The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-03-08


occur without presenting problems Of the
grayest moment to be dealt with, BY the
emanciPated race, by their former mas
a.ssho. Of The act Of emancipation That
It was wise, just and providcntial act,
now generally conceded throughout the
country. That moral obligation rests
unon the national government to employ
its constitutional power and influence to
ssssblish the rights of the people it has
esnancipated, and to protect them in the
enjoyment Of those rights when they are
infringed or assailed, is also generally ad-
! mitted.
The evils which afliict the Southern
States can only be removed or remedicd
by the united and harmonious efforts of
both races, actuated by motives of mu-
tual sympathy and regard and while in
duty bound and fully determined to pro-
tect the rights of all, by every constitu-
honal means at the disposal of my ad-
ministration, | am sincerely anxious to
use every legitimate influence in favor of
honest and efficient local self-governmcnt,
as the true resource of those States for
the promotion of the cOntentmcnt and
prosperity Of their citizens In the effort
| shall make TO accomplish this purpose,
/ ask the cordial cooperation of all who
cherish an interest in the welfare Of the
country, trusting that party ties and the
prejudice of race will be freely surren-
dered in behalf of the great purpose to
be accomplished.
In the important work of restoring the
:z =
alone that merits attention. The mate
rial development of that section of the
country has been arrested by the social
and political revolution through which it
has passed, and now needs and deserves
the considerate care of the national gov
ernment, within the just limits prescribed
by the constitution and wise public
economy. but at the basis of all prosper
ity, for that rs we'll rs 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 provision
should bc made for the support of free
schools by the State governn ents, and, if
needed, supplemented by Legitimate aid
from national authority.
Let me assure my countrymcn of the
Southern States that it is my earnest de-
sire to regard and promote their truest
interests; the interest of the white and
of the colored people both and equally,
and t0 put forth my best efforts in behalf
of civil policy which will forever wipe
out, in cur political affairs, the color line
and the distinction between North and
South, to the end that we may have not
|
South, but united country.
ask the attention of the public to the
paramount necessity of reform in our
civil service-a reform not merely rs to
certain abuses and practices of so-called
have the sanction Of usage in the several
departments of our government, but
change in the system of appointment it.
SELF A reform that shall be thorough,
radical and complete. \ return to tue
of the government. They nett cr cx-
pected nor desired from public officers
/ any partisan service. They meant that
the public officers should be secure in his
tenure as long as his personal character
remained untarnished and the perform
ance of his duties satisfactory. They
held that appointments to Office were not
to be made nor expected merely as q re-
ward for patisan services, nor merely of
the nomination Of members of Congress
as being entitled in any respect to the
control of such appointments. The fact
that both the great rclitics! parties of the
country, in declaring their principles
prior to the election, gave q prominent
place to the subject of reform of our civil
service, recognizing and strongly urging
its necessity in terms almost identical in
their specific import with those have
here employed, must be accepted Us n
conclusive argument in behalf of those
measures. 1t must be regarded as the
expression of the united voice and will
Of the whole country upon this subject
and both political parties are virtually
pledged to give it their unreservcd sup
port. The President of the United States
of necessity owes his election to off: &C to
the suffrage and jealous labors of polit-
ical party, the members Of which cherish
with ardor and regard Us of essential i'm
portance the principles of their party Or
! genization; but be should strive to be
always mindful of the fact that he serves
his party best who serves the country
best. In furtherance of the reform we
seek, and in other important respects,
and change of great Importance, re-
commend an amendment to the constitu-
ton prescribing term of six years for
the Presidential Office, and forbiddinc a
reelection.
/ With respect to the financial condition
OF the country, shall not attempt an
extended history of the embarrassment
and. prostration which we have suffered
during the past three years. The de-
PRECISION in all our varied commercial
and manufacturing interest throughout
the country, which he"an in September.
1873, still continue j.. is very gratify-
ing, however. to be aule to say that there
are indications all around us of coming
change to prosperous times.
Upon the currency question, intimate
ly connected as it is with this topic, |
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
deemable paper currency, with its fuc-
tuations of values, is one of the greatest
obstacles to O return to prosperous
times. The only safe paper currency is
one which rests upon coin basis, and
Is ut all times and promptly convertible
into coin. 1 adhere to the views hereto
fcre expressed by me in favor of Con-
gressional legislation in behalf of an
early resumption of specie payment.
and am satisfied not only that this is
wise, but that the interests as we'll as the
public sentiment of the country impera
lively demand it.
Passing from thcse renork. uno,, tLo