Curtis and Carl Schurz. When Mr. Curtis died, in 1892, the + presidency of the Civil Service Reform League, so long held by him, + worthily devolved upon Mr. Schurz. It may be said that in the last + twenty-five years of Mr. Curtis' life is written the history of this + reform. His orations on the subject have enriched our political literature + and they hold up before the young men of America the noblest ideals of + American citizenship. He gave unselfishly of his time and of his exalted + talents to this cause, and his services deserve from his countrymen the + reward due to high and devoted patriotism. Refusing high and honorable + appointments which were held out to him, he preferred to serve his country + by doing what he could to put her public service upon a worthy plane. The + oration from Mr. Curtis included in our text is one among many of his + worthy productions. + </p> + <p> + J. A. W. <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + JUSTIN S. MORRILL, + </h2> + <h3> + OF VERMONT. (BORN 1810.) + </h3> + <p> + ON THE REMONETIZATION OF SILVER —UNITED STATES SENATE, JANUARY 28, + 1878. + </p> + <p> + MR. PRESIDENT, the bill now before the Senate provides for the + resuscitation of the obsolete dollar of 412 and 1/2 grains of silver, + which Congress entombed in 1834 by an Act which diminished the weight of + gold coins to the extent of 6.6 per cent., and thus bade a long farewell + to silver. It is to be a dollar made of metal worth now fifty-three and + five-eighths pence per ounce, or ten cents less in value than a gold + dollar, and on January 23d, awkwardly enough, worth eight and + three-fourths cents less than a dollar in greenbacks, gold being only If + per cent. premium, but, nevertheless, to be a legal tender for all debts, + public and private, except where otherwise provided by contract. The words + seem to be aptly chosen to override and annul whatever now may be + otherwise provided by law. Beyond this, as the bill came from the House, + the holders of silver bullion—not the Government or the whole people—were + to have all the profits of coinage and the Government all of the expense. + This, but for the amendment proposed by the Committee on Finance, would + have furnished the power to the enterprising operators in silver, either + at home or abroad, to inflate the currency without limit; and, even as + amended, inflation will be secured to the full extent of all the silver + which may be issued, for there is no provision for redeeming or retiring a + single dollar of paper currency. Labor is threatened with a continuation + of the unequal struggle against a depreciated and fluctuating standard of + money. + </p> + <p> + The bill, if it becomes a law, must at the very threshold arrest the + resumption of specie payments, for, were the holders of United States + notes suddenly willing to exchange them for much less than their present + value, payment even in silver is to be postponed indefinitely. For years + United States notes have been slowly climbing upward, but now they are to + have a sudden plunge downward, and in every incompleted contract, great + and small, the robbery of Peter to pay Paul is to be fore-ordained. The + whole measure looks to me like a fearful assault upon the public credit. + The losses it will inflict upon the holders of paper money and many others + will be large, and if the bill, without further radical amendments, + obtains the approval of the Senate, it will give the death-blow to the + cardinal policy of the country, which now seeks a large reduction of the + rate of interest upon our national debt. Even that portion now held abroad + will come back in a stampede to be exchanged for gold at any sacrifice. + The ultimate result would be, when the supply for customs shall have been + coined and the first effervescence has passed away, the emission of silver + far below the standard of gold; and when the people become tired of it, + disgusted or ruined by its instability, as they soon would be, a fresh + clamor may be expected for the remonetization of gold, and another + clipping or debasing of gold coins may follow to bring them again into + circulation on the basis of silver equivalency. In this slippery descent + there can be no stopping place. The consoling philosophy of the silver + commission may then be repealed, that a fall in the value of either or + both of the metals is a "benefaction to mankind." If that were true, then + copper, being more abundant and of lower value, should be used in + preference to either gold or silver. The gravity of these questions will + not be disputed. + </p> + <p> + The silver question in its various aspects, as involved in the bill before + us, is one of admitted importance, possibly of difficult solution; and it + is further embarrassed by not only the conflicting views of those entitled + to some respect, but by the multifarious prescriptions intruded by a host + of self-constituted experts and by all of the quack financiers of the + land. Every crocheteer and pamphleteer, cocksure "there's no two ways + about it," generously contributes his advice free of charge; but sound, + trust-worthy advice does not roam like tramps and seldom comes uninvited. + Many of the facts which surround the subject are perhaps of too recent + occurrence to justify hasty and irrevocable conclusions. The service of + our own people, however, must be our paramount concern. Their intercourse + with themselves and with the world should be placed upon the most solid + foundation. If any have silver to sell it is comparatively a small matter, + and yet we earnestly desire that they may obtain for it the highest as + well as the most stable price; but not at the expense of corn, cotton, and + wheat; and it is to be hoped, if any have debts to meet now or hereafter, + that they may meet them with the least inconvenience consistent with + plain, downright, integrity; but, from being led astray by the loud + declamations of those who earn nothing themselves and know no trade but + spoliation of the earnings of others, let them heartily say, "Good Lord, + deliver us." + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + A stupid charge, heretofore, in the front of debate, has been made, and + wickedly repeated in many places, that the Coinage Act of 1873 was + secretly and clandestinely engineered through Congress without proper + consideration or knowledge of its contents; but it is to be noted that + this charge had its birth and growth years after the passage of the Act, + and not until after the fall of silver. Long ago it was declared by one of + the old Greek dramatists that, "No lie ever grows old." This one is as + fresh and boneless now as at its birth, and is therefore swallowed with + avidity by those to whom such food is nutritious or by those who have no + appetite for searching the documents and records for facts. Whether the + Act itself was right or wrong does not depend upon the degradation of + Congress implied in the original charge. Interested outsiders may glory in + libelling Congress, but why should its own members? The Act may be good + and Congress bad, and yet it is to be hoped that the latter has not fallen + to the level of its traducers. But there has been no fall of Congress; + only a fall of silver. To present the abundant evidence showing that few + laws were ever more openly proposed, year after year, and squarely + understood than the Coinage Act of 1873, will require but a moment. It had + been for years elaborately considered and reported upon by the Deputy + Comptroller of the Currency. The special attention of Congress was called + to the bill and the report by the Secretary of the Treasury in his annual + re-ports for 1870, 1871, and 1872, where the "new features" of the bill, + "discontinuing the coinage of the silver dollar," were fully set forth. + The extensive correspondence of the Department had been printed in + relation to the proposed bill, and widely circulated. The bill was + separately printed eleven times, and twice in reports of the Deputy + Comptroller of the Currency,—thirteen times in all,—and so + printed by order of Congress. A copy of the printed bill was many times on + the table of every Senator, and I now have all of them here before me in + large type. It was considered at much length by the appropriate committees + of both Houses of Congress; and the debates at different times upon the + bill in the Senate filled sixty-six columns of the <i>Globe</i>, and in + the House seventy-eight columns of the <i>Globe</i>. No argus-eyed debater + objected by any amendment to the discontinuance of the silver dollar. In + substance the bill twice passed each House, and was finally agreed upon + and reported by a very able and trustworthy committee of conference, where + Mr. Sherman, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Bayard appeared on the part of the Senate. + No one who knows anything of those eminent Senators will charge them with + doing anything secretly or clandestinely. And yet more capital has been + made by the silver propagandists out of this groundless charge than by all + of their legitimate arguments.' + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The gold standard, it may confidently be asserted, is practically far + cheaper than that of silver. I do not insist upon having the gold + standard, but if we are to have but one, I think that the best. The + expense of maintaining a metallic currency is of course greater than that + of paper; but it must be borne in mind that a paper currency is only + tolerable when convertible at the will of the holder into coin—and + no one asks for more than that. A metallic currency is also subject to + considerable loss by abrasion or the annual wear; and it is quite + important to know which metal—gold or silver—can be most + cheaply supported. A careful examination of the subject conclusively shows + that the loss is nearly in proportion to the length of time coins have + been in circulation, and to the amount of surface exposed, although small + coins, being handled with less care, suffer most. The well-ascertained + result is that it costs from fifteen to twenty-five times more to keep + silver afloat than it does to maintain the same amount in gold. To sustain + the silver standard would annually cost about one per cent. for abrasion; + but that of gold would not exceed one-twentieth of one per cent. This is a + trouble-some charge, forever to bristle up in the path-way of a silver + standard. It must also be borne in mind that the mint cost of coining + silver is many times greater than that of the same amount in gold. More + than sixteen tons of silver are required as the equivalent of one ton of + gold. As a cold matter of fact, silver is neither the best nor the + cheapest standard. It is far dearer to plant and forever dearer to + maintain. + </p> + <p> + A double standard put forth by us on the terms now proposed by the + commission or by the House bill would be so only in name. The perfect dual + ideal of theorists, based upon an exact equilibrium of values, cannot be + realized while the intrinsic value of either of the component parts is + overrated or remains a debatable question and everywhere more or less open + to suspicion. A standard of value linked to the changing fortunes of two + metals instead of one, when combined with an existing disjointed and + all-pervading confusion in the ratio of value, must necessarily be linked + to the hazard of double perturbations and become an alternating standard + in perpetual motion. + </p> + <p> + The bimetallic scheme, with silver predominant—largely everywhere + else suspended, if not repudiated—is pressed upon us now with a + ratio that will leave nothing in circulation but silver, as a profitable + mode of providing a new and cheaper way of pinching and paying the + national debt; but a mode which would leave even a possible cloud upon our + national credit should find neither favor nor tolerance among a proud and + independent people. + </p> + <p> + The proposition is openly and squarely made to pay the public debt at our + option in whichever metal, gold or silver, happens to be cheapest, and + chiefly for the reason that silver already happens to be at 10 per cent. + the cheapest. In 1873, to have paid the debt in silver would have cost 3 + per cent. more than to have paid it in gold, and then there was no + unwillingness on the part of the present non-contents to pay in gold. + Silver was worth more then to sell than to pay on debts. No one then + pulled out the hair of his head to cure grief for the disappearance of the + nominal silver option. Since that time it has been and would be now + cheaper nominally to pay in silver if we had it; and therefore we are + urged to repudiate our former action and to claim the power to resume an + option already once supposed to have been profitably exercised, of which + the world was called upon to take notice, and to pay in silver to-day or + to let it alone to-morrow. I know that the detestable doctrine of + Machiavelli was that "a prudent prince ought not to keep his word except + when he can do it without injury to himself;" but the Bible teaches a + different doctrine, and honoreth him "who sweareth to his own hurt and + changeth not." If we would not multiply examples of individual financial + turpitude, already painfully numerous, we must not trample out conscience + and sound morality from the monetary affairs of the nation. The "option" + about which we should be most solicitous was definitely expressed by + Washington when he said: "There is an option left to the United States + whether they will be respectable and prosperous or contemptible and + miserable as a nation." Our national self-respect would not be increased + when Turkey, as a debt-paying nation, shall be held as our equal and + Mexico as our superior. The credit of a great nation cannot even be + discussed without some loss; it cannot even be tempted by the devious + advantages of legal technicalities without bringing some sense of shame; + but to live, it must go, like chastity, unchallenged and unsuspected. It + cannot take refuge behind the fig-leaves of the law, and especially not + behind a law yet to be made to meet the case. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The argument relied upon in favor of a bimetallic standard as against a + monometallic seems to be that a single-metal standard leaves out one-half + of the world's resources; but the same thing must occur with a bimetallic + standard unless the metals can be placed and kept in a state of exact + equilibrium, or so that nothing can be gained by the exchange of one for + the other. Hitherto this has been an unattainable perfection. A law fixing + the ratio of 16 of silver to 1 of gold, as proposed by different members + of the Commission, would now be a gross over-valuation of silver and + wholly exclude gold from circulation. It will hardly be disputed that the + two metals cannot circulate together unless they are mutually convertible + without profit or loss at the ratio fixed at the mint. But it is here + proposed to start silver with a large legal-tender advantage above its + market value, and with the probability, through further depreciation, of + increasing that advantage by which the monometallic standard of silver + will be ordained and confirmed. The argument in behalf of a double + standard is double-tongued, when in fact nothing is intended, or can be + the outcome, but a single silver standard. The argument would wed silver + and gold, but the conditions which follow amount to a decree of perpetual + divorcement. Enforce the measure by legislation, and gold would at once + flee out of the country. Like liberty, gold never stays where it is + undervalued. + </p> + <p> + No approach to a bimetallic currency of uniform and fixed value can be + possible, as it appears to me, without the co-operation of the leading + commercial nations. Even with that co-operation its accomplishment and + permanence may not be absolutely certain, unless the late transcendent + fickleness of the supply and demand subsides, or unless the ratio of value + can be adjusted with more consummate accuracy than has hitherto been found + by any single nation to be practicable. One-tenth of one per cent. + difference will always exclude from use one or the other metal; but here a + difference nearly one hundred times greater has been proposed. The + double-standard nations and the differing single gold- or silver-standard + nations doubtless contributed something to the relative equalization of + values so long as they furnished an available market for any surplus of + either metal, but this they are doing no longer. Silver, though not yet + universally demonetized, is thrown upon the market in such masses and from + so many prolific sources as to be governed by the inexorable laws of + demand and supply. Its magic as coin, if it has not hopelessly departed, + has been, like the retreating soldier, fearfully "demoralized," and is + passing to the rear. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + It cannot be for the interest or the honor of the United States, while + possessed of any healthy national pride, to resort to any expedient of + bankrupt governments to lower the money standard of the country. That + standard should keep us "four square" to the world and give us equal rank + in the advanced civilization and industrial enterprise of all the great + commercial nations. + </p> + <p> + I have failed of my purpose if I have not shown that there has been so + large an increase of the stock of silver as of itself to effect a positive + reduction of its value; and that this result has been confirmed and made + irreversible by the new and extensive European disuse of silver coinage. I + have indicated the advisability of obtaining the co-operation of other + leading nations, in fixing upon a common ratio of value between gold and + silver, before embarking upon a course of independent action from which + there could be no retreat. I have also attempted to show that, even in the + lowest pecuniary sense of profit, the Government of the United States + could not be the gainer by proposing to pay either the public debt or the + United States notes in silver; that such a payment would violate public + pledges as to the whole, and violates existing statutes as to all that + part of the debt contracted since 1870, and for which gold has been + received; that the remonetization of silver means the banishment of gold + and our degradation among nations to the second or third rank; that it + would be a sweeping 10 per cent. reduction of all duties upon imports, + requiring the imposition of new taxes to that extent; that it would + prevent the further funding of the public debt at a lower rate of interest + and give to the present holders of our 6 per cent. bonds a great + advantage; that, instead of aiding resumption, it would only inflate a + currency already too long depreciated, and consign it to a still lower + deep; that, instead of being a tonic to spur idle capital once more into + activity, it would be its bane, destructive of all vitality; and that as a + permanent silver standard it would not only be void of all stability, and + the dearest and clumsiest in its introduction and maintenance, but that it + would reduce the wages of labor to the full extent of the difference there + might be between its purchasing power and that of gold. