It has done it not only without help, but
over the constant opposition of its Democratic antagonist.
Every State that went into the Rebellion has been restored
to its place in the Union.
There has been complete and universal amnesty. No man has
been punished for his share in the Rebellion.
In spite of dishonest and subtle counsel, and in spite of
great temptation, we have dealt with the public debt on the
simple and honest principle that the only thing to do with a
debt is to pay it. The National credit is the best in the
world, and the National debt has ceased to be an object either
of anxiety or consideration.
Specie payments have been resumed. Every dollar issued by
the Government, or by national banks under government authority,
passes current like gold. Indeed the ease with which it can
be transported and the certainty of its redemption makes the
paper money of the United States better than gold.
The United States has joined the commercial nations of the
first rank in making gold the world's standard of value.
In doing this we have never departed from the theoretical
principle of bimetallism as announced by Hamilton and Washington
and Webster and all our statesmen without exception down to
1869.
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