Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-07-12

hon. Fdicad Ncfierson, amt others, C0D'mWef
Of he Republican National Contention
GENrLEMfN;-In reply 10 your official commit
nication Of June 10Th, by which ! am Informed oi
my nomination for the office Of President Of the
United States by the Republican National Con
vcntion at Cincinnati accept the nomination with
gratitude. hoping that under Providence ifclccicdi
shall be able to execute the duties OF the high
Office A. trust for the benefit Of all the people
do not deem il necessary 10 enter upon any eN-
tended examination Of the declaration Of pin
ciplcs made by the convention. The resolutions
are in accord with my views and heartily
concur in the principles they announce. In sew
eral Of the resolutions, however, questions are
considered which are Of such importance that
deem it proper to briefly express my convictions
in regard to them.
CIVIL SERVICE HErORM
The fifth resolution adopted by the convention
Is Of paramount interest More than forty years
ago system Of making appointments to Office.
grew up based upon the maxim "to the ,ictors
belong the spoils" The old rule, the true rule
that honesty, capacity and Adclity constitute the
only real qualifications for office and that there
was no other claim gave place to the idea that
party services are to be chiefly considered Nj
parties in practice have adopted this system 1t
has been especially modified since its first intro
ducton It has not, however, been improved
At first, the President, either directly or through
the heads Of departments, made all appointments
but gradually the appointing power in many
cases, passed into the control Of members Of Con
gross The offices in these cases have become not
merely rewards for party services, but rewards
for services to party leaders This system de
stroys the independence Of the separate depart
ments Of the government.
n rENps niRECrtN TO ENrRNVAGANCr AND
OFFICIAL tNCArAClrN;
h is temptation TO dishonesty; it hinders and
impairs that careful supervision and strict ac-
countabity by which alone faithful and efficient
public service can he secured ii obstructs prompt
removal and sure punishment of the unworthy in
every way It degrades the civil service aud the
character Of the government it Is felt, am con
Gdent, By a large majority Of the members OF
Congress to be an mtolcnble burden and an I'M
warnntable hindrauce to the proper discharge Of
their legitimate duties 1t ought To be abolished
The reform should be thorough, radical and com
plete we should return TO the principles and
practice Of the founders Of the government sup
ply 10y legislation, when needed that which was
formerly an established custom. They neither
expected nor desired from the public officer any
partisan service; they meant that public officers
should owe their whole service 10 the government
and to the people they meant that the officer
should be secured in his tenure as long as his per-
sonal character remained untanished and the
performance OF his duties satisfactory II elected
/ shall conduct the administration Of the govern
ment ON these principles, and all constitutional
powers vested in the Executive will he employed
to establish this reform.
ONLY oSE rrRM
The declaration Of principles by the Cincinnati
Convention makes no announcement in favor ola
single Presidential term do not assume to add
to that declaration but believing that the restor-
ton Of the civil service to the system established
by Washington and followed hy the early Presi-
dent can be best accomplished by an Executive
who is under no temptation to Use the patronage
of his Office to promote his own reelection de
sire to perform what regard a duty in stating
now my indexible purpose, if elected, not to be a
candidate for election to a second term
THE cUmuNcY QUESTION.
ON the curreuc, question / have frequently OK
pressed my views in public, and | stand by my
views on this subject. regard all the laws OF
the United States relating to the payment Of pub
lie Indebtedness, the legal tender notes as consti-
tuting pledge, moral obligation ON the govern
ment, which must in good faith be kept 1t /,
my conviction that the feeling Of uncertainty in
separlble from an irredeemable paper currency
with fluctuations of values, is one Of the great OBJ
stacles to a revival Of confidence and business and
to a return Of prosperity That uncertainty car
be ended in but one way, the resumption oil
/ specie payments But the longer the instability
connected with our present money system is per
mitted to continue the greater will be the injury
inflicted upon our commercial interests and al
classes Of society. II elected, shall approve
every appropriate measure to accomplish the de
sired end aud shall oppose any step backward
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The resolution with respect to the public -,'hoo
question is one which should receive the hearty
support Of the American people. Agitation upon
this subject IL To be apprehended until by consti
tutonal amendments the schools are placed be
You'd all danger Of sectarnn control intericr
ence The Republican lertN Is pledged 10 secure
such an amendment
THE SOUTHERN PROBLEM
The resolution Of the Convention ON the subject
OF permanent pacifoaton of tho country and The
complete protection OF citizens in the free enjoy
ment Of all their rights is timely and of great i'm
portance The condition Of the southern State
attracts the attention and commands the sym
patty Of the people Of the whole Union In thei
| progressive recovery from the effects OF the wal
their first necessity is an intelligent and honest ad
ministrtion Of the government, which will protec
all classes Of citizens In their political and private
rights What the South most needs Is peace, ant
peace depends on the supremacy OF law Their
can he no enduring law il the rights Of any por
ton Of the people are habitually disregarded
division OF political parties resting merely upoI
distinctions OF race upon sectional lines is a
ways unfortunate and may be disastrous The
welfare OF the South alike with that OF ever,
other part of the country depends upon the at
fractions it can present to labor, to immigratios
and capital But laborers will not go and capita
will not be yentured where constitutions and law
are set at defiance, and destruction, apprehension
and alarm take the place of peace-loying and law
abiding social life. All parts Of the Constitution
are sacred and must be saeredly observed pant
that are new no less than the parts that are old
THE MORAL MATERIAL PROSPERITY or TIM
SOUTHERN STATES
can be most effectually advanced by a hearty ant
generous recognition OF the rights OF all by all
recognition without reserve or exception Will
such a recognition fully accorded, it will be pao
ticable to promote the influence of all the legti
mate agencies of the government and the effort
of the people of these states To obtain for them
selves the blessing ofhonest and capable local gov
eminent II elected shall considerit not only M
duty but it will be my ardent duty, to labor for tn
attainment of this end. Let me assure my coun
trymen of the Southern States that if shall b.
charged with the duty OF the organization Of TN
Administration, 1t will be one which will regart
and cherish the truest interest of the white AN,
colored people equally, and my best efforts in be
half Of civil policy which will wipe out forever
the North and South in our common country
SUMMING UP.
With a civil service organized on a system
which will secure purity experience, enicienc