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0006" id="linkimage-0006"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/blaine.jpg" alt="James G. Blaine " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + JAMES G. BLAINE, + </h2> + <h3> + OF MAINE. (BORN 1830, DIED 1893.) + </h3> + <p> + ON THE REMONETIZATION OF SILVER, UNITED STATES SENATE, FEBRUARY 7, 1878. + </p> + <p> + The discussion on the question of remonetizing silver, Mr. President, has + been prolonged, able, and exhaustive. I may not expect to add much to its + value, but I promise not to add much to its length. I shall endeavor to + consider facts rather than theories, to state conclusions rather than + arguments: + </p> + <p> + First. I believe gold and silver coin to be the money of the Constitution—indeed, + the money of the American people anterior to the Constitution, which that + great organic law recognized as quite independent of its own existence. No + power was conferred on Congress to declare that either metal should not be + money. Congress has therefore, in my judgment, no power to demonetize + silver any more than to demonetize gold; no power to demonetize either any + more than to demonetize both. In this statement I am but repeating the + weighty dictum of the first of constitutional lawyers. "I am certainly of + opinion," said Mr. Webster, "that gold and silver, at rates fixed by + Congress, constitute the legal standard of value in this country, and that + neither Congress nor any State has authority to establish any other + standard or to displace this standard." Few persons can be found, I + apprehend, who will maintain that Congress possesses the power to + demonetize both gold and silver, or that Congress could be justified in + prohibiting the coinage of both; and yet in logic and legal construction + it would be difficult to show where and why the power of Congress over + silver is greater than over gold—greater over either than over the + two. If, therefore, silver has been demonetized, I am in favor of + remonetizing it. If its coinage has been prohibited, I am in favor of + ordering It to be resumed. If it has been restricted, I am in favor of + having it enlarged. + </p> + <p> + Second. What power, then, has Congress over gold and silver? It has the + exclusive power to coin them; the exclusive power to regulate their value; + very great, very wise, very necessary powers, for the discreet exercise of + which a critical occasion has now arisen. However men may differ about + causes and processes, all will admit that within a few years a great + disturbance has taken place in the relative values of gold and silver, and + that silver is worth less or gold is worth more in the money markets of + the world in 1878 than in 1873, when the further coinage of silver dollars + was prohibited in this country. To remonetize it now as though the facts + and circumstances of that day were surrounding us, is to wilfully and + blindly deceive ourselves. If our demonetization were the only cause for + the decline in the value of silver, then remonetization would be its + proper and effectual cure. But other causes, quite beyond our control, + have been far more potentially operative than the simple fact of Congress + prohibiting its further coinage; and as legislators we are bound to take + cognizance of these causes. The demonetization of silver in the great + German Empire and the consequent partial, or well-nigh complete, + suspension of coinage in the governments of the Latin Union, have been the + leading dominant causes for the rapid decline in the value of silver. I do + not think the over-supply of silver has had, in comparison with these + other causes, an appreciable influence in the decline of its value, + because its over-supply with respect to gold in these later years, has not + been nearly so great as was the over-supply of gold with respect to silver + for many years after the mines of California and Australia were opened; + and the over-supply of gold from those rich sources did not effect the + relative positions and uses of the two metals in any European country. + </p> + <p> + I believe then if Germany were to remonetize silver and the kingdoms and + states of the Latin Union were to reopen their mints, silver would at once + resume its former relation with gold. The European countries when driven + to full re-monetization, as I believe they will be, must of necessity + adopt their old ratio of fifteen and a half of silver to one of gold, and + we shall then be compelled to adopt the same ratio instead of our former + sixteen to one. For if we fail to do this we shall, as before, lose our + silver, which like all things else seeks the highest market; and if + fifteen and a half pounds of silver will buy as much gold in Europe as + sixteen pounds will buy in America, the silver, of course, will go to + Europe. But our line of policy in a joint movement with other nations to + remonetize is very simple and very direct. The difficult problem is what + we shall do when we aim to re-establish silver without the co-operation of + European powers, and really as an advance movement to coerce them there + into the same policy. Evidently the first dictate of prudence is to coin + such a dollar, as will not only do justice among our citizens at home, but + will prove a protection—an absolute barricade—against the gold + monometallists of Europe, who, whenever the opportunity offers, will + quickly draw from us the one hundred and sixty millions of gold coin still + in our midst. And if we coin a silver dollar of full legal tender, + obviously below the current value of the gold dollar, we are opening wide + our doors and inviting Europe to take our gold. And with our gold flowing + out from us we are forced to the single silver standard and our relations + with the leading commercial countries of the world are at once embarrassed + and crippled. + </p> + <p> + Third. The question before Congress then—sharply defined in the + pending House bill—is, whether it is now safe and expedient to offer + free coinage to the silver dollar of 412 1/2 grains, with the mints of the + Latin Union closed and Germany not permitting silver to be coined as + money. At current rates of silver, the free coinage of a dollar containing + 412 1/2 grains, worth in gold about ninety-two cents, gives an + illegitimate profit to the owner of the bullion, enabling him to take + ninety-two cents' worth of it to the mint and get it stamped as coin and + force his neighbor to take it for a full dollar. This is an undue and + unfair advantage which the Government has no right to give to the owner of + silver bullion, and which defrauds the man who is forced to take the + dollar. And it assuredly follows that if we give free coinage to this + dollar of inferior value and put it in circulation, we do so at the + expense of our better coinage in gold; and unless we expect the uniform + and invariable experience of other nations to be in some mysterious way + suspended for our peculiar benefit, we inevitably lose our gold coin. It + will flow out from us with the certainty and resistless force of the + tides. Gold has indeed remained with us in considerable amount during the + circulation of the inferior currency of the legal tender; but that was + because there were two great uses reserved by law for gold: the collection + of customs and the payment of interest on the public debt. But if the + inferior silver coin is also to be used for these two reserved purposes, + then gold has no tie to bind it to us. What gain, therefore, would we make + for the circulating medium, if on opening the gate for silver to flow in, + we open a still wider gate for gold to flow out? If I were to venture upon + a dictum on the silver question, I would declare that until Europe + remonetizes we cannot afford to coin a dollar as low as 412 1/2 grains. + After Europe remonetizes on the old standard, we cannot afford to coin a + dollar above 400 grains. If we coin too low a dollar before general + re-monetization our gold will flow out from us. If we coin too high a + dollar after general remonetization our silver will leave us. It is only + an equated value both before and after general remonetization that will + preserve both gold and silver to us. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Fifth. The responsibility of re-establishing silver in its ancient and + honorable place as money in Europe and America, devolves really on the + Congress of the United States. If we act here with prudence, wisdom, and + firmness, we shall not only successfully remonetize silver and bring it + into general use as money in our own country, but the influence of our + example will be potential among all European nations, with the possible + exception of England. Indeed, our annual indebtment to Europe is so great + that if we have the right to pay it in silver we necessarily coerce those + nations by the strongest of all forces, self-interest, to aid us in + up-holding the value of silver as money. But if we attempt the + remonetization on a basis which is obviously and notoriously below the + fair standard of value as it now exists, we incur all the evil + consequences of failure at home and the positive certainty of successful + opposition abroad. We are and shall be the greatest producers of silver in + the world, and we have a larger stake in its complete monetization than + any other country. The difference to the United States between the general + acceptance of silver as money in the commercial world and its destruction + as money, will possibly equal within the next half-century the entire + bonded debt of the nation. But to gain this advantage we must make it + actual money—the accepted equal of gold in the markets of the world. + Re-monetization here followed by general remonetization in Europe will + secure to the United States the most stable basis for its currency that we + have ever enjoyed, and will effectually aid in solving all the problems by + which our financial situation is surrounded. + </p> + <p> + Sixth. On the much-vexed and long-mooted question of a bi-metallic or + mono-metallic standard my own views are sufficiently indicated in the + remarks I have made. I believe the struggle now going on in this country + and in other countries for a single gold standard would, if successful, + produce wide-spread disaster in the end throughout the commercial world. + The destruction of silver as money and establishing gold as the sole unit + of value must have a ruinous effect on all forms of property except those + investments which yield a fixed return in money. These would be enormously + enhanced in value, and would gain a disproportionate and unfair advantage + over every other species of property. If, as the most reliable statistics + affirm, there are nearly seven thousand millions of coin or bullion in the + world, not very unequally divided between gold and silver, it is + impossible to strike silver out of existence as money without results + which will prove distressing to millions and utterly disastrous to tens of + thousands. Alexander Hamilton, in his able and invaluable report in 1791 + on the establishment of a mint, declared that "to annul the use of either + gold or silver as money is to abridge the quantity of circulating medium, + and is liable to all the objections which arise from a comparison of the + benefits of a full circulation with the evils of a scanty circulation." I + take no risk in saying that the benefits of a full circulation and the + evils of a scanty circulation are both immeasurably greater to-day than + they were when Mr. Hamilton uttered these weighty words, always provided + that the circulation is one of actual money, and not of depreciated + promises to pay. + </p> + <p> + In the report from which I have already quoted, Mr. Hamilton argues at + length in favor of a double standard, and all the subsequent experience of + well-nigh ninety years has brought out no clearer statement of the whole + case nor developed a more complete comprehension of this subtle and + difficult subject. "On the whole," says Mr. Hamilton, "it seems most + advisable not to attach the unit exclusively to either of the metals, + because this cannot be done effectually without destroying the office and + character of one of them as money and reducing it to the situation of mere + merchandise." And then Mr. Hamilton wisely concludes that this reduction + of either of the metals to mere merchandise (I again quote his exact + words) "would probably be a greater evil than occasional variations in the + unit from the fluctuations in the relative value of the metals, especially + if care be taken to regulate the proportion between them with an eye to + their average commercial value." I do not think that this country, holding + so vast a proportion of the world's supply of silver in its mountains and + its mines, can afford to reduce the metal to the "situation of mere + merchandise." If silver ceases to be used as money in Europe and America, + the great mines of the Pacific slope will be closed and dead. Mining + enterprises of the gigantic scale existing in this country cannot be + carried on to provide backs for looking-glasses and to manufacture + cream-pitchers and sugar-bowls. A vast source of wealth to this entire + country is destroyed the moment silver is permanently disused as money. It + is for us to check that tendency and bring the continent of Europe back to + the full recognition of the value of the metal as a medium of exchange. + </p> + <p> + Seventh. The question of beginning anew the coinage of silver dollars has + aroused much discussion as to its effect on the public credit; and the + Senator from Ohio (Mr. Matthews) placed this phase of the subject in the + very forefront of the debate—insisting, prematurely and illogically, + I think, on a sort of judicial construction in advance, by concurrent + resolution, of a certain law in case that law should happen to be passed + by Congress. My own view on this question can be stated very briefly. I + believe the public creditor can afford to be paid in any silver dollar + that the United States can afford to coin and circulate. We have forty + thousand millions of property in this country, and a wise self-interest + will not permit us to overturn its relations by seeking for an inferior + dollar wherewith to settle the dues and demands of any creditor. The + question might be different from a merely selfish stand-point if, on + paying the dollar to the public creditor, it would disappear after + performing that function. But the trouble is that the inferior dollar you + pay the public creditor remains in circulation, to the exclusion of the + better dollar. That which you pay at home will stay there; that which you + send abroad will come back. The interest of the public creditor is + indissolubly bound up with the interest of the whole people. Whatever + affects him affects us all; and the evil that we might inflict upon him by + paying an inferior dollar would recoil upon us with a vengeance as + manifold as the aggregate wealth of the Republic transcends the + comparatively small limits of our bonded debt. And remember that our + aggregate wealth is always increasing, and our bonded debt steadily + growing less! If paid in a good silver dollar, the bondholder has nothing + to complain of. If paid in an inferior silver dollar, he has the same + grievance that will be uttered still more plaintively by the holder of the + legal-tender note and of the national-bank bill, by the pensioner, by the + day-laborer, and by the countless host of the poor, whom we have with us + always, and on whom the most distressing effect of inferior money will be + ultimately precipitated. + </p> + <p> + But I must say, Mr. President, that the specific demand for the payment of + our bonds in gold coin and in nothing else, comes with an ill grace from + certain quarters. European criticism is levelled against us and hard names + are hurled at us across the ocean, for simply daring to state that the + letter of our law declares the bonds to be payable in standard coin of + July 14, 1870; expressly and explicitly declared so, and declared so in + the interest of the public creditor, and the declaration inserted in the + very body of the eight hundred million of bonds that have been issued + since that date. Beyond all doubt the silver dollar was included in the + standard coins of that public act. Payment at that time would have been as + acceptable and as undisputed in silver as in gold dollars, for both were + equally valuable in the European as well as in the American market. + Seven-eighths of all our bonds, owned out of the country, are held in + Germany and in Holland, and Germany has demonetized silver and Holland has + been forced thereby to suspend its coinage, since the subjects of both + powers purchased our securities. The German Empire, the very year after we + made our specific declaration for paying our bonds in coin, passed a law + destroying so far as lay in their power the value of silver as money. I do + not say that it was specially aimed at this country, but it was passed + regardless of its effect upon us, and was followed, according to public + and undenied statement, by a large investment on the part of the German + Government in our bonds, with a view, it was understood, of holding them + as a coin reserve for drawing gold from us to aid in establishing their + gold standard at home. Thus, by one move the German Government destroyed, + so far as lay in its power, the then existing value of silver as money, + enhanced consequently the value of gold, and then got into position to + draw gold from us at the moment of their need, which would also be the + moment of our own sorest distress. I do not say that the German Government + in these successive steps did a single thing which it had not a perfect + right to do, but I do say that the subjects of that Empire have no right + to complain of our Government for the initial step which has impaired the + value of one of our standard coins. And the German Government by joining + with us in the remonetization of silver, can place that standard coin in + its old position and make it as easy for this Government to pay and as + profitable for their subjects to receive the one metal as the other. