Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-03-15

lDenau 0f these 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 unreserved support,
The President. of the ,Upited 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 the principles of
their party organization, but he
should strive to be always mindful of
| the fact that he serves his party best
who serves the country best.
FURTHER REFoRM-THE PRESIDENTIAL
In furthcrance of the reform we
seek, and in other important respects,
a change of great Importance, re-
commend an amendment to the Con-
stitution prescribing a term of six
years for the Presidential office, and
forbiGding reelection.
| FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
With respect TO the financial con-
dition of the country. l shall not
attempt an extended history of the
embarrassment and prostration which
we have suffered during the past
three years. The depression in all
our varied commercial and manu:ac-
turing interests throughout the coun-
try, which began in Sept ember, 1878,
still continues. 1t is very gratifying.
however, to be able 10 say that there
are indications all around us of a
coming change 10 prosperous times
Upon the currency question, init
mately connected as it is with this
topic, may be permitted to repeat
here that the statement made in my
letter of acceptance that in my judg
ment the feeling of uncertainty, in
separable from our irredcemable pa
per currency with its infuctuations OF
values, is one of the greatest obsta-
cles to Il return to prosperous times.
The only safe paper currency is one
which rests uron coin basis and is
at all times and promptly convertible
into coin. / adhere to the views here
tofore expressed by me in favor oi
Congressional legislation in behalf OF
an early resumption to specie pay
ment, and l am satisfied, not only
that this is wise, but that the inter,
ests, as we'll as the public sentiment
of the county, demand IT,.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Passing from these remarks upon the
!. condition of our own conntry to con-
slider our relations with other lands
: we are reminded by the international
complications abroad threatening the
peace of Europe, that our traditiona
rule of non-interference in the affairs
of foreign nations has proved of great
value in past times and ought to be
+ strictly observed. The policy inau
gurated by my honored predecessor
President Grant, of submitting tt
arbitration, grave questions of dispute
between ourselves and foreign powers
:. points to q new and incomparabiN
: the best Instrumentality for the pres
ervatlon ofpeace, and will, believe
> become a beneficient example of thu
/. course to be pursued in similar emer-
, gencies by other nations. If, unhap
at any time during the period of m.
F.. administration, arise between tn
United States and any foreign gov
8 ernment, it will certainly be my dis
position and my hope to aid in thei
settlement IN the same peaceful an
honorable way, thus securing to ou
i country the great blessings of peac
T and mutual good offices with all th
S nations Of the world.
THE SITUATION.
Fellow citizens, we have reache
J the close of political contest marke
> by the excitement which usual
attends the contests between grea
political paroles whose members es
C pouse and advocate with earnest fait
, their respective creeds. The circun
n stances were perhaps IN no respet
extraordinary save in the closenes
! and the consequent uncertainty of th
= result. For. the first time in the his
= tory of the country it has bee
deemed best in view of the peculis
circumstances of the case. that th
: objections and questions in disput
Win reference TO tue counting Oh Lu
q electoral votes, should be referred
the decision Of a tribunal, establishe
81 by law, for this sole purpose, il
'r members all of them men Of lon
C established reputation for integrit
e and Intelligence, and with the exceI
o tion of those who are also, member
e of the, supreme Judiciary, chose
: equally from both POLITICAL parties
: Its declarations enlightened by r.
e search and the arguments of alb
;. counsel were entitled to the fulIe:
IS confidence of the American peopl
r. fts decisions have, been -patientl
!. waited for and accepted. as legalI
- conclusive by the general judgmer
: of the public. For the present, .opil
:, ion will widely vary as c, the. .wisdol
- of the several conclusions announce
:, by that tribunal. This is to be. al
~ ticipated in every instance. ,.whel
- matters of dispute, are made the. sui
- ject! of arbitration under the forms
- - law; human Judgment is n .ver une
Is i