Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-06-30
MIR. BRISToW.
His Speech Mt Cincinnati.

lay evening, by an immense meet
ng in the Exposition building to rat
fly the nomination of Hayes and
Wheeler. The main feature of the
evening was the speech of Ex-Sccre-
AIRY Bristow. Gov. Noyes made a
brief speech upon taking the chair,
md closed by introducing Mr.. Bris-
tow, who was received by the i'm
mense audience with the most en-
thusiastic demonstration of applause,
long continued and hearty. 1t was
q perfect ovation to tho Ex-Secretary,
who, when the cheering had subsid-
ed, proceeded to address the meeting
IN a speech that will be read every
where with pleasure and satisfaction,
as well for its generous, hearty en-
dorscment of the action of the Cln-
cinnati Convention, as for its power
full presentation OF the issues of the
campaign. We give copious ex-
tracts. Mr.. Bristow says:
This great outpouring Of the peo-
pie here tonight testifes to the fact
that the National Republican Con
vontion did its work wisely and well.
You are here for the purpose of rati-
flying that work, and the enthusiasm
of tho hour shows how heartily your
approval Is given. The platform of
principles is one upon which every
patriotic citizen who loves freedom
and justice may securely stand. 1t
declares for equal and exact justice
to all men, liberty and equality in
the exercise of all civil, political, and
public rights, to be enforced if need
be by all the power conferred upon
the Government by the Constitution.
In this declaration is embodied the
highest aim of Government, and
without its practical operation no
Government is really free or worth
the support of free people. Con.
ceding perfect liberty and exact
equality to those who sought by VIC
lence to overthrow the Government,
it demands the same security and
right for the newly-enfranchised race
which "followed the flag and kept
step to the music of the Union."-
This is but another form of expires
sion of the idea that this Govern,
ment is nation of one people, and
not mere league of many States.
The platform commits the party
fully and squarcly to the resumption
Of specie payment, applausel, which
is demanded alike by the best in
terest of the people and the solemn
pledges of the Government. There
must be no step backward, but con-
tinuous and steady progress toward
resumption, and return to the money
of the Constitution. Every expedi-
ent for the revival of our PROSTATE
industries, which falls short Of abso.
lutte resumption and complete fulfill
ment of all our national obligations
will prove inadequate and deceptive,
The necessities of the country de-
mand the restoration Of confidence
in business and commercial transac-
tons, and this will come only from a
stable currency and readiness to dis
charge all national liabilities accord
ing to the letter and spirit of the I'M
dertaking.
The Convention has given us Il
simple and easy method of reforming
our civil service, which is neither
more nor less than the practical
application in public affairs of the
rule which works so well in private
lite-that every man should mind his
own business and leave others to do
likewise. Members of Congress
whom the Constitution charges with
Legislative duties should not dictate
appointments to Office as rewards for
personal political service, but SHOULD
leave the Executive free to exercise
his constitutional functions in the Sc
lection of officers with reference to
honesty, fidelity, and capacity under
the sanction of his oath to take care
that the laws are faithfully executed.
When this distinction between legis-
latiye and executive functions comes
to be fully recognized and observed,
it will be easy enough for the Ex-
ecutive to reform and elevate our
civil service. Without this it is i'm
possible.
The Convention has struck a blow
at the very root of the evil, and has
indicated the true remedy for the
dangerous tendencies Of q practice
which comes down to us from the
Democratic party. The platform
pledges the party to speedy, thorough
and unsparing prosecution and pun
ishment of all public officers who be-
tray official trust. Great applause.
The Convention did not stop to con-
slider, as some would have us do,
whether such prosecutions and pun
ishments would be faithful to the
party. 1t has given public notice
that plunderers Of the public revenue
and corrupt officials, whether Demo
Gratis OF Republicans, must meet as
they deserve, the rigors of our Grim
inal statutes.
The necessity for purity in the
public service, and the duty that
rests upon us to preserve and perpe-
tutate our form of Government, de-
mand the strict observance and full
fillment of this pledge.
Recognizing fully the value of
popular education Applause and the
absolute importance of complete sep
aration of Church and State, APP
plause], the Convention has declared
in favor of a constitutional amend
ment forever securing public funds
or property for the support Of public
schools against sectarian control or
influence. This is no abridgment of
religious freedom. 1t leaves every
man free to follow the dictates of
his own conscience in matters of re-
ligion, but prevents the use of mon
ey raised by taxation for building up
any secular denomination. The
State must not be brought into sub
lection to the Church, nor shall any