The daily gazette., 1877-03-06

S0utn, " Is not inc polttooi eLsu@siou
alone that merits attention. The ma
terial development of that section of
the country has been arrested. by :he
social and political revolution through
which it has passed, and now needs
and deserves the considerate care OF
the National Government, within the
1ust limits prescribed by the Consti- !
tuition and wise public economy.
NECESSITY OF UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.
But as the basis of all prosperity, for
that as well as for every other part
Of the country lies the Improvement
of the Intellectual and moral condition
of the people, universal suffrage should
rest upon universal education. To
this end liberal and permanent pro-
vision should be made for the support
OF free schools by the State Govern.
ment, and IL need be, supplemented
by legitimate aid from national au-
thority. Let me assure my country
men OF the Southern states that 1t is
my earnest desire to regard and pro- |
mote their truest isterests, the inter
ests Of the white and of the colored
people both, and equally, and to put
fo-th my best efforts in behalf of
civil policy which will forever, wipe
out in our political affairs the color
line, aid the distinction Between
North and South, to the, end that We
may have not a merely united North
or q united South, but q united coun-
try. e. -i'Asl :. fs + u 4A
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM PROMISED.
ask the attention of the public to
the paramount necessity OF reform in
our civil service-a reform not merely
as to certain abuses and practices Of
go called official patronage, which
have come to have the sanction OF
usage in the several departments of
our Gouernment, but a change in the
system of appointment itself-a re-
form that shall be thorough, radical,
and complete, return to the priuci-
Piles and practices of the founders of
the Government. They neither ex-
pected nor desired from public any
partisan service. They meant that
public officers should owe their whole
service to the Government and to the
people. They meant that the officer
should be secure in his tenure as long
tarnished and the performance Of his
duties satisfactory. They held that
appointments to office were not to be
made, nor expected, merely as re-
wards for partisan services, nor merely
on the nomination of members of Con-
gress, as being entitled in any respect
to the control of such appointments.
The fact thatboth the great,political par
ties OF the country, in declaring their
principles prior to the election, gave
a prominent place to the subject Of re-
form Of our civil service, recognizing
and strongly urging its necessity in
terms almost identified in their speci-
fic import with those l have here en-
ployed, must be accepted as q conclu-
sive argument in behalf OF those mea>
sures; it must be regarded as the ex-
preston of the united voice and will
of the whole country upon this SUBJ
Ject, and both political parties are vir-
tually pledged to give it their.unreser-
we'd support. The President of the
United States of necessity owes his
election to Office to the suffrage and
Jealous labors of political party, the
members of which cherish with ardor
and regard, as of essential importance.
tae principles of their party organiza-
COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY.
Bnt he should strive to be ALWAYS
mindful of the fact that he serves his
party best, who serves the country
best. In furtheranc4 of the reform
we seek and in other important res
poets change of great importance.
l recommend an amendment to the
Constitution, prescribing a term of
six years for the Presidential office
and forbidding reelection,
With respect to the financial condi-
ton OF the country, shall not attempt
an extended history of the embarrass.
ment and prostration which we have
suffered during the past three wears.
The depression in all our varied
commercial and manufacturing in.
terests throughout the country. which
began in September, 1873, still con-
unues. IL Is very gratifying, how
ever, 10 De able To say that that there
are indications all around us of O com
ing change to prosperous times,
A HARD MONEY ADMINISTRATION
Upon the currency question. intimate.
~ connected as it is with this topic. I
may be permitted to repeat here The
statement made in my letter of accept.
ance, that, in my Judgment, the feeling
OF uncertainty inseparable from an ire.
oeemable paper currency, with its fiuctu.
atoms OF values, is one of the greatest
obstacles to return prosperous times
The only safe paper currency is ono
which rests upon a coin basis. and IA nj
all times and promptly convertible into
CON- adhere to the views heretofore
expressed by me in favor of Congression.
al legislation in beaalf of an early re.
sumption of specie payment, and / am
satisfied not only that it is wise. bnt
that the interests as well as the pubiic
sentiment of the country imperatiyelS
demand it. Passing from these remarks
upon the condition of our own country
70 consider our relations with otbar
lands, we are reminded by the interna-
tional complications abroad threatening
the peace of Europe, that our traditional
rule OF non:interference in the affairs of
toreign nations has proved of great value
ftFp