Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-08-11

of slavery, and interferes with the just re.
wards OF labor on our Pacific coast, should
be utterly abolished.
In the reform of our civil service, l most
heartily indorse that section OF the platform
which declares that the civil service ought
not to "be subject TO change at every cleo
tion," and that it ought not to be made ths
"brief reward of party zeal" but ought TO
be rewarded for proved competency and
held for fidelity In the public employ. L
hopo never again TO see the cruel ana re-
morseless prescription for political opin-
ions, which has disgracod the administra-
ton for the last eight years. Bad as the
civil service now Is, as all men Know, II
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 prosttuted his Office to the pur-
poses of partisan Intimidation or compul-
sion, or who has furnished money 10 cor
rupt the elections. This Is done and has
been done In almost every country OF the
land. Ii is a blight upon tho morals Of the
country and ought 10 be reformed.
or sectional contentious and in respect TO
our common schools / have only this 10
say: That in my judgment the man or par
ty that would involve our schools in politi-
cal or sectariau controversy Is an enemy to
the schools. The common schools are safer
under the protecting care of all the people,
than under the control ofaDy party or sect.
There must be neither division nor misap-
preparation of the funds for their support.
Likewise i regard the man who would
arouse or foster sectional animosities and
antagonisms among his countrymen az a
dangerous enemy to his country. All the
people must be made TO feel and know that
once more there is established purpose
and policy, under which all the citizens,
of every condition, race and color, Will be
secure in the enjoyment of whatever rights
the constitution and laws declare or recog-
nize, and that in any controversy that may
arise the Government is not partisan but,
| within its constitutional authority, the Just
| and powerful guardian of the rights and
| safety of all. The strife between the Sec
| tions aud between races will cease as soon
as :he power 70: evil is taken away from a
| party that makes political gain out oil
| scenes of violence and bloodshed, and the
constitutional authority is placed in the
hands of men whose political welfare re-
| quires that peace and good order shall he
| preserved everywhere.
| 1t will be seen, gentlemen, that L am in
entire accord with the platform of the Con-
| veution by which have been nominated
as a candidate for the Office of Vice Presi-
dent of the United States.
Permit me in conclusion to express III y
satisfaction at being associated with can
didate for the Presidency, who is first
among his equals as representative of the
| spirit aud Of the achievements Of reform
| In his official career or as the Executive oi
| the great state of New York, lie has, in q
comparatively short time, reformed the
| public service and reduced the public bur
dens, so as to have earned at once the graf
itude of his Stale and the admiration of the
country. The people know him 10 be thor
| oughly in earnest. He has shown himself
TO DO possessed Of powers and qualities
which lit him in an eminent degree for the
| great work and reformation which thi'
country now needs, and if he shall be chos
en- by the people to the high Office of Presi
dent of the United States. they believe tha
the day OF his Inauguration will be the he
| ginning Of a new era OF peace, purity anC
prosperity in all departments of onr gov
| eminent.
am, gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
THOMAS A. HENDRICKS.
To the Hon. John A. McClernand, anC
others Of the Committee of the Natona
Democr itic Convention.