The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-12-11

ceptance ana In MS inaugural address
that the policy of resumption should be
pursued by every suitable means, and
that no legislation that would retard OF
postpone it opght to be enacted. He
believes that any wavering in purpose,
or unsteadiness in methods, instead oil
relieving the country from any of the in.
conveniences attendant upon return to
specie payments would only aggravate
and prolong the distress already caused
by an irredeemable paper currency, and
end In serious disaster and dishonor. -
The mischief which would result from
any other policy than one which will
bring speedy resumption would not, be
believes, be confined to any class of peo.
pie, although he thinks the industrial
masses would suffer most X
Secretary Sherman, in his report,does
not ask for any additional legislation TO
enable him to carry the Resumption Act
into effect, and the President, in his mes.
sage, agrees with the Secretary of the
Treasury. II Congress was favofsble to
resumption, and ready to assist the Ad-
in bringing about the specie
some additional laws would
be asked for; but as it is, the President
agrees with the Secretary that resump.
tion can be effected under the present
laws by January /, 1879, and he also
agrees to the wisdom of the policy of
no: asking further legisla tion.i The Sec.
retary also holds that the Resumption
Act Of 1875 does not require the cancel.
lation and destruction Of the $500, ,000,:
000of United States notes which remain
after the volume of the greenback cur.
reney has been reduced to tina. point, and
that it may be left in circulation for o
while, being always exchangable, ol
courses at the sub-treasuries for gold coin
ii9' ~ SILVER.
On the silver question the President is
equally explicit In his message. he
holds the ground that both silver and
gold ought to be utilized in the currency
Of the country; but be does not agree
with those who would undertake to leg
islate that 80 or 81 cents worth of silver
shall pass or be receivable in the place
of 100 cents worth of gold. The public
debt of the country was contracted il
the money of the world, aud with the
understanding that it should be paid
principal and interest, in the money o
the world. He does not, therefore, fa
vor any legislation that would force the
creditors Of the United States to receive
in payment Of what is due them, any sill
yer currency worth less than par in gold
The President is in favor of making
silver liberal subsidiary coin, with .
legal-tender limit somewhat greater thar
at present, but Is not in favor Of making
1t an unlimi ted legal tender.
REFoRM-MExICAN AaGREssIoNs.
In treating of Civil Service Reform
the President, in his message, repeats, il
substance, the opinions expressed in hi
inaugural address. As his views on thil
subject are well known to the country
he has not, apparently, deemed it neces
sary to discuss it at very great length. =
or coursea be does not refer directly {,
the controversy that has arisen betweel
the Senate and the Executive over th
subject of appointments, nor is ther
anything in the message which evince'
a disposition by the President to quarre
with the Senate or to interfere with th
widest exercise by that body Of the pre-
negatives which belong to It.. While tina
portion Of the message which relates h
Civil Service reform is unequivocal 10 IL
language, the subject is not given a
much promise as might have been OK
pected. a1, fH ii6'
or subjects connected with the foreigl
relations Of the United States, the Mex
lean border question Is naturally giver
the most prominence. The condition Q
affairs on the Rio Grande frontier, q
shown by official reports received by th
Administration, is briefly described; an
the considerations which led;to the OF
der to the commanders OF United State
troops to. cross the river when in fu
pursuit OF raiders, and punish them o.
Mexican soil are recited. i While 5 th
President recognizes the delicacy of th
position assumed by the Government b
the issue of that order and is not or
mindful Of the fact that it may lead t
serious international complications. b
defends it on the ground that 10 no othe
way could the lives and property Of on
citizens be projected. He disclaims an
intention, or desire, to provoke hostil
ties with the Mexican Republic. Gsa
This part of the message shows th.
the foreign policy of the Administration
while it is vigorous one, is not on
which seeks trouble with other nation
although it evinces disposition, to al
cept the consequences of any act whic
is necessary for the protection Of tt
rights Of American citizens.