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The effect of paying the labor of this country in silver coin of full + value, as compared with the irredeemable paper or as compared even with + silver of inferior value, will make itself felt in a single generation to + the extent of tens of millions, perhaps hundreds of millions, in the + aggregate savings which represent consolidated capital. It is the instinct + of man from the savage to the scholar—developed in childhood and + remaining with age—to value the metals which in all tongues are + called precious. Excessive paper money leads to extravagance, to waste, + and to want, as we painfully witness on all sides to-day. And in the midst + of the proof of its demoralizing and destructive effect, we hear it + proclaimed in the Halls of Congress that "the people demand cheap money." + I deny it. I declare such a phrase to be a total misapprehension, a total + misinterpretation of the popular wish. The people do not demand cheap + money. They demand an abundance of good money, which is an entirely + different thing. They do not want a single gold standard that will exclude + silver and benefit those already rich. They do not want an inferior silver + standard that will drive out gold and not help those already poor. They + want both metals, in full value, in equal honor, in what-ever abundance + the bountiful earth will yield them to the searching eye of science and to + the hard hand of labor. + </p> + <p> + The two metals have existed side by side in harmonious, honorable + companionship as money, ever since intelligent trade was known among men. + It is well-nigh forty centuries since "Abraham weighed to Ephron the + silver which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth—four + hundred shekels of silver—current money with the merchant." Since + that time nations have risen and fallen, races have disappeared, dialects + and languages have been forgotten, arts have been lost, treasures have + perished, continents have been discovered, islands have been sunk in the + sea, and through all these ages and through all these changes, silver and + gold have reigned supreme, as the representatives of value, as the media + of exchange. The dethronement of each has been attempted in turn, and + sometimes the dethronement of both; but always in vain. And we are here + to-day, deliberating anew over the problem which comes down to us from + Abraham's time: the weight of the silver that shall be "current money with + the merchant." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + JOHN SHERMAN, + </h2> + <h3> + OF OHIO. (BORN 1823.) + </h3> + <p> + ON SILVER COINAGE AND TREASURY NOTES; UNITED STATES SENATE, JUNE 5, 1890. + </p> + <p> + I approach the discussion of this bill and the kindred bills and + amendments pending in the two Houses with unaffected diffidence. No + problem is submitted to us of equal importance and difficulty. Our action + will affect the value of all the property of the people of the United + States, and the wages of labor of every kind, and our trade and commerce + with all the world. In the consideration of such a question we should not + be controlled by previous opinions or bound by local interests, but with + the lights of experience and full knowledge of all the complicated facts + involved, give to the subject the best judgment which imperfect human + nature allows. With the wide diversity of opinion that prevails, each of + us must make concessions in order to secure such a measure as will + accomplish the objects sought for without impairing the public credit or + the general interests of our people. This is no time for visionary + theories of political economy. We must deal with facts as we find them and + not as we wish them. We must aim at results based upon practical + experience, for what has been probably will be. The best prophet of the + future is the past. + </p> + <p> + To know what measures ought to be adopted we should have a clear + conception of what we wish to accomplish. I believe a majority of the + Senate desire, first, to provide an increase of money to meet the + increasing wants of our rapidly growing country and population, and to + supply the reduction in our circulation caused by the retiring of + national-bank notes; second, to increase the market value of silver not + only in the United States but in the world, in the belief that this is + essential to the success of any measure proposed, and in the hope that our + efforts will advance silver to its legal ratio with gold, and induce the + great commercial nations to join with us in maintaining the legal parity + of the two metals, or in agreeing with us in a new ratio of their relative + value; and third, to secure a genuine bimetallic standard, one that will + not demonetize gold or cause it to be hoarded or exported, but that will + establish both gold and silver as standards of value not only in the + United States, but among all the civilized nations of the world. + </p> + <p> + Believing that these are the chief objects aimed at by us all, and that we + differ only as to the best means to obtain them, I will discuss the + pending propositions to test how far they tend, in my opinion, to promote + or defeat these obtects. + </p> + <p> + And, first, as to the amount of currency necessary to meet the wants of + the people. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + It is a fact that there has been a constant increase of currency. It is a + fact which must be constantly borne in mind. If any evils now exist such + as have been so often stated, such as falling prices, increased mortgages, + contentions between capital and labor, decreasing value of silver, + increased relative value of gold, they must be attributed to some other + cause than our insufficient supply of circulation, for not only has the + circulation increased in these twelve years 80 per cent., while our + population has only increased 36 per cent., but it has all been maintained + at the gold standard, which, it is plain, has been greatly advanced in + purchasing power. If the value of money is tested by its amount, by + numerals, according to the favorite theory of the Senator from Nevada (Mr. + Jones), then surely we ought to be on the high road of prosperity, for + these numerals have increased in twelve years from $805,000,-000 to + $1,405,000,000 in October last, and to $1,420,000,000 on the 1st of this + month. This single fact disposes of the claim that insufficient currency + is the cause of the woes, real and imaginary, that have been depicted, and + compel us to look to other causes for the evils complained of. + </p> + <p> + I admit that prices for agricultural productions have been abnormally low, + and that the farmers of the United States have suffered greatly from this + cause. But this depression of prices is easily accounted for by the + greatly increased amount of agricultural production, the wonderful + development of agricultural implements, the opening of vast regions of new + and fertile fields in the West, the reduced cost of transportation, the + doubling of the miles of railroads, and the quadrupling capacity of + railroads and steamboats for transportation, and the new-fangled forms of + trusts and combinations which monopolize nearly all the productions of the + farms and workshops of our country, reducing the price to the producer and + in some cases increasing the cost to the consumer. All these causes + cooperate to reduce prices of farm products. No one of them can be traced + to an insufficient currency, now larger in amount in proportion to + population than ever before in our history. + </p> + <p> + But to these causes of a domestic character must be added others, over + which we have no control. The same wonderful development of industry has + been going on in other parts of the globe. In Russia, especially in + Southern Russia, vast regions have been opened to the commerce of the + world. Railroads have been built, mines have been opened, exhaustless + supplies of petroleum have been found, and all these are competitors with + us in supplying the wants of Europe for food, metals, heat, and light. + India, with its teeming millions of poorly paid laborers, is competing + with our farmers, and their products are transported to market over + thousands of miles of railroads constructed by English capital, or by + swift steamers through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, reaching directly + the people of Europe whom we formerly supplied with food. No wonder, then, + that our agriculture is depressed by low prices, caused by competition + with new rivals and agencies. + </p> + <p> + Any one who can overlook these causes and attribute low prices to a want + of domestic currency, that has increased and is increasing continually, + must be blind to the great forces that in recent times throughout the + world are tending by improved methods and modern inventions to lessen the + prices of all commodities. + </p> + <p> + These fluctuations depend upon the law of supply and demand, involving + facts too numerous to state, but rarely depending on the volume of money + in circulation. An increase of currency can have no effect to advance + prices unless we cheapen and degrade it by making it less valuable; and if + that is the intention now, the direct and honest way is to put fewer + grains of gold or silver in our dollar. This was the old way, by clipping + the coin, adding base metal. + </p> + <p> + If we want a cheaper dollar we have the clear constitutional right to put + in it 15 grains of gold instead of 23, or 300 grains of silver instead of + 412 1/2, but you have no power to say how many bushels of wheat the new + dollar shall buy. You can, if you choose, cheapen the dollar under your + power to coin money, and thus enable a debtor to pay his debts with fewer + grains of silver or gold, under the pretext that gold or silver has risen + in value, but in this way you would destroy all forms of credit and make + it impossible for nations or individuals to borrow money for a period of + time. It is a species of repudiation. + </p> + <p> + The best standard of value is one that measures for the longest period its + equivalent in other products. Its relative value may vary from time to + time. If it falls, the creditor loses; if it increases, the debtor loses; + and these changes are the chances of all trade and commerce and all + loaning and borrowing. The duty of the Government is performed when it + coins money and provides convenient credit representatives of coin. The + purchasing power of money for other commodities depends upon changing + conditions over which the Government has no control. Even its power to + issue paper money has been denied until recently, but this may be + considered as settled by the recent decisions of the Supreme Court in the + legal-tender cases. All that Congress ought to do is to provide a + sufficient amount of money, either of coin or its equivalent of paper + money, to meet the current wants of business. This it has done in the + twelve years last passed at a ratio of increase far in excess of any in + our previous history. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Under the law of February, 1878, the purchase of $2,000,000 worth of + silver bullion a month has by coinage produced annually an average of + nearly $3,000,000 a month for a period of twelve years, but this amount, + in view of the retirement of the bank notes, will not increase our + currency in proportion to our increase in population. If our present + currency is estimated at $1,400,000,000, and our population is increasing + at the ratio of 3 per cent. per annum, it would require $42,000,000 + increased circulation each year to keep pace with the increase of + population; but as the increase of population is accompanied by a still + greater ratio of increase of wealth and business, it was thought that an + immediate increase of circulation might be obtained by larger pur chases + of silver bullion to an amount sufficient to make good the retirement of + bank notes, and keep pace with the growth of population. Assuming that + $54,000,000 a year of additional circulation is needed upon this basis, + that amount is provided for in this bill by the issue of Treasury notes in + exchange for bullion at the market price. I see no objection to this + proposition, but believe that Treasury notes based upon silver bullion + purchased in this way will be as safe a foundation for paper money as can + be conceived. + </p> + <p> + Experience shows that silver coin will not circulate to any considerable + amount. Only about one silver dollar to each inhabitant is maintained in + circulation with all the efforts made by the Treasury Department, but + silver certificates, the representatives of this coin, pass current + without question, and are maintained at par in gold by being received by + the Government for all purposes and redeemed if called for. I do not fear + to give to these notes every sanction and value that the United States can + confer. I do not object to their being made a legal tender for all debts, + public or private. I believe that if they are to be issued they ought to + be issued as money, with all the sanction and authority that the + Government can possibly confer. While I believe the amount to be issued is + greater than is necessary, yet in view of the retirement of bank notes I + yielded my objections to the increase beyond $4,000,000. As an expedient + to provide increased circulation it is far preferable to free coinage of + silver or any proposition that has been made to provide some other + security than United States bonds for bank circulation. I believe it will + accomplish the first object proposed, a gradual and steady increase of the + current money of the country. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + What then can we do to arrest the fall of silver and to advance its market + value? I know of but two expedients. One is to purchase bullion in large + quantities as the basis and security of Treasury notes, as proposed by + this bill. The other is to adopt the single standard of silver, and take + the chances for its rise or fall in the markets of the world. I have + already stated the probable results of the hoarding of bullion. By + purchasing in the open market our domestic production of silver and + hoarding it in the Treasury we withdraw so much from the supply of the + world, and thus maintain or increase the price of the remaining silver + production of the world. It is not idle in our vaults, but is represented + by certificates in active circulation. Sixteen ounces of silver bullion + may not be worth one ounce of gold, still one dollar's worth of silver + bullion is worth one dollar of gold. + </p> + <p> + What will be the effect of the free coinage of silver? It is said that it + will at once advance silver to par with gold at the ratio of 16 to 1. I + deny it. The attempt will bring us to the single standard of the cheaper + metal. When we advertise that we will buy all the silver of the world at + that ratio and pay in Treasury notes, our notes will have the precise + value of 371 1/2 grains of pure silver, but the silver will have no higher + value in the markets of the world. If, now, that amount of silver can be + purchased at 80 cents, then gold will be worth $1.25 in the new standard. + All labor, property, and commodities will advance in nominal value, but + their purchasing power in other commodities will not increase. If you make + the yard 30 inches long instead of 36 you must purchase more yards for a + coat or a dress, but do not lessen the cost of the coat or the dress. You + may by free coinage, by a species of confiscation, reduce the burden of a + debt, but you cannot change the relative value of gold or silver, or any + object of human desire. The only result is to demonetize gold and to cause + it to be hoarded or exported. The cheaper metal fills the channels of + circulation and the dearer metal commands a premium. + </p> + <p> + If experience is needed to prove so plain an axiom we have it in our own + history. At the beginning of our National Government we fixed the value of + gold and silver as 1 to 15. Gold was undervalued and fled the country to + where an ounce of gold was worth 151 ounces of silver. Congress, in 1834, + endeavored to rectify this by making the ratio 1 to 16, but by this silver + was undervalued. Sixteen ounces of silver were worth more than 1 ounce of + gold, and silver disappeared. Congress, in 1853, adopted another expedient + to secure the value of both metals as money. By this expedient gold is the + standard and silver the subsidiary coin, containing confessedly silver of + less value in the market than the gold coin, but maintained at the parity + of gold coin by the Government. