to benefit Eastern capital. The American
system was having a rough time and bidding fair to die out, when the
sectional issue between the North and South culminated in war, and
driving not only the South but the democracy from the government, left
the paternal party in power.

This organization was made up mainly of Whigs. The abrupt dissolution
of that party threw in the newly formed Republican organization the
majority that from the first until now has governed its movements. How
patriotic a party founded on property is, we learn from its first act
after securing control of Congress. In the terrible war that followed
secession, the greatest of dangers that threatened success was in
European interference. Common sense, to say nothing of patriotism,
dictated that Congress should at least abstain from measures likely to
offend the governments abroad, if it did not do all in its power to
conciliate. Greed recognized no such duty. Almost the first measure of
any importance introduced and passed to a law was the Morrill tariff,
that slapped the greatest war powers of Europe in the face. Under
pretence of raising a war revenue, they made a deadly attack on
resource from that source, for they well knew that as they increased
the duties they lessened the income.

The panic and distress that followed this measure in all the markets
of the world can well account for the deadly hostility to our
government felt abroad. Small wonder that while arms were furnished
the South in the greatest abundance, cruisers were fitted out in
English ports to prey upon our helpless commerce. The greater danger
of official recognition was only averted by the stubborn stand taken
by Great Britain; and as it was, we now know that had the South been
able to continue the war ninety days longer that intervention would
have come. A French army, sent there for that purpose, would have
invaded our lands from Mexico, while the fleets of allied France and
England would have dissipated our so-called blockade, lifted the
Confederacy's financial credit to par, and we would have been called
on to make terms of peace at Philadelphia.

All this gathered evil was shattered at Nashville by the gallant
Thomas and his noble Army of the Cumberland, when he not only defeated
the fifty thousand veterans under Hood, but annihilated an army.

This was the birth of the communism of wealth that is to govern our
country for the next four years. Of course it is absurd to