Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-08-12
RrroRM OF rHE own SERVICE.


/ most heartily endorse that section
of the platform which declares that
the civil service ought not to be sub
ject to change at every election, and
that it ought not to be made the brief
reward of party zeal, but ought to be
awarded for proved competency, and
held for fidelity in the public employ.
/ hope never again to see the cruel and
remorseless prescription for political
opinions which has disgraced the ad-
ministration of the last eight years.
Bad as the civil service now is, as all
know, it has some men of tried integ-
rity and proved ability. Such men,
and such men only, should be retained
in office, but no man should be re-
tanned, IN any consideration, who has
prostituted his Office to the purposes
Bipartisan intimidation or compulsion,
or who has furnished money to corrupt
the elections. This is done and has
been done in almost every county in
the land. 1t is a blight upon the
morals of the country, and ought to be
reformed.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
OF sectarian contentious and in re-
spect to our commoR-schools, | have
only this to say that in my judgment
the man or party that would involve
our schools in political or sectarian
controversies is an enemy to the
schools. The common schools are
rather 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 the funds for
their support.
SECTIONAL ANIMOSITIES.
Likewise, regard the man who
would arouse or foster sectional ami
mosities and antagonisms among his
countrymen as dangerous enemy to
his country. All the people must be
made to feel and know that once more
there is established a purpose and
policy under which all citizens of ev-
cry condition, race and color will be
secure in the enjoyment of whatever
rights the Constitution and laws de-
clare or recognize, and that in the
controversies which may arise che
Government is not a partisan, but
within its constitutional authority, the
just and powerful guardian Of the
rights and safety of all. The strife
between the sections and between the
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 men whose political well
fare requires that peace and good or
der shall be preserved everywhere.
PEACE, PURITY, AND PROSPERITY.
It will be seen, gentlemen, that am
in entire accord with the platform OF
the convention by which have been
nominated as candidate for the Of
flee of vice president of the United
States. Permit me in conclusion to
express my satisfaction at being asso-
ciated with candidate for the presi-
| dency who is first among his equals as
a representative of the spirit and OF
the achievements of reform in bis Of
fetal career As the executive of the
great State of New York, he has in a
comparatively short period reformed
the public service and reduced the
public burden so as to have earned at
once the gratitude of his State and
the admiration of the country.
The people know him to be thor
oughly in earnest. He has shown
himself to be possessed of powers and
qualities which fit him in an eminent
degree for the great work of reforma-
ton which this country now needs,
and If he shall be chosen by the peo-
| pie to the high Office of president Of
the United States, | believe that the
day of his Inauguration will be a new
era of peace, purity and prosperity in
all the departments of our Govern
ment.
1 am, gentlemen, your obedient SER
want,
THos. A. HENDIcKs.
To the Hon. John A. McClernand,
chairman, and others of the com
mittee of the National Democratic
convention.