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + But it is said that those of us who demand the gold standard, or paper + money always equal to gold, are the representatives of capital, + money-changers, bondholders, Shylocks, who want to grind and oppress the + people. This kind of argument I hoped would never find its way into the + Senate Chamber. It is the cry of the demagogue, without the slightest + foundation. All these classes can take care of themselves. They are the + men who make their profits out of the depreciation of money. They can mark + up the price of their property to meet changing standards. They can + protect themselves by gold contracts. In proportion to their wealth they + have less money on hand than any other class. They have already protected + themselves to a great extent by converting the great body of the + securities in which they deal into gold bonds, and they hold the gold of + the country, which you cannot change in value. They are not, as a rule, + the creditors of the country. + </p> + <p> + The great creditors are savings-banks, insurance companies, widows and + orphans, and provident farmers, and business men on a small scale. The + great operators are the great borrowers and owe more than is due them. + Their credit is their capital and they need not have even money enough to + pay their rent. + </p> + <p> + But how will this change affect the great mass of our fellow-citizens who + depend upon their daily labor? A dollar to them means so much food, + clothing, and rent. If you cheapen the dollar it will buy less of these. + You may say they will get more dollars for their labor, but all experience + shows that labor and land are the last to feel the change in monetary + standards, and the same resistance will be made to an advance of wages on + the silver standard as on the gold standard, and when the advance is won + it will be found that the purchasing power of the new dollar is less than + the old. No principle of political economy is better established than that + the producing classes are the first to suffer and the last to gain by + monetary changes. + </p> + <p> + I might apply this argument to the farmer, the merchant, the professional + man, and to all classes except the speculator or the debtor who wishes to + lessen the burden of his obligations; but it is not necessary. + </p> + <p> + It is sometimes said that all this is a false alarm, that our demand for + silver will absorb all that will be offered and bring it to par with gold + at the old ratio. I have no faith in such a miracle. If they really + thought so, many would lose their interest in the question. What they want + is a cheaper dollar that would pay debts easier. Others do not want either + silver or gold, but want numbers, numerals, the fruit of the + printing-press, to be fixed every year by Congress as we do an + appropriation bill. + </p> + <p> + Now, sir, I am willing to do all I can with safety even to taking great + risks to increase the value of silver to gold at the old ratio, and to + supply paper substitutes for both for circulation, but there is one + immutable, unchangeable, ever-existing condition, that the paper + substitute must always have the same purchasing power as gold and silver + coin, maintained at their legal ratio with each other. I feel a + conviction, as strong as the human mind can have, that the free coinage of + silver now by the United States will be a grave mistake and a misfortune + to all classes and conditions of our fellow-citizens. I also have a hope + and belief, but far from a certainty, that the measure proposed for the + purchase of silver bullion to a limited amount, and the issue of Treasury + notes for it, will bring silver and gold to the old ratio, and will lead + to an agreement with other commercial nations to maintain the free coinage + of both metals. + </p> + <p> + And now, sir, I want to state in conclusion, without any purpose to bind + myself to detail, that I will vote for any measure that will, in my + judgment, secure a genuine bimetallic standard—one that will not + demonetize gold or cause it to be hoarded or exported, but will establish + both silver and gold as common standards and maintain them at a fixed + ratio, not only in the United States but among all the nations of the + world. The principles adopted by the Acts of 1853 and 1875 have been + sustained by experience and should be adhered to. In pursuance of them I + would receive into the Treasury of the United States all the gold and + silver produced in our country at their market value, not at a speculative + or forced value, but at their value in the markets of the world. And for + the convenience of our people I would represent them by Treasury notes to + an amount not exceeding their cost. I would confer upon these notes all + the use, qualities, and attributes that we can confer within our + constitutional power, and support and maintain them as money by coining + the silver and gold as needed upon the present legal ratios, and by a + pledge of all the revenues of the Government and all the wealth and credit + of the United States. + </p> + <p> + And I would proclaim to all our readiness, by international negotiations + or treaties, to bring about an agreement among nations for common units of + value and of weights and measures for all the productions of the world. + </p> + <p> + This hope of philosophers and statesmen is now nearer realization than + ever before. If we could contribute to this result it would tend to + promote commerce and intercourse, trade and travel, peace and harmony + among nations. It would be in line with the civilization of our age. It is + by such measures statesmen may keep pace with the marvellous inventions, + improvements, and discoveries which have quadrupled the capacity of man + for production, made lightning subservient to his will, revealed to him + new agencies of power hidden in the earth, and opened up to his enterprise + all the dark places of the world. The people of the United States boast + that they have done their full share in all this development; that they + have grown in population, wealth, and strength; that they are the richest + of nations, with untarnished credit, a model and example of + self-government without kings or princes or lords. Surely this is no time + for a radical change of public policy which seems to have no motive except + to reduce the burden of obligations freely taken, a change likely to + impair our public credit and produce disorder and confusion in all + monetary transactions. Others may see reasons for this change, but I + prefer to stand by the standards of value that come to us with the + approval and sanction of every party that has administered the Government + since its beginning. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + JOHN P. JONES, + </h2> + <h3> + OF NEVADA. (BORN 1830.) + </h3> + <p> + ON TREASURY NOTES AND SILVER, IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, MAY 12, + 1890. + </p> + <p> + MR. PRESIDENT, the question now about to be discussed by this body is in + my judgment the most important that has attracted the attention of + Congress or the country since the formation of the Constitution. It + affects every interest, great and small, from the slightest concern of the + individual to the largest and most comprehensive interest of the nation. + </p> + <p> + The measure under consideration was reported by me from the Committee on + Finance. It is hardly necessary for me to say, however, that it does not + fully reflect my individual views regarding the relation which silver + should bear to the monetary circulation of the country or of the world. I + am, at all times and in all places, a firm and unwavering advocate of the + free and unlimited coinage of silver, not merely for the reason that + silver is as ancient and honorable a money metal as gold, and equally well + adapted for the money use, but for the further reason that, looking at the + annual yield from the mines, the entire supply that can come to the mints + will at no time be more than is needed to maintain at a steady level the + prices of commodities among a constantly increasing population. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + History gives evidence of no more prolific source of human misery than a + persistent and long continued fall in the general range of prices. But, + although exercising so pernicious an influence, it is not itself a cause, + but an effect. + </p> + <p> + When a fall of prices is found operating, not on one article or class of + articles alone, but on the products of all industries; when found to be + not confined to any one climate, country, or race of people, but to + diffuse itself over the civilized world; when it is found not to be a + characteristic of any one year, but to go on progressively for a series of + years, it becomes manifest that it does not and can not arise from local, + temporary, or subordinate causes, but must have its genesis and + development in some principle of universal application. + </p> + <p> + What, then, is it that produces a general decline of prices in any + country? It is produced by a shrinkage in the volume of money relatively + to population and business, which has never yet failed to cause an + increase in the value of the money unit, and a consequent decrease in the + price of the commodities for which such unit is exchanged. If the volume + of money in circulation be made to bear a direct and steady ratio to + population and business, prices will be maintained at a steady level, and, + what is of supreme importance, money will be kept of unchanging value. + With an advancing civilization, in which a large volume of business is + conducted on a basis of credit extending over long periods, it is of the + uttermost importance that money, which is the measure of all equities, + should be kept unchanging in value through time. + </p> + <p> + A reduction in the volume of money relatively to population and business, + or, (to state the proposition in another form) a volume which remains + stationary while population and business are increasing, has the effect of + increasing the value of each unit of money, by increasing its purchasing + power. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + We have 22,000,000 workmen in this country. In order that they may be kept + uninterruptedly employed it is absolutely necessary that business + contracts and obligations be made long in advance. Accordingly, we read + almost daily of the inception of industrial undertakings requiring years + to fulfil. It is not too much to say that the suspension for one season of + the making of time-contracts would close the factories, furnaces, and + machine-shops of all civilized countries. + </p> + <p> + The natural concomitant of such a system of industry is the elaborate + system of debt and credit which has grown up with it, and is indispensable + to it. Any serious enhancement in the value of the unit of money between + the time of making a contract or incurring a debt and the date of + fulfilment or maturity always works hardship and frequently ruin to the + contractor or debtor. + </p> + <p> + Three fourths of the business enterprises of this country are conducted on + borrowed capital. Three fourths of the homes and farms that stand in the + name of the actual occupants have been bought on time, and a very large + proportion of them are mortgaged for the payment of some part of the + purchase money. + </p> + <p> + Under the operation of a shrinkage in the volume of money this enormous + mass of borrowers, at the maturity of their respective debts, though + nominally paying no more than the amount borrowed, with interest, are, in + reality, in the amount of the principal alone, returning a percentage of + value greater than they received—more than in equity they contracted + to pay, and oftentimes more, in substance, than they profited by the loan. + To the man of business this percentage in many cases constitutes the + difference between success and failure. Thus a shrinkage in the volume of + money is the prolific source of bankruptcy and ruin. It is the canker + that, unperceived and unsuspected, is eating out the prosperity of our + people. By reason of the almost universal inattention to the nature and + functions of money this evil is permitted, unobserved, to work widespread + ruin and disaster. So subtle is it in its operations that it eludes the + vigilance of the most acute. It baffles all foresight and calculation; it + sets at naught all industry, all energy, all enterprise. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The advocates of the single gold standard deem even silver money much + better money than greenbacks. Does it then follow that when greenbacks + were our only money—good enough money to carry our nation through + the greatest war in all history—we were "along-side" or underneath + the barbarous nations of the world? It is not the form or material of a + nation's money that fixes its status relatively to other nations. That is + accomplished by the vitality, the energy, the intellectuality and + effective force of its people. The United States can never be placed + "alongside" any barbarous nation, except by compelling our people to + compete with barbarous peoples—compelling them to sell the products + of American labor at prices regulated by the cost of labor and manner of + living in barbarous countries. As well might it be said that we are + alongside the barbarous people of India because we continue to produce + wheat and cotton. + </p> + <p> + The distinguishing feature of all barbarous nations is the squalor of + their working classes. The reward of their hard toil is barely enough to + maintain animal existence. A civilized people are placed alongside a + barbarous one when, in their means of livelihood, the foundation of their + civilization, they are made to compete with the barbarians. That was the + result accomplished for the farmers and planters of the United States when + silver was demonetized. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + It is a remarkable circumstance, Mr. President, that throughout the entire + range of economic discussion in gold-standard circles, it seems to be + taken for granted that a change in the value of the money unit is a matter + of no significance, and imports no mischief to society, so long as the + change is in one direction. Who has ever heard from an Eastern journal any + complaint against a contraction of our money volume; any admonition that + in a shrinking volume of money lurk evils of the utmost magnitude? On the + other hand, we have been treated to lengthy homilies on the evils of + "inflation," whenever the slightest prospect presented itself to a + decrease in the value of money—not with the view of giving the + debtor an advantage over the lender of money, but of preventing the + unconscionable injustice of a further increasing value in the dollars + which the debtor contracted to pay. Loud and re-sounding protests have + been entered against the "dishonesty" of making payments in "depreciated + dollars." The debtors are characterized as dishonest for desiring to keep + money at a steady and unwavering value. If that object could be secured, + it would undoubtedly be to the interest of the debtor, and could not + possibly work any injustice to the creditor. It would simply assure to + both debtor and creditor the exact measure for which they bargained. It + would enable the debtor to pay his debt with exactly the amount of + sacrifice to which, on the making of the debt, he undertook to submit, in + order to pay it. + </p> + <p> + In all discussions of the subject the creditors attempt to brush aside the + equities involved by sneering at the debtors. But, Mr. President, debt is + the distinguishing characteristic of modern society. It is through debt + that the marvellous developments of the nineteenth-century civilization + have been effected. Who are the debtors in this country? Who are the + borrowers of money? The men of enterprise, of energy, of skill, the men of + industry, of fore-sight, of calculation, of daring. In the ranks of the + debtors will be found a large preponderance of the constructive energy of + every country. The debtors are the upbuilders of the national wealth and + prosperity; they are the men of initiative, the men who conceive plans and + set on foot enterprises. They are those who by borrowing money enrich the + community. They are the dynamic force among the people. They are the busy, + restless, moving throng whom you find in all walks of life in this country—the + active, the vigorous, the strong, the undaunted. + </p> + <p> + These men are sustained in their efforts by the hope and belief that their + labors will be crowned with success. Destroy that hope and you take away + from society the most powerful of all the incentives to material + development; you place in the pathway of progress an obstacle which it is + impossible to surmount. + </p> + <p> + The men of whom I have spoken are undoubtedly the first who are likely to + be affected by a shrinkage in the volume of money. + </p> + <p> + The highest prosperity of a nation is attained only when all its people + are employed in avocations suited to their individual aptitudes, and when + a just money system insures an equitable distribution of the products of + their industry. With our present complex civilization, in order that men + may have constant employment, it is indispensable that work be planned and + undertakings projected years in advance. Without an intelligent forecast + of enterprises large numbers of workmen must periodically be relegated to + idleness. Enterprises that take years to complete must be contracted for + in advance, and payments provided for. + </p> + <p> + A constant but unperceived rise in the value of the dollar with which + those payments must be made, baffles all plans, thwarts all calculation, + and destroys all equities between debtor and creditor. If we cannot + intelligently regulate our money volume so as to maintain unchanging the + value of the money unit, if we cannot preserve our people from the + blighting effects which an increase in the measuring power of the money + unit entails upon all industry, to what purpose is our boasted + civilization? + </p> + <p> + By the increase of that measuring power all hopes are disappointed, all + purposes baffled, all efforts thwarted, all calculations defied. This + subtle enlargement in the measuring power of the unit of money (the + dollar) affects every class of the working community. Like a poisonous + drug in the human body, it permeates every vein, every artery, every fibre + and filament of the industrial structure. The debtor is fighting for his + life against an enemy he does not see, against an influence he does not + understand. For, while his calculations were well and intelligently made, + and the amount of his debts and the terms of his contracts remain the + same, the weight of all his obligations has been increased by an insidious + increase in the value of the money unit. