Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-08-29
6. NEW SERIES, VOL. XI. No. So.

have been trequeBt Iutcrterences Our plat
form truly says that many Industries have
been impoverished 10 subsidize few. Our
commerce has been degraded to an inferior
position on the high seas. Manufacturers
have been diminished. agriculture has been
embarrassed, aud the distress of the indus
trial classes demands that these things shall
be reformed
The burdens of the people must also be
lighteued by great change. in our system
of public expenses. The profigate expendi
lures which Increased taxation from S5 per
capita in 1860 to 15 in 1870, tells its story
of our need in fiscal reform. Our treaties
with foreign powers should also be revised
and amended in SO far as they leave citizens
of foreign birth in any particular less secure
in any country on earth than they would be
it they had been born our own soil. and
the iniquitous coolie system, which through
the agency of wealthy companies imports
Chinese bondmeu and establishes a species
of slavery. aud interferes with the just re-
ward of labor on our Pacific coast, should be
utterly abolished.
In the reform of our civil service l most
heartily iudorso that section of the platform
which declares that civil service ought not to
be subject 10 change at every election and
that it ought not TO be made ''the brief re.
ward 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 remorselcss prescription for
political opinions which has disgraccd the ad,
mlaistraiion 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
ehould be retained on any consideration who
has prostituted his Office TO the purposes Of
partisan intimidation compulsion, or who
has furnished money to corrupt elections
This il done aud has been done in almost
every country of the land 1t is blight
upon the morals Of the country and ought to
be reformed
or sectional contentious and in respect to
our common schools have only this to say.
IN my judgment the man or party that would
involve our schools in political or sectional
controversy is an enemy to the schools. The
conmon schools are safer under the protect
ing care of all the people than under tho Con
troll of any party or sect. They must be Meth
er sectariAn nor partisan, and there must be
neither division nor misEPpropration of funds
for their support Likewise | regard the
man who would arouse or foster sectional au-
trymeD 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 condition, race AID color will be
secure in the enjoyment of whatever rights
the constitution and laws declare or recognize,
and that in controversies that may arise the
SuvrrurncrIt T1aTti5zui tiriu its
constitutional authority, the just and power
tul guardian of the rights and safety of all.
The strife between races will cease as soon
as the power for evil is taken away from a
party that makes political gain out Of scenes
OF violence and bloOdshed, and the constitu>
tional authority is placed in the hands OF men
whose political welfare requires that peace
aud good order shall he preserved everywhere
1t will be seen, gentlemen, that | am iu
entire accord with the platform of the con-
vcntion by which have been nominated as
a candidate for the Office of Vice President
OF the United States. Permit me, in conclu>
sion, to express my satisfaction at being as
sociated With a candidate for the presidency
who is first among his equals as a representa-
tive OF spirit and Of achievements of reform.
In his official career as the executive of the
great State of New York. he has in a CONS
paratively short period reformed the public
service and reduced the public burdens as
to have earned at once the gratitude Of his
State and the admiration of the country.
Tie people knew him to be thoroughly in
earnest. He has shown himself to be pos.
sessed of powers aud qualities which fit him
in an eminent degree for the great work of
reformation which this country now needs,
aud if he shall be chosen by the people to
the high Office Of President of the United
States believe that the day of his inaugurA
tion will be the beginning of a new era Of
peace, purity and prosperity in all depart>
ments of our government.
l am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
THos. A. HEEDRICKs.
To Hon. John A. McClernaud chairman,
and others OF the committee Of the National