Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-08-10

and relieve the country from paralysis
of hard times.
With the industries of the people
there have been frequent interferences.
Our platform truly says that many
industries nave been impoverished to
subsidize few. Our commerce has
been degraded to an inferior position
on the high seas. Manufactures have
been diminished, agriculture has been
embarrassed, and the distress of the
| industrial classes demands that these
things shall be reformed
The burdens Of the people must also
be liyhtened by great change in our
system of public expenses. The prof
ligate expenditures which increased
taxation from SIS per capita in 1850 TO
$l8 in 1870, tells its own story Of our
need in fiscal reform. Our treatieswith
foreign powers should also be revised
and amended in 80 far as they leave
citizens Of foreign birth in any par.
ticular less secure in any country ON
earth than they would be if they had
been born upon our own soil, and the
iniuuitous coolie system, which through
the agency Of wealthy companies
imports Chinese bondmen and establish
ed species of slavery, and interferes
with the just reward Of labor on our
Pacific coast, should be utterly abolished
In the reform of our civil service |
most heartily endorse that section of
the platform which declares that civil
service ought net to be Subject to
change at every election" and. that it
ought not to be made sthe brief reward
of party zeal," but ought to be awarded
for proved competency and held for
fidelity in the public employ. l hope
never, again to see the cruel and remorse-
less prescription for political opinions
which have disgraced the administration
of the last eight years.
Bad as the civil service now is, as all
know, it has some men of tried integrity
and proved ability. Such men, and
such men only, should be retained In
office. But no man should be retained
on any consideration who has prostituted
his office to the purposes of partisan
intimidation or compulsion, or who has
furnished money to corrupt elections.
This is done and has been done in
almost every country of the land. 1t
is a blight upon the m orals of the
country and ought to be reformed.
Of sectional contentious and in respect
to our common schools I have only this
to say, that in my judgment the man
or party that would involve our schools
iu political OF sectional controversy is
an enemy to the schools. The common
schools are safer under the protecting
care of all the people than under the
control Of any party or sect. They
must be neither sectarian nor partisan.
and there must be neither division nor
misrepresentation of funds for their
support. Likewise regard the man
who would arouse or foster sectional
animosities and antagonisIns among
his countrymen as dangerous enemy
to his country.
All the people must be made to feel
and to know ONCE more that there is
established purpose and policy under
which all citizens of every condi ion,
race and color will be secure in the
enjoyment of whatever rights the con-
stitution end laws declare or recognize,
and that in controversies that may arise
the government is not a partisan, but
within its constitutional authority the
| ju3t and powerful guardian of the rights
/ and safety of all. The strife between
the sections and between races will
cease as soon as the power for evil is
taken away from party that makes
political gain out of scenes of violence
and bloodshed, and the constitutional
authority is placed in the hands of mel
whose political welfare require that
peace and good order shall be preserved
everywhere.
1t will be seen gentlemen that | am
in entire accord with the platform Of
the convention by which l have been
nominated as candidate for the office
of VicesPresident of the United States
Permit me, in conclusion, to express
my satisfaction at being associated with
candidate for the presidency who is
first among his equals as representative
of spirit and of achievements of reform
In his official as the executive of the
great State of New York, he has in g
comparatively short period reformed
the public service and reduced the
public burdens 80 as to have earned al
once the gratitude Of his State and the
admiration of the country.
The people know him to be thorough
ly in earnest. He has shown hilnsel
to be possessed of powers and qualities
which fit him in an eminent degree fo1
the great work OF reformation which
this country now needs, and if he shall
be chosen by the people to the higl
office of President Of the United State!
I believe that the day of his Inauguration
will be the beginning OF new era o
peace, purity and prosperity in al
| departments Of our government
i. i am gentlemen your obedient ser
want, THos, A. HENDRICKS.
To Hon. John A. McCiernand, chair
f man, and others of the committee 0
, the national democratic convention.