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + In an ancient village there once stood a gold clock, which, ever since the + invention of clocks, had been the measure of time for the people of that + village. They were proud of its beauty, its workmanship, its musical + stroke, and the unfailing regularity with which it heralded the passing + hours. This clock had been endeared to all the inhabitants of the village + by the hallowed associations with which it was identified. Generation + after generation it had called the children from far and wide to attend + the village school; its fresh morning peal had set the honest villagers to + labor; its noonday notes had called them to refreshment; its welcome + evening chime had summoned them to rest. + </p> + <p> + From time immemorial, on all festive occasions, it had rung out its merry + tones to assemble the young people on the green; and on the Sabbath it had + advertised to all the countryside the hour of worship in the village + church. So perfect was its mechanism that it never needed repair. So proud + were the people of this wonderful clock that it became the standard for + all the country round about, and the time which it kept came to be known + as the gold standard of time, which was universally admitted to be correct + and unchanging. + </p> + <p> + In the course of time there wandered that way a queer character, a + clock-maker, who being fully instructed in the inner workings of + time-tellers, and not having inherited the traditions of that village, did + not regard this clock with the veneration accorded to it by the natives. + To their astonishment he denied that there was really any such thing as a + gold standard of time; and in order to prove that the material, gold, did + not monopolize all the qualities characteristic of clocks, he placed + alongside the gold clock, another clock, of silver, and set both clocks at + 12 noon. For a long time the clocks ran along in almost perfect accord, + their only disagreement being that of an occasional second or two, and + even that disagreement only at rare intervals, such as might naturally + occur with the best of clocks. But the Council of the village, in their + admiration for the gold clock, passed an ordinance requiring that all the + weights (the motive power) of the silver clock, except one, be removed + from it, and attached to those of the gold clock. Instantly the clocks + began to fall apart, and one day, as the sun was passing the meridian, the + hands of the gold clock were observed to indicate the hour of 1, while + those of the silver clock indicated 12.15. At this everybody in the + village ridiculed the silver clock, derided the silver standard, and + hurled epithets at the individual who had had the temerity to doubt the + infallibility of the gold standard. + </p> + <p> + Finally, the divergence between the clocks went so far that it was noon by + the gold standard when it was only 6 A.M. by the silver standard, so that + those who were guided by the gold standard, notwithstanding that it was + yet the gray of the morning, insisted on eating their mid-day meal, + because the gold standard indicated that it must be noon. And when the sun + was high in the heavens, and its light was shining warm and refulgent on + the dusty streets of the village, those who observed the gold standard had + already eaten supper and were preparing for bed. + </p> + <p> + But this state of things could not last. It was clear that the difference + between the standards must be reconciled, or all industry would be + disarranged and the village ruined. + </p> + <p> + Discussion was rife among the villagers as to the cause of the difference. + Some said the silver clock had lost time; others that both clocks had lost + time, but the silver clock more than the gold; while others again asserted + that both clocks had gained time, but that the gold clock had gained more + than the silver clock. + </p> + <p> + While this discussion was at its height a philosopher came along and + observing the excitement on the subject remarked: "By measuring two + things, one against the other, you can never arrive at any determination + as to which has changed. Instead of disputing as to whether one clock has + lost or another gained would it not be well to consult the sun and the + stars and ascertain exactly what has happened?" + </p> + <p> + Some demurred to this because, as they asserted, the gold standard was + unchanging and was always right no matter how much it might seem to be + wrong; others agreed that the philosopher's advice should be taken. Upon + consulting the sun and the stars it was discovered that what had happened + was that both clocks had gained in time but that the gain of the silver + clock had been very slight, while that of the gold clock had been so great + as to disturb all industry and destroy all correct sense of time. + </p> + <p> + Nothwithstanding this demonstration, there were many who adhered to the + belief that the gold standard was correct and unchanging, and insisted + that what appeared to be its aberrations were not in reality due to any + fault of the gold clock, but to some convulsion of nature by which the + solar system had been disarranged and the planets made to move irregularly + in their orbits. + </p> + <p> + Some of the people also remembered having heard at the village inn, from + travellers returning from the East, that silver clocks were the standard + of time in India and other barbarous countries, while in countries of a + more advanced civilization gold clocks were the standard. They therefore + feared that the use of the silver clock might have the effect of degrading + the civilization of the village by placing it alongside India and other + barbarous countries. And although the great mass of the people really + believed, from the demonstration made, that the silver standard of time + was the better one, yet this objection was so momentous that they were + puzzled what course to pursue, and at last advices were consulting the + manufacturers of gold clocks as to what was best to be done. + </p> + <p> + Now our gold standard men are in the position of those who first refuse to + look at anything beyond the two things, gold and silver, to see what has + happened, and who, when it is finally demonstrated that all other things + retain their former relations to silver, still persist that the law which + makes gold an unchanging standard of measure is more immutable than that + which holds the stars in their courses. If they will compare gold and + silver with commodities in general, to see how the metals have maintained + their relations, not to one another but to all other things, they will + find that instead of a fall having taken place in the value of silver, the + change that has really taken place is a rise in the value of both gold and + silver, the rise in silver being relatively slight, while that of gold has + been ruinously great. And those who do not shut their eyes to the truth + must see that the change of relation between the metals has been effected + by depriving silver of its legal-tender function, as the want of accord + between the clocks was brought about by depriving the silver clock of a + portion of its motive power—the weights. The only thing that has + prevented a greater divergency between the metals is the limited coinage + by the United States—the single weight that, withheld from the gold + clock, prevented its more ruinous gain. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Everybody admits that the value of all other things is regulated by the + play against each other of the forces of supply and demand. No reason has + been or can be given why the value of the unit of money is not subject to + this law. + </p> + <p> + The demand for money is equivalent to the sum of the demands for all other + things whatsoever, for it is through a demand first made on money that all + the wants of man are satisfied. The demand for money is instant, constant, + and unceasing, and is always at a maximum. If any man wants a pair of + shoes, or a suit of clothes, he does not make his demand first on the + shoemaker, or clothier. No man, except a beggar, makes a demand directly + for food, clothes, or any other article. Whether it be to obtain clothing, + food, or shelter—whether the simplest necessity or the greatest + luxury of life—it is on money that the demand is first made. As this + rule operates throughout the entire range of commodities it is manifest + that the demand for money equals at least the united demands for all other + things. + </p> + <p> + While population remains stationary, the demand for money will remain the + same. As the demand for one article becomes less, the demand for some + other which shall take its place becomes greater. The demand for money, + therefore, must ever be as pressing and urgent as the needs of man are + varied, incessant, and importunate. + </p> + <p> + Such being the demand for money, what is the supply? It is the total + number of units of money in circulation (actual or potential) in any + country. + </p> + <p> + The force of the demand for money operating against the supply is + represented by the earnest, incessant struggle to obtain it. All men, in + all trades and occupations, are offering either property or services for + money. Each shoemaker in each locality is in competition with every other + shoemaker in the same locality, each hatter is in competition with every + other hatter, each clothier with every other clothier, all offering their + wares for units of money. In this universal and perpetual competition for + money, that number of shoemakers that can supply the demand for shoes at + the smallest average price (excellence of quality being taken into + account) will fix the market value of shoes in money; and conversely, will + fix the value of money in shoes. So with the hatters as to hats, so with + the tailors as to clothes, and so with those engaged in all other + occupations as to the products respectively of their labor. + </p> + <p> + The transcendent importance of money, and the constant pressure of the + demand for it, may be realized by comparing its utility with that of any + other force that contributes to human welfare. + </p> + <p> + In all the broad range of articles that in a state of civilization are + needed by man, the only absolutely indispensable thing is money. For + everything else there is some substitute—some alternative; for money + there is none. Among articles of food, if beef rises in price, the demand + for it will diminish, as a certain proportion of the people will resort to + other forms of food. If, by reason of its continued scarcity, beef + continues to rise, the demand will further diminish, until finally it may + altogether cease and centre on something else. So in the matter of + clothing. If any one fabric becomes scarce, and consequently dear, the + demand will diminish, and, if the price continue rising, it is only a + question of time for the demand to cease and be transferred to some + alternative. + </p> + <p> + But this cannot be the case with money. It can never be driven out of use. + There is not, and there never can be, any substitute for it. It may become + so scarce that one dollar at the end of a decade may buy ten times as much + as at the beginning; that is to say, it may cost in labor or commodities + ten times as much to get it, but at whatever cost, the people must have + it. Without money the demands of civilization could not be supplied. + </p> + <p> + <a name="linkimage-0007" id="linkimage-0007"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%"> + <img src="images/curtis.jpg" alt="George Curtis " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, + </h2> + <h3> + OF NEW YORK (BORN 1824, DIED 1892.) + </h3> + <p> + ON THE SPOILS SYSTEM AND THE PROGRESS OF CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. + </p> + <p> + An Address delivered before the American Social Science Association at its + Meeting in Saratoga, New York, September 8, 1881. + </p> + <p> + Twelve years ago I read a paper before this association upon reform in the + Civil Service. The subject was of very little interest. A few newspapers + which were thought to be visionary occasionally discussed it, but the + press of both parties smiled with profound indifference. Mr. Jenckes had + pressed it upon an utterly listless Congress, and his proposition was + regarded as the harmless hobby of an amiable man, from which a little + knowledge of practical politics would soon dismount him. The English + reform, which was by far the most significant political event in that + country since the parliamentary reform bill of 1832, was virtually unknown + to us. To the general public it was necessary to explain what the Civil + Service was, how it was recruited, what the abuses were, and how and why + they were to be remedied. Old professional politicians, who look upon + reform as Dr. Johnson defined patriotism, as the last refuge of a + scoundrel, either laughed at what they called the politics of idiocy and + the moon, or sneered bitterly that reformers were cheap hypocrites who + wanted other people's places and lamented other people's sins. + </p> + <p> + This general public indifference was not surprising. The great reaction of + feeling which followed the war, the relaxation of the long-strained + anxiety of the nation for its own existence, the exhaustion of the vast + expenditure of life and money, and the satisfaction with the general + success, had left little disposition to do anything but secure in the + national polity the legitimate results of the great contest. To the + country, reform was a proposition to reform evils of administration of + which it knew little, and which, at most, seemed to it petty and + impertinent in the midst of great affairs. To Congress, it was apparently + a proposal to deprive members of the patronage which to many of them was + the real gratification of their position, the only way in which they felt + their distinction and power. To such members reform was a plot to deprive + the bear of his honey, the dog of his bone, and they stared and growled + incredulously. + </p> + <p> + This was a dozen years ago. To-day the demand for reform is imperative. + The drop has become a deluge. Leading journals of both parties eagerly + proclaim its urgent necessity. From New England to California public + opinion is organizing itself in reform associations. In the great + custom-house and the great post-office of the country—those in the + city of New York—reform has been actually begun upon definite + principles and with remarkable success, and the good example has been + followed elsewhere with the same results. A bill carefully prepared and + providing for gradual and thorough reform has been introduced with an + admirable report in the Senate of the United States. Mr. Pendleton, the + Democratic Senator from Ohio, declares that the Spoils System which has + debauched the Civil Service of fifty millions of people must be destroyed. + Mr. Dawes, the Republican Senator from Massachusetts, summons all good + citizens to unite to suppress this gigantic evil which threatens the + republic. Conspicuous reformers sit in the Cabinet; and in this sorrowful + moment, at least, the national heart and mind and conscience, stricken and + bowed by a calamity whose pathos penetrates every house-hold in + Christendom, cries to these warning words, "Amen! Amen!" Like the slight + sound amid the frozen silence of the Alps that loosens and brings down the + avalanche, the solitary pistol-shot of the 2d of July has suddenly + startled this vast accumulation of public opinion into conviction, and on + every side thunders the rush and roar of its overwhelming descent, which + will sweep away the host of evils bred of this monstrous abuse. + </p> + <p> + This is an extraordinary change for twelve years, but it shows the + vigorous political health, the alert common-sense, and the essential + patriotism of the country, which are the earnest of the success of any + wise reform. The war which naturally produced the lassitude and + indifference to the subject which were evident twelve years ago had made + reform, indeed, a vital necessity, but the necessity was not then + perceived. The dangers that attend a vast system of administration based + to its least detail upon personal patronage were not first exposed by Mr. + Jenckes in 1867, but before that time they had been mainly discussed as + possibilities and inferences. Yet the history of the old New York council + of appointment had illustrated in that State the party fury and corruption + which patronage necessarily breeds, and Governor McKean in Pennsylvania, + at the close of the last century, had made "a clean sweep" of the places + within his power. The spoils spirit struggled desperately to obtain + possession of the national administration from the day of Jefferson's + inauguration to that of Jackson's, when it succeeded. Its first great but + undesigned triumph was the decision of the First Congress in 1789, vesting + the sole power of removal in the President, a decision which placed almost + every position in the Civil Service unconditionally at his pleasure. This + decision was determined by the weight of Madison's authority. But Webster, + nearly fifty years afterwards, opposing his authority to that of Madison, + while admitting the decision to have been final, declared it to have been + wrong. The year 1820, which saw the great victory of slavery in the + Missouri Compromise, was also the year in which the second great triumph + of the spoils system was gained, by the passage of the law which, under + the plea of securing greater responsibility in certain financial offices, + limited such offices to a term of four years. The decision of 1789, which + gave the sole power of removal to the President, required positive + executive action to effect removal; but this law of 1820 vacated all the + chief financial offices, with all the places dependent upon them, during + the term of every President, who, without an order of removal, could fill + them all at his pleasure. + </p> + <p> + A little later a change in the method of nominating the President from a + congressional caucus to a national convention still further developed the + power of patronage as a party resource, and in the session of 1825-26, + when John Quincy Adams was President, Mr. Benton introduced his report + upon Mr. Macon's resolution declaring the necessity of reducing and + regulating executive patronage; although Mr. Adams, the last of the + Revolutionary line of Presidents, so scorned to misuse patronage that he + leaned backward in standing erect. The pressure for the overthrow of the + constitutional system had grown steadily more angry and peremptory with + the progress of the country, the development of party spirit, the increase + of patronage, the unanticipated consequences of the sole executive power + of removal, and the immense opportunity offered by the four-years' law. It + was a pressure against which Jefferson held the gates by main force, which + was relaxed by the war under Madison and the fusion of parties under + Monroe, but which swelled again into a furious torrent as the later + parties took form. John Quincy Adams adhered, with the tough tenacity of + his father's son, to the best principles of all his predecessors. He + followed Washington, and observed the spirit of the Constitution in + refusing to remove for any reason but official misconduct or incapacity. + But he knew well what was coming, and with characteristically stinging + sarcasm he called General Jackson's inaugural address "a threat of + re-form." With Jackson's administration in 1830 the deluge of the spoils + system burst over our national politics. Sixteen years later, Mr. Buchanan + said in a public speech that General Taylor would be faithless to the Whig + party if he did not proscribe Democrats. So high the deluge had risen + which has ravaged and wasted our politics ever since, and the danger will + be stayed only when every President, leaning upon the law, shall stand + fast where John Quincy Adams stood. + </p> + <p> + But the debate continued during the whole Jackson administration. In the + Senate and on the stump, in elaborate reports and popular speeches, + Webster, Calhoun, and Clay, the great political chiefs of their time, + sought to alarm the country with the dangers of patronage. Sargent S. + Prentiss, in the House of Representatives, caught up and echoed the cry + under the administration of Van Buren. But the country refused to be + alarmed. As the Yankee said of the Americans at the battle of White + Plains, where they were beaten, "The fact is, as far as I can understand, + our folks did n't seem to take no sort of interest in that battle." The + reason that the country took no sort of interest in the discussion of the + evils of patronage was evident. It believed the denunciation to be a mere + party cry, a scream of disappointment and impotence from those who held no + places and controlled no patronage. It heard the leaders of the opposition + fiercely arraigning the administration for proscription and universal + wrong-doing, but it was accustomed by its English tradition and descent + always to hear the Tories cry that the Constitution was in danger when the + Whigs were in power, and the Whigs under a Tory administration to shout + that all was lost. It heard the uproar like the old lady upon her first + railroad journey, who sat serene amid the wreck of a collision, and when + asked if she was much hurt, looked over her spectacles and answered, + blandly, "Hurt? Why, I supposed they always stopped so in this kind of + travelling." The feeling that the denunciation was only a part of the game + of politics, and no more to be accepted as a true statement than Snug the + joiner as a true lion, was confirmed by the fact that when the Whig + opposition came into power with President Harrison, it adopted the very + policy which under Democratic administration it had strenuously denounced + as fatal. The pressure for place was even greater than it had been ten + years before, and although Mr. Webster as Secretary of State maintained + his consistency by putting his name to an executive order asserting sound + principles, the order was swept away like a lamb by a locomotive. + </p> + <p> + Nothing but a miracle, said General Harrison's attorney-general, can feed + the swarm of hungry office-seekers. + </p> + <p> + Adopted by both parties, Mr. Marcy's doctrine that the places in the + public service are the proper spoils of a victorious party, was accepted + as a necessary condition of popular government. One of the highest + officers of the government expounded this doctrine to me long afterwards. + "I believe," said he, "that when the people vote to change a party + administration they vote to change every person of the opposite party who + holds a place, from the President of the United States to the messenger at + my door." It is this extraordinary but sincere misconception of the + function of party in a free government that leads to the serious defence + of the spoils system. Now, a party is merely a voluntary association of + citizens to secure the enforcement of a certain policy of administration + upon which they are agreed. In a free government this is done by the + election of legislators and of certain executive officers who are friendly + to that policy. But the duty of the great body of persons employed in the + minor administrative places is in no sense political. It is wholly + ministerial, and the political opinions of such persons affect the + discharge of their duties no more than their religious views or their + literary preferences. All that can be justly required of such persons, in + the interest of the public business, is honesty, intelligence, capacity, + industry, and due subordination; and to say that, when the policy of the + Government is changed by the result of an election from protection to + free-trade, every book-keeper and letter-carrier and messenger and porter + in the public offices ought to be a free-trader, is as wise as to say that + if a merchant is a Baptist every clerk in his office ought to be a + believer in total immersion. But the officer of whom I spoke undoubtedly + expressed the general feeling. The necessarily evil consequences of the + practice which he justified seemed to be still speculative and + inferential, and to the national indifference which followed the war the + demand of Mr. Jenckes for reform appeared to be a mere whimsical vagary + most inopportunely introduced. + </p> + <p> + It was, however, soon evident that the war had made the necessity of + reform imperative, and chiefly for two reasons: first, the enormous + increase of patronage, and second, the fact that circumstances had largely + identified a party name with patriotism. The great and radical evil of the + spoils system was carefully fostered by the apparent absolute necessity to + the public welfare of making political opinion and sympathy a condition of + appointment to the smallest place. It is since the war, therefore, that + the evil has run riot and that its consequences have been fully revealed. + Those consequences are now familiar, and I shall not describe them. It is + enough that the most patriotic and intelligent Americans and the most + competent foreign observers agree that the direct and logical results of + that system are the dangerous confusion of the executive and legislative + powers of the Government; the conversion of politics into mere + place-hunting; the extension of the mischief to State and county and city + administration, and the consequent degradation of the national character; + the practical disfranchisement of the people wherever the system is most + powerful; and the perversion of a republic of equal citizens into a + despotism of venal politicians. These are the greatest dangers that can + threaten a republic, and they are due to the practice of treating the vast + system of minor public places which are wholly ministerial, and whose + duties are the same under every party administration, not as public + trusts, but as party perquisites. The English-speaking race has a grim + sense of humor, and the absurdity of transacting the public business of a + great nation in a way which would ruin both the trade and the character of + a small huckster, of proceeding upon the theory—for such is the + theory of the spoils system—that a man should be put in charge of a + locomotive because he holds certain views of original sin, or because he + polishes boots nimbly with his tongue—it is a folly so stupendous + and grotesque that when it is fully perceived by the shrewd mother-wit of + the Yankee it will be laughed indignantly and contemptuously away. But the + laugh must have the method, and the indignation the form, of law; and now + that the public mind is aroused to the true nature and tendency of the + spoils system is the time to consider the practicable legal remedy for + them. + </p> + <p> + The whole system of appointments in the Civil Service proceeds from the + President, and in regard to his action the intention of the Constitution + is indisputable. It is that the President shall appoint solely upon public + considerations, and that the officer appointed shall serve as long as he + discharges his duty faithfully. This is shown in Mr. Jefferson's familiar + phrase in his reply to the remonstrance of the merchants of New Haven + against the removal of the collector of that port. Mr. Jefferson asserted + that Mr. Adams had purposely appointed in the last moments of his + administration officers whose designation he should have left to his + successor. Alluding to these appointments, he says: "I shall correct the + procedure, and that done, return with joy to that state of things when the + only question concerning a candidate shall be, Is he honest? Is he + capable? Is he faithful to the Constitution?" Mr. Jefferson here + recognizes that these had been the considerations which had usually + determined appointments; and Mr. Madison, in the debate upon the + President's sole power of removal, declared that if a President should + remove an officer for any reason not connected with efficient service he + would be impeached. Reform, therefore, is merely a return to the principle + and purpose of the Constitution and to the practice of the early + administrations. + </p> + <p> + What more is necessary, then, for reform than that the President should + return to that practice? As all places in the Civil Service are filled + either by his direct nomination or by officers whom he appoints, why has + not any President ample constitutional authority to effect at any moment a + complete and thorough reform? The answer is simple. He has the power. He + has always had it. A President has only to do as Washington did, and all + his successors have only to do likewise, and reform would be complete. + Every President has but to refuse to remove non-political officers for + political or personal reasons; to appoint only those whom he knows to be + competent; to renominate, as Monroe and John Quincy Adams did, every + faithful officer whose commission expires, and to require the heads of + departments and all inferior appointing officers to conform to this + practice, and the work would be done. This is apparently a short and easy + and constitutional method of reform, requiring no further legislation or + scheme of procedure. But why has no President adopted it? For the same + reason that the best of Popes does not reform the abuses of his Church. + For the same reason that a leaf goes over Niagara. It is because the + opposing forces are overpowering. The same high officer of the government + to whom I have alluded said to me as we drove upon the Heights of + Washington, "Do you mean that I ought not to appoint my subordinates for + whom I am responsible?" I answered: "I mean that you do not appoint them + now; I mean that if, when we return to the capital, you hear that your + chief subordinate is dead, you will not appoint his successor. You will + have to choose among the men urged upon you by certain powerful + politicians. Undoubtedly you ought to appoint the man whom you believe to + be the most fit. But you do not and can not. If you could or did appoint + such men only, and that were the rule of your department and of the + service, there would be no need of reform." And he could not deny it. + There was no law to prevent his selection of the best man. Indeed, the law + assumed that he would do it. The Constitution intended that he should do + it. But when I reminded him that there were forces beyond the law that + paralyzed the intention of the Constitution, and which would inevitably + compel him to accept the choice of others, he said no more. + </p> + <p> + It is easy to assert that the reform of the Civil Service is an executive + reform. So it is. But the Executive alone cannot accomplish it. + </p> + <p> + The abuses are now completely and aggressively organized, and the + sturdiest President would quail before them. The President who should + undertake, single-handed, to deal with the complication of administrative + evils known as the Spoils System would find his party leaders in Congress + and their retainers throughout the country arrayed against him; the + proposal to disregard traditions and practices which are regarded as + essential to the very existence and effectiveness of party organization + would be stigmatized as treachery, and the President himself would be + covered with odium as a traitor. The air would hum with denunciation. The + measures he should favor, the appointments he might make, the + recommendations of his secretaries, would be opposed and imperilled, and + the success of his administration would be endangered. A President who + should alone undertake thoroughly to reform the evil must feel it to be + the vital and paramount issue, and must be willing to hazard everything + for its success. He must have the absolute faith and the indomitable will + of Luther. "Here stand I; I can no other." How can we expect a President + whom this system elects to devote himself to its destruction? General + Grant, elected by a spontaneous patriotic impulse, fresh from the + regulated order of military life and new to politics and politicians, saw + the reason and the necessity of reform. The hero of a victorious war, at + the height of his popularity, his party in undisputed and seemingly + indisputable supremacy, made the attempt. Congress, good-naturedly + tolerating what it considered his whim of inexperience, granted money to + try an experiment. The adverse pressure was tremendous. "I am used to + pressure," said the soldier. So he was, but not to this pressure. He was + driven by unknown and incalculable currents. He was enveloped in + whirlwinds of sophistry, scorn, and incredulity. He who upon his own line + had fought it out all summer to victory, upon a line absolutely new and + unknown was naturally bewildered and dismayed. So Wellington had drawn the + lines of victory on the Spanish Peninsula and had saved Europe at + Waterloo. But even Wellington at Waterloo could not be also Sir Robert + Peel at Westminster. Even Wellington, who had overthrown Napoleon in the + field, could not also be the parliamentary hero who for the welfare of his + country would dare to risk the overthrow of his party. + </p> + <p> + When at last President Grant said, "If Congress adjourns without positive + legislation on Civil Service reform, I shall regard such action as a + disapproval of the system and shall abandon it," it was, indeed, a + surrender, but it was the surrender of a champion who had honestly + mistaken both the nature and the strength of the adversary and his own + power of endurance. + </p> + <p> + It is not, then, reasonable, under the conditions of our Government and in + the actual situation, to expect a President to go much faster or much + further than public opinion. But executive action can aid most effectively + the development and movement of that opinion, and the most decisive reform + measures that the present administration might take would be undoubtedly + supported by a powerful public sentiment. The educative results of + resolute executive action, however limited and incomplete in scope, have + been shown in the two great public offices of which I have spoken, the New + York custom-house and the New York post-office. For nearly three years the + entire practicability of reform has been demonstrated in those offices, + and solely by the direction of the President. The value of such + demonstrations, due to the Executive will alone, carried into effect by + thoroughly trained and interested subordinates, cannot be overestimated. + But when they depend upon the will of a transient officer and not upon a + strong public conviction, they are seeds that have no depth of soil. A + vital and enduring reform in administrative methods, although it be but a + return to the constitutional intention, can be accomplished only by the + commanding impulse of public opinion. Permanence is secured by law, not by + individual pleasure. But in this country law is only formulated public + opinion. Reform of the Civil Service does not contemplate an invasion of + the constitutional prerogative of the President and the Senate, nor does + it propose to change the Constitution by statute. The whole system of the + Civil Service proceeds, as I said, from the President, and the object of + the reform movement is to enable him to fulfil the intention of the + Constitution by revealing to him the desire of the country through the + action of its authorized representatives. When the ground-swell of public + opinion lifts Congress from the rocks, the President will gladly float + with it into the deep water of wise and patriotic action. The President, + indeed, has never been the chief sinner in the Spoils System, although he + has been the chief agent. Even President Jackson yielded to party pressure + as much as to his own convictions. President Harrison sincerely wished to + stay the flood, but it swept him away. President Grant doubtfully and with + good intentions tested the pressure before yielding. President Hayes, with + sturdy independence, adhered inflexibly to a few points, but his party + chiefs cursed and derided him. President Garfield,—God bless and + restore him!—frankly declares permanent and effective reform to be + impossible without the consent of Congress. When, therefore, Congress + obeys a commanding public opinion, and reflects it in legislation, it will + restore to the President the untrammelled exercise of his ample + constitutional powers according to the constitutional intention; and the + practical question of reform is, How shall this be brought about? + </p> + <p> + Now, it is easy to kill weeds if we can destroy their roots, and it is not + difficult to determine what the principle of reform legislation should be + if we can agree upon the source of the abuses to be reformed. May they not + have a common origin? In fact, are they not all bound together as parts of + one system? The Representative in Congress, for instance, does not ask + whether the interests of the public service require this removal or that + appointment, but whether, directly or indirectly, either will best serve + his own interests. The Senator acts from the same motives. The President, + in turn, balances between the personal interests of leading politicians—President, + Senators, and Representatives all wishing to pay for personal service and + to conciliate personal influence. So also the party labor required of the + place-holder, the task of carrying caucuses, of defeating one man and + electing another, as may be ordered, the payment of the assessment levied + upon his salary—all these are the price of the place. They are the + taxes paid by him as conditions of receiving a personal favor. Thus the + abuses have a common source, whatever may be the plea for the system from + which they spring. Whether it be urged that the system is essential to + party organization, or that the desire for place is a laudable political + ambition, or that the Spoils System is a logical development of our + political philosophy, or that new brooms sweep clean, or that any other + system is un-American—whatever the form of the plea for the abuse, + the conclusion is always the same, that the minor places in the Civil + Service are not public trusts, but rewards and prizes for personal and + political favorites. + </p> + <p> + The root of the complex evil, then, is personal favoritism. This produces + congressional dictation, senatorial usurpation, arbitrary removals, + interference in elections, political assessments, and all the consequent + corruption, degradation, and danger that experience has disclosed. The + method of reform, therefore, must be a plan of selection for appointment + which makes favoritism impossible. The general feeling undoubtedly is that + this can be accomplished by a fixed limited term. But the terms of most of + the offices to which the President and the Senate appoint, and upon which + the myriad minor places in the service depend, have been fixed and limited + for sixty years, yet it is during that very period that the chief evils of + personal patronage have appeared. The law of 1820, which limited the term + of important revenue offices to four years, and which was afterwards + extended to other offices, was intended, as John Quincy Adams tells us, to + promote the election to the presidency of Mr. Crawford, who was then + Secretary of the Treasury. The law was drawn by Mr. Crawford himself, and + it was introduced into the Senate by one of his devoted partisans. It + placed the whole body of executive financial officers at the mercy of the + Secretary of the Treasury and of a majority of the Senate, and its design, + as Mr. Adams says, "was to secure for Mr. Crawford the influence of all + the incumbents in office, at the peril of displacement, and of five or ten + times an equal number of ravenous office-seekers, eager to supplant them." + This is the very substance of the Spoils System, intentionally introduced + by a fixed limitation of term in place of the constitutional tenure of + efficient service; and it was so far successful that it made the + custom-house officers, district attorneys, marshals, registers of the + land-office, receivers of public money, and even paymasters in the army, + notoriously active partisans of Mr. Crawford. Mr. Benton says that the + four-years' law merely made the dismissal of faithful officers easier, + because the expiration of the term was regarded as "the creation of a + vacancy to be filled by new appointments." A fixed limited term for the + chief offices has not destroyed or modified personal influence, but, on + the contrary, it has fostered universal servility and loss of + self-respect, because reappointment depends, not upon official fidelity + and efficiency, but upon personal influence and favor. To fix by law the + terms of places dependent upon such offices would be like an attempt to + cure hydrophobia by the bite of a mad dog. The incumbent would be always + busy keeping his influence in repair to secure reappointment, and the + applicant would be equally busy in seeking such influence to procure the + place, and as the fixed terms would be constantly expiring, the eager and + angry intrigue and contest of influence would be as endless as it is now. + This certainly would not be reform. + </p> + <p> + But would not reform be secured by adding to a fixed limited term the + safeguard of removal for cause only? Removal for cause alone means, of + course, removal for legitimate cause, such as dishonesty, negligence, or + incapacity. But who shall decide that such cause exists? This must be + determined either by the responsible superior officer or by some other + authority. But if left to some other authority the right of counsel and + the forms of a court would be invoked; the whole legal machinery of + mandamuses, injunctions, <i>certioraris</i>, and the rules of evidence + would be put in play to keep an incompetent clerk at his desk or a sleepy + watchman on his beat. Cause for the removal of a letter-carrier in the + post-office or of an accountant in the custom-house would be presented + with all the pomp of impeachment and established like a high crime and + misdemeanor. Thus every clerk in every office would have a kind of vested + interest in his place because, however careless, slovenly, or troublesome + he might be, he could be displaced only by an elaborate and doubtful legal + process. Moreover, if the head of a bureau or a collector, or a postmaster + were obliged to prove negligence, or insolence, or incompetency against a + clerk as he would prove theft, there would be no removals from the public + service except for crimes of which the penal law takes cognizance. + Consequently, removal would be always and justly regarded as a stigma upon + character, and a man removed from a position in a public office would be + virtually branded as a convicted criminal. Removal for cause, therefore, + if the cause were to be decided by any authority but that of the + responsible superior officer, instead of improving, would swiftly and + enormously enhance the cost, and ruin the efficiency, of the public + service, by destroying subordination, and making every lazy and worthless + member of it twice as careless and incompetent as he is now. + </p> + <p> + If, then, the legitimate cause for removal ought to be determined in + public as in private business by the responsible appointing power, it is + of the highest public necessity that the exercise of that power should be + made as absolutely honest and independent as possible. But how can it be + made honest and independent if it is not protected so far as practicable + from the constant bribery of selfish interest and the illicit solicitation + of personal influence? The experience of our large patronage offices + proves conclusively that the cause of the larger number of removals is not + dishonesty or incompetency; it is the desire to make vacancies to fill. + This is the actual cause, whatever cause may be assigned. The removals + would not be made except for the pressure of politicians. But those + politicians would not press for removals if they could not secure the + appointment of their favorites. Make it impossible for them to secure + appointment, and the pressure would instantly disappear and arbitrary + removal cease. + </p> + <p> + So long, therefore, as we permit minor appointments to be made by mere + personal influence and favor, a fixed limited term and removal during that + term for cause only would not remedy the evil, because the incumbents + would still be seeking influence to secure re-appointment, and the + aspirants doing the same to replace them. Removal under plea of good cause + would be as wanton and arbitrary as it is now, unless the power to remove + were intrusted to some other discretion than that of the superior officer, + and in that case the struggle for reappointment and the knowledge that + removal for the term was practically impossible would totally demoralize + the service. To make sure, then, that removals shall be made for + legitimate cause only, we must provide that appointment shall be made only + for legitimate cause. + </p> + <p> + All roads lead to Rome. Personal influence in appointments can be annulled + only by free and open competition. By that bridge we can return to the + practice of Washington and to the intention of the Constitution. That is + the shoe of swiftness and the magic sword by which the President can + pierce and outrun the protean enemy of sophistry and tradition which + prevents him from asserting his power. If you say that success in a + competitive literary examination does not prove fitness to adjust customs + duties, or to distribute letters, or to appraise linen, or to measure + molasses, I answer that the reform does not propose that fitness shall be + proved by a competitive literary examination. It proposes to annul + personal influence and political favoritism by making appointment depend + upon proved capacity. To determine this it proposes first to test the + comparative general intelligence of all applicants and their special + knowledge of the particular official duties required, and then to prove + the practical faculty of the most intelligent applicants by actual trial + in the performance of the duties before they are appointed. If it be still + said that success in such a competition may not prove fitness, it is + enough to reply that success in obtaining the favor of some kind of boss, + which is the present system, presumptively proves unfitness. + </p> + <p> + Nor is it any objection to the reformed system that many efficient + officers in the service could not have entered it had it been necessary to + pass an examination; it is no objection, because their efficiency is a + mere chance. They were not appointed because of efficiency, but either + because they were diligent politicians or because they were recommended by + diligent politicians. The chance of getting efficient men in any business + is certainly not diminished by inquiry and investigation. I have heard an + officer in the army say that he could select men from the ranks for + special duty much more satisfactorily than they could be selected by an + examination. Undoubtedly he could, because he knows his men, and he + selects solely by his knowledge of their comparative fitness. If this were + true of the Civil Service, if every appointing officer chose the fittest + person from those that he knew, there would be no need of reform. It is + because he cannot do this that the reform is necessary. + </p> + <p> + It is the same kind of objection which alleges that competition is a droll + plan by which to restore the conduct of the public business to business + principles and methods, since no private business selects its agents by + competition. But the managers of private business are virtually free from + personal influence in selecting their subordinates, and they employ and + promote and dismiss them solely for the interests of the business. Their + choice, however, is determined by an actual, although not a formal, + competition. Like the military officer, they select those whom they know + by experience to be the most competent. But if great business-houses and + corporations were exposed to persistent, insolent, and overpowering + interference and solicitation for place such as obstructs great public + departments and officers, they too would resort to the form of + competition, as they now have its substance, and they would resort to it + to secure the very freedom which they now enjoy of selecting for fitness + alone. + </p> + <p> + Mr. President, in the old Arabian story, from the little box upon the + sea-shore, carelessly opened by the fisherman, arose the towering and + haughty demon, ever more monstrous and more threatening, who would not + crouch again. So from the small patronage of the earlier day, from a Civil + Service dealing with a national revenue of only $2,000,000, and regulated + upon sound business principles, has sprung the un-American, un-Democratic, + un-Republican system which destroys political independence, honor, and + morality, and corrodes the national character itself. In the solemn + anxiety of this hour the warning words of the austere Calhoun, uttered + nearly half a century ago, echo in startled recollection like words of + doom: "If you do not put this thing down it will put you down." Happily it + is the historic faith of the race from which we are chiefly sprung, that + eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. It is that faith which has made + our mother England the great parent of free States. The same faith has + made America the political hope of the world. Fortunately removed by our + position from the entanglements of European politics, and more united and + peaceful at home than at any time within the memory of living men, the + moment is most auspicious for remedying that abuse in our political system + whose nature, proportions, and perils the whole country begins clearly to + discern. The will and the power to apply the remedy will be a test of the + sagacity and the energy of the people. The reform of which I have spoken + is essentially the people's reform. With the instinct of robbers who run + with the crowd and lustily cry "Stop thief!" those who would make the + public service the monopoly of a few favorites denounce the determination + to open that service to the whole people as a plan to establish an + aristocracy. The huge ogre of patronage, gnawing at the character, the + honor, and the life of the country, grimly sneers that the people cannot + help themselves and that nothing can be done. But much greater things have + been done. Slavery was the Giant Despair of many good men of the last + generation, but slavery was overthrown. If the Spoils System, a monster + only less threatening than slavery, be unconquerable, it is because the + country has lost its convictions, its courage, and its common-sense. "I + expect," said the Yankee as he surveyed a stout antagonist, "I expect that + you 're pretty ugly, but I cal'late I 'm a darned sight uglier." I know + that patronage is strong, but I believe that the American people are very + much stronger. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CARL SCHURZ, + </h2> + <h3> + OF NEW YORK. (BORN 1829.) + </h3> + <p> + THE NECESSITY AND PROGRESS OF CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. + </p> + <p> + An Address delivered at the Annual Meeting of the National Civil Service + Reform League at Chicago, Ill., December 12, 1894. + </p> + <p> + What Civil Service reform demands, is simply that the business part of the + Government shall be carried on in a sound, business-like manner. This + seems so obviously reasonable that among people of common-sense there + should be no two opinions about it. And the condition of things to be + reformed is so obviously unreasonable, so flagrantly absurd and vicious, + that we should not believe it could possibly exist among sensible people, + had we not become accustomed to its existence among ourselves. In truth, + we can hardly bring the whole exorbitance of that viciousness and + absurdity home to our own minds unless we contemplate it as reflected in + the mirror of a simile. + </p> + <p> + Imagine, then, a bank, the stockholders of which, many in number, are + divided into two factions—let us call them the Jones party and the + Smith party—who quarrel about some question of business policy, as, + for instance, whether the bank is to issue currency or not. The Jones + party is in control, but the Smith men persuade over to their side a + sufficient number of Jones men to give them—the Smith men—a + majority at the next stockholders' meeting. Thus they succeed in getting + the upper hand. They oust the old board of directors, and elect a new + board consisting of Smith men. The new Smith board at once remove all the + officers, president, cashier, tellers, book-keepers, and clerks, down to + the messenger boys—the good and the bad alike—simply because + they are Jones men, and fill their places forth-with with new persons who + are selected, not on the ground that they have in any way proved their + fitness for the positions so filled, but simply because they are Smith + men; and those of the Smith men who have shown the greatest zeal and skill + in getting a majority of votes for the Smith party are held to have the + strongest claims for salaried places in the bank. The new men struggle + painfully with the duties novel to them until they acquire some + experience, but even then, it needs in many instances two men or more to + do the work of one. + </p> + <p> + In the course of events dissatisfaction spreads among the stockholders + with the Smith management, partly shared by ambitious Smith men who + thought themselves entitled to reward in the shape of places and salaries, + but were "left out in the cold." Now the time for a new stockholders' + meeting arrives. After a hot fight the Jones party carries the day. Its + ticket of directors being elected, off go the heads of the Smith + president, the Smith cashier, the Smith tellers, the Smith bookkeepers, + and clerks, to be replaced by true-blue Jones men, who have done the work + of the campaign and are expected to do more of it when the next election + comes. And so the career of the bank goes on with its periodical changes + of party in power at longer or shorter intervals, and its corresponding + clean sweeps of the bank service, with mismanagement and occasional fraud + and peculation as inevitable incidents. + </p> + <p> + You might watch the proceedings of such a banking concern with intense + curiosity and amusement. But I ask you, what prudent man among you would + deposit his money in it, or invest in its stock? And why would you not? + Because you would think that this is not sensible men's business, but + foolish boys' play; that such management would necessarily result in + reckless waste and dishonesty, and tend to land many of the bank's + officers in Canada, and not a few of its depositors or investors in the + poor-house. Such would be your judgment, and in pronouncing it you would + at the same time pronounce judgment upon the manner in which the business + part of our national Government, as well as of many if not most of our + State and municipal governments, has been conducted for several + generations. This is the spoils system. And I have by no means presented + an exaggerated or even a complete picture of it; nay, rather a mild + sketch, indicating only with faint touches the demoralizing influences + exercised by that system with such baneful effect upon the whole political + life of the nation. + </p> + <p> + Looking at the financial side of the matter alone—it is certainly + bad enough; it is indeed almost incomprehensible how the spoils system + could be permitted through scores of years to vitiate our business methods + in the conduct of the national revenue service, the postal service, the + Indian service, the public-land service, involving us in indescribable + administrative blunders, bringing about Indian wars, causing immense + losses in the revenue, breeding extravagant and plundering practices in + all Departments, costing our people in the course of time untold hundreds + of millions of money, and making our Government one of the most wasteful + in the world. All this, I say, is bad enough. It might be called + discreditable enough to move any self-respecting people to shame. But the + spoils system has inflicted upon the American people injuries far greater + than these. + </p> + <p> + The spoils system, that practice which turns public offices, high and low, + from public trusts into objects of prey and booty for the victorious + party, may without extravagance of language be called one of the greatest + criminals in our history, if not the greatest. In the whole catalogue of + our ills there is none more dangerous to the vitality of our free + institutions. + </p> + <p> + It tends to divert our whole political life from its true aims. It teaches + men to seek something else in politics than the public good. + </p> + <p> + It puts mercenary selfishness as the motive power for political action in + the place of public spirit, and organizes that selfishness into a dominant + political force. + </p> + <p> + It attracts to active party politics the worst elements of our population, + and with them crowds out the best. It transforms political parties from + associations of patriotic citizens, formed to serve a public cause, into + bands of mercenaries using a cause to serve them. It perverts party + contests from contentions of opinion into scrambles for plunder. By + stimulating the mercenary spirit it promotes the corrupt use of money in + party contests and in elections. + </p> + <p> + It takes the leadership of political organizations out of the hands of men + fit to be leaders of opinion and workers for high aims, and turns it over + to the organizers and leaders of bands of political marauders. It creates + the boss and the machine, putting the boss into the place of the + statesman, and the despotism of the machine in the place of an organized + public opinion. + </p> + <p> + It converts the public office-holder, who should be the servant of the + people, into the servant of a party or of an influential politician, + extorting from him time and work which should belong to the public, and + money which he receives from the public for public service. It corrupts + his sense of duty by making him understand that his obligation to his + party or his political patron is equal if not superior to his obligation + to the public interest, and that his continuance in office does not depend + on his fidelity to duty. It debauches his honesty by seducing him to use + the opportunities of his office to indemnify himself for the burdens + forced upon him as a party slave. It undermines in all directions the + discipline of the public service. + </p> + <p> + It falsifies our constitutional system. It leads to the usurpation, in a + large measure, of the executive power of appointment by members of the + legislative branch, substituting their irresponsible views of personal or + party interest for the judgment as to the public good and the sense of + responsibility of the Executive. It subjects those who exercise the + appointing power, from the President of the United States down, to the + intrusion of hordes of office-hunters and their patrons, who rob them of + the time and strength they should devote to the public interest. It has + already killed two of our Presidents, one, the first Harrison, by worry, + and the other, Garfield, by murder; and more recently it has killed a + mayor in Chicago and a judge in Tennessee. + </p> + <p> + It degrades our Senators and Representatives in Congress to the + contemptible position of office-brokers, and even of mere agents of + office-brokers, making the business of dickering about spoils as weighty + to them as their duties as legislators. It introduces the patronage as an + agency of corrupt influence between the Executive and the Legislature. It + serves to obscure the criminal character of bribery by treating bribery + with offices as a legitimate practice. It thus reconciles the popular mind + to practices essentially corrupt, and thereby debauches the popular sense + of right and wrong in politics. + </p> + <p> + It keeps in high political places, to the exclusion of better men, persons + whose only ability consists in holding a personal following by adroit + manipulation of the patronage. It has thus sadly lowered the standard of + statesmanship in public position, compared with the high order of ability + displayed in all other walks of life. + </p> + <p> + It does more than anything else to turn our large municipalities into + sinks of corruption, to render Tammany Halls possible, and to make of the + police force here and there a protector of crime and a terror to those + whose safety it is to guard. It exposes us, by the scandalous spectacle of + its periodical spoils carnivals, to the ridicule and contempt of civilized + mankind, promoting among our own people the growth of serious doubts as to + the practicability of democratic institutions on a great scale; and in an + endless variety of ways it introduces into our political life more + elements of demoralization, debasement, and decadence than any other + agency of evil I know of, aye, perhaps more than all other agencies of + evil combined. + </p> + <p> + These are some of the injuries the spoils system has been, and still is, + inflicting upon this Republic—some, I say; not all, for it is + impossible to follow its subtle virus into all the channels through which + it exercises its poisonous influence. But I have said enough to illustrate + its pernicious effects; and what I have said is only the teaching of sober + observation and long experience. + </p> + <p> + And now, if such are the evils of the spoils system, what are, by way of + compensation, the virtues it possesses, and the benefits it confers? Let + its defenders speak. They do not pretend that it gives us a very efficient + public service; but they tell us that it is essentially American; that it + is necessary in order to keep alive among our people an active interest in + public affairs; that frequent rotation in office serves to give the people + an intelligent insight in the nature and workings of their Government; + that without it parties cannot be held together, and party government is + impossible; and that all the officers and employees of the Government + should be in political harmony with the party in power. Let us pass the + points of this defence in review one by one. + </p> + <p> + First, then, in what sense can the spoils system be called essentially + American? Certainly not as to its origin. At the beginning of our national + Government nothing like it was known here, or dreamed of. Had anything + like it been proposed, the fathers of the Republic would have repelled it + with alarm and indignation. It did, indeed, prevail in England when the + monarchy was much stronger than it is now, and when the aristocracy could + still be called a ruling class. But as the British Government grew more + democratic, the patronage system, as a relic of feudalism, had to yield to + the forces of liberalism and enlightenment until it completely + disappeared. When it invaded our national Government, forty years after + its constitutional beginning, we merely took what England was casting off + as an abuse inconsistent with popular government, and unworthy of a free + and civilized nation. If not in origin, is the spoils system essentially + American in any other sense? Only in the sense in which murder is + American, or small-pox, or highway robbery, or Tammany Hall. + </p> + <p> + As to the spoils system being necessary to the end of keeping alive among + our people an active interest in public affairs—where is the + American who does not blush to utter such an infamous calumny? Is there no + patriotism in America without plunder in sight? Was there no public spirit + before spoils systems and clean sweeps cursed us, none between the battle + of Lexington and Jackson's inauguration as President? Such an argument + deserves as an answer only a kick from every honest American boot. + </p> + <p> + I admit, however, that there are among us some persons whose interest in + public affairs does need the stimulus of office to remain alive. I am far + from denying that the ambition to serve one's country as a public officer + is in itself a perfectly legitimate and honorable ambition. It certainly + is. But when a man's interest in public affairs depends upon his drawing + an official salary, or having such a salary in prospect, the ambition does + not appear so honorable. There is too pungent a mercenary flavor about it. + No doubt, even among the mercenaries may be found individuals that are + capable, faithful, and useful; but taking them as a class, the men whose + active public spirit is conditional upon the possession or prospect of + official spoil are those whose interest in public affairs the commonweal + can most conveniently spare. Indeed, our political life would be in a much + healthier condition if they did not take any part in politics at all. + There would be plenty of patriotic Americans to devote themselves to the + public good without such a condition. In fact, there would be more of that + class in regular political activity than there are now, for they would not + be jostled out by the pushing hordes of spoils-hunters, whose real + interest in public affairs is that of serving themselves. The spoils + system is therefore not only not a stimulus of true public spirit, but in + spreading the mercenary tendency among the people it has served to baffle + and discourage true public spirit by the offensive infusion in political + life of the mercenary element. + </p> + <p> + The view that the spoils system with its frequent rotations in office is + needed to promote among the people a useful understanding of the nature + and workings of the Government, finds, amazing as it may seem, still + serious adherents among well-meaning citizens. It is based upon the + assumption that the public service which is instituted to do certain + business for the people, should at the same time serve as a school in + which ignorant persons are to learn something about the functions of the + Government. These two objects will hardly go together. If the public + service is to do its business with efficiency and economy, it must of + course be manned with persons fit for the work. If on the other hand it is + to be used as a school to instruct ignorant people in the functions of the + Government—that is, in the duties of a postmaster, or a revenue + collector, or an Indian agent, or a Department clerk—then we should + select for such places persons who know least about them, for they have + the most to learn; and inasmuch as such persons, before having acquired + the necessary knowledge, skill, and experience, will inevitably do the + public business in a bungling manner, and therefore at much inconvenience + and loss to the people, they should, in justice to the taxpayers, instead + of drawing salaries, pay something for the instruction they receive. For + as soon as they have learned enough really to earn a salary, they will + have to be turned out to make room for others, who are as ignorant and in + as great need of instruction as the outgoing set had been before. + Evidently this kindergarten theory of the public service is hardly worth + discussion. The school of the spoils system, as it has been in operation + since 1829, has educated thousands of political loafers, but not one + political sage. + </p> + <p> + That the Government will not work satisfactorily unless all its officers + and employees are in political harmony with the ruling party, is also one + of those superstitions which some estimable people have not yet been able + to shake off. While they sternly resist the argument that there is no + Democratic and no Republican way of sorting letters, or of collecting + taxes, or of treating Indians, as theoretical moonshine, their belief + must, after all, have received a rude shock by the conduct of the last + three national Administrations, including the present one. + </p> + <p> + When in 1885, after twenty-four years of Republican ascendency, the + Democrats came into power, President Cleveland determined that, as a + general rule, officers holding places covered by the four-years-term law + should, if they had conducted themselves irreproachably, be permitted to + serve out their four-years terms. How strictly this rule was adhered to I + will not now inquire. At any rate it was adhered to in a great many cases. + Many Republican office-holders, under that four-years rule, remained in + place one, or two, or three years under the Democratic Administration. + President Harrison, succeeding Mr. Cleveland, followed a similar rule, + although to a less extent. And now President Cleveland again does the + same. Not only did we have during his first term the startling spectacle + of the great post-office of New York City remaining in the hands of a + postmaster who was not a Democrat, but recently of the Collectorship of + the port of New York, once considered the most important political office + in the country, being left for a year or more in possession of a + Republican. + </p> + <p> + It is clear, the Presidents who acted thus did not believe that the public + interest required all the officers of the Government to be in harmony with + the party in power. On the contrary, they thought that the public interest + was served by keeping efficient officers in their places, for a + considerable time at least, although they were not in such harmony. And no + doubt all sensible people admit that the common weal did not suffer + therefrom. The theory of the necessity of political accord between the + administrative officers of the Government and the party in power has thus + been thoroughly exploded by actual practice and experience. Being obliged + to admit this, candid men, it is to be hoped, will go a step further in + their reasoning. If those two Presidents were right in thinking that the + public welfare was served by keeping meritorious officers not belonging to + the ruling party in place until they had served four years, is it not + wrong to deprive the country of the services of such men, made especially + valuable by their accumulated experience and the training of their skill, + by turning them out after the lapse of the four years? If it was for the + public interest to keep them so long, is it not against the public + interest not to keep them longer? + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + But all these evidences of progress I regard as of less importance than + the strength our cause has gained in public sentiment. Of this we had a + vivid illustration when a year ago, upon the motion of Mr. Richard Watson + Gilder, the Anti-Spoils League was set on foot for the purpose of opening + communication and facilitating correspondence and, in case of need, + concert of action with the friends of Civil Service reform throughout the + country, and when, in a short space of time, about 10,000 citizens sent in + their adhesion, representing nearly every State and Territory of the + Union, and in them, the most enlightened and influential classes of + society. + </p> + <p> + More encouraging still is the circumstance that now for the first time we + welcome at our annual meeting not only the familiar faces of old friends, + but also representatives of other organizations—Good Government + clubs, working for the purification of politics; municipal leagues, whose + aim is the reform of municipal governments; and commercial bodies, urging + the reform of our consular service. We welcome them with especial warmth, + for their presence proves that at last the true significance of Civil + Service reform is being appreciated in constantly widening circles. The + Good Government Club understands that if the moral tone of our politics, + national or local, is to be lifted up, the demoralizing element of party + spoil must be done away with. The Municipal League understands that if our + large municipalities are to be no longer cesspools of corruption, if our + municipal governments are to be made honest and business-like, if our + police forces are to be kept clear of thugs and thieves, the appointments + to places in the municipal service must be withdrawn from the influence of + party bosses and ward ruffians, and must be strictly governed by the merit + system. The merchants understand that if our consular service is to be an + effective help to American commerce, and a credit to the American name, it + must not be subject to periodical partisan lootings, and our consuls must + not be appointed by way of favor to some influential politician, but upon + a methodical ascertainment of their qualifications for the consular + business; then to be promoted according to merit, and also to be salaried + as befits respectable agents and representatives of a great nation. With + this understanding, every Good Government Club, every Municipal League, + every Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade must be an active Civil + Service Reform Association. But more than this. Every intelligent and + unprejudiced citizen, when he candidly inquires into the developments + which have brought about the present state of things, will understand that + of the evils which have so alarmingly demoralized our political life, and + so sadly lowered this Republic in the respect of the world, many, if not + most, had their origin, and find their sustenance, in that practice which + treats the public offices as the plunder of victorious parties; that as, + with the increase of our population, the growth of our wealth, and the + multiplication of our public interests, the functions of government expand + and become more complicated, those evils will grow and eventually destroy + the very vitality of our free institutions, unless their prolific source + be stopped; that this force can be effectually stopped not by mere + occasional spasms of indignant virtue, but only by a systematic, thorough, + and permanent reform. Every patriotic citizen understanding this must be a + Civil Service reformer. + </p> + <p> + You may ask how far this understanding has penetrated our population. + President Cleveland answers this question in his recent message. Listen to + what he says: "The advantages to the public service of an adherence to the + principles of Civil Service Reform are constantly more apparent, and + nothing is so encouraging to those in official life who honestly desire + good government, as the increasing appreciation by our people of these + advantages. A vast majority of the voters of the land are ready to insist + that the time and attention of those they select to perform for them + important public duties should not be distracted by doling out minor + offices, and they are growing to be unanimous in regarding party + organization as something that should be used in establishing party + principles instead of dictating the distribution of public places as + rewards for partisan activity." + </p> + <p> + With gladness I welcome this cheering assurance, coming from so high an + authority. If such is the sense of "a vast majority of the voters of the + land, growing to be unanimous," it may justly be called the will of the + people. If it is the will of the people, what reason—nay, what + excuse—can there be for further hesitation? Let the will of the + people be done! Let it be done without needless delay, and let the + people's President lead in doing it! Then no more spoils and plunder! No + more removals not required by public interest! No more appointments for + partisan reasons! Continuance in office, regardless of any four-years + rule, of meritorious public servants! Superior merit the only title to + preferment! No longer can this be airily waved aside as a demand of a mere + sect of political philosophers, for now it is recognized as the people's + demand. No longer can Civil Service reform be cried down by the so-called + practical politicians as the nebulous dream of unpractical visionaries, + for it has been grasped by the popular understanding as a practical + necessity—not to enervate our political life, but to lift it to a + higher moral plane; not to destroy political parties, but to restore them + to their legitimate functions; not to make party government impossible, + but to guard it against debasement, and to inspire it with higher + ambitions; not pretending to be in itself the consummation of all reforms, + but being the Reform without which other reformatory efforts in government + cannot be permanently successful. + </p> + <p> + Never, gentlemen, have we met under auspices more propitious. Let no + exertion be spared to make the voice of the people heard. For when it is + heard in its strength it will surely be obeyed. heard in its strength it + will surely be obeyed. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's American Eloquence, Volume IV. (of 4), by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AMERICAN ELOQUENCE, IV. *** + +***** This file should be named 15394-h.htm or 15394-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/3/9/15394/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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