Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-03-09

bulNtn lnub Only uiOChl government WnlCn rpcOn
nizes and maintains inviolate the rights Of all is
true self-government. With respect TO the tw,
distinct races whose peculiar relations to eacl
other have brought upon US the deplorable complI
cations and perpezites which exist in those States
II must be government which decides the inter
osts OF both races carefully and equally, IL mus
De government which submits loyalty an,
heartily to the Constitution and the rlaws--thi
laws OF the nation, and the laws OF the State
Notwithstanding and obeying faithfully tn,
whole Consultation as 1t ie. Resting upon thi
sure and substantial foundation, the superstruct
ure OF benehcent local government can be bull
up, and not otherwise.
In furtherauce Of such obedience to the lette
and the spirit of the Constitution, and in beha
OF all that its attainment implies all so-callet
party interests lose their apparent importance
and party lines may well be permitted TO fall into
insigrAdcance.
The question we have to consider for the imme
diate welfare Of those States Of the Union Ia the
question OF government or no government; ol
social order aud all the peaceful industries and the
happiness that belong to It, or return to barba
rism, IL is question In which every citizen Of the
nation Is deeply interested, and with respect tc
which we ought to be in partisan sense neither
Republicans nor Democrats but fellow-citizent
and feiIow-men to whom the interests of com.
mon country and common humanity are dear
The sweeping revolution OF the entire labor avs
TEN OF large portion OF our country. and the ad
vance Of 4,Ooo0oo OF people from a condition OF
serNtudc 20 that Of citizenship upon Hn equn
foNing with their former masters, could not Occur
without presenting problems OF the gravest mo
men, to be dealt with by the emancipated race
by their former masters, and by the General Gov
ernmtnt, the author Of the act Of emancipation
That IT was wise, Just and providential act
fraught with good for all concerned, is now gen.
orally conceded throughout the country. That o
moral obligation rests upon the National Govern
ment TO employ its constitutional power and infiu.
ence 10 establish the rights Of the people It has
emancipated and to protect them in the enjoy
ment Of those rights when they are infringed OF
assailed, is also generally admitted. The evils
which afiiict the Southern States can only be re-
moved or remedied by the united and harmonious
enoru OF both races, actuated by motives OF
mutual sympathy and regard, and, while in duty
bound and fully determined to protect the rights
OF all by every constitutional means at the dis
pOeal OF my administration, am sincerely anX.
ious to use every legitimate influence in favor Of
an honest and efficient local government as the
true Resource Of those States for the promotion OF
the coutentment and prosperity Of their citizens.
In the effort shall make to accomplish this pur.
pose ask the cordial cooperation OF llwho cher
sh the interest and welfare OF their country trust
ing that party ties and prejudice of race will be
freely surrendered in behalf Of the great purpose
to be accomplished in the important work of the
restoration Of the South. II Is not the political
situation alone that merits attentions the material
development Of that section of the country has
been arrested by the social and political revolu-
tion through which it has passed, and now needs
and deserves the considerate care of the National
Government, within the just limits prescribed by
the Constitution and wise public economy.
But at the basis Of all prosperity, for that
as well as for every other part of the country,
lies the improvement Of the mental and moralcon-
dittOn OF the people. Universal suffrage should
rest upon universal education, and to this end
liberal and permanent provision should be made
for the support OF free schools IL need be, the
State Government should be supplemented by le-
gitimate aid from the national authority.
Let me assure my countrymen Of the Southern
States that il Is my earnest desire TO regard and
promote their truest interests the interests OF the
white and OF the colored people both and equally,
and to put forth my best efforts in behalf of a
civil policy which will forever wipe out in our po
litical affairs the color line and the distinction
between the North and South, to the end that we
may have not merely united North or united
South but a,united country.
L ask the attention Of the public to the para
mount necessity Of reform in our civil service, u
reform not merely az to certain abuses and prac-
Tces OF sO-called official patronage, which have
come to have the sanction OF usage in several de-
partments of our Government, but change OF
the system Of appointments itself; reform that
shall be thorough, radical and complete; a return
to the principles and practices of the founders of
the Government. They neither expected nor de-
sired from public officers, any partisan service.
They meant that public officers should owe their
whole service to the Government and to the peo-
Pile. They meant that an officer should be secure
in his tenure rs long as his personal character
mained untarnished and the performance Of his
duties satisfactory. They held that appoint
ments to office were not to be made nor
expected merely as rewards for partisan
services, nor merely on the nomination Of
members Of Congress as being entitled, in any
respect, to the control OF such appointments
The fact that both political parties Of the country
in declaring their principles prior to the election
gave prominent place to the subject OF reform OF
our civil service, recognizing and strongly argu-
ing its necessity in terms almost Identical in their
specific import with those have here employed,
must be accepted rs a conclusive argument in be-
half of these measures. 1t must be regarded as
he expression Of the united voice and will of the
whole country upon this subject, and both pOliti-
,al parties are virtually pledged to give IL their
support.
The President Of the United States Of necessity
owes his election to office to the suffrage and zeal
rus labors Of his political party, the members Of
which cherish with ardor and regard of essen
.al importance the principles OF their party or
yaniZation. But he should strive to be always
mindful of the fact that he serves his uarty best
who serves his country best In furtherance of
he reform we seek, and in other respects a change
" great importance, recommend an amendment
% the Constitution prescribing a term of six years
or the Presidential office and forbidding re-elec-
ion.
With respect to the financial condition of the
country shall not attempt an extended history OF
he embarrassment and prostration which we have
utfered during the past three years. The de-
,ression in all our varied commercial and manu-
acturing interests throughout the country, which
,egan in 1873, still continues. 1t is very crafty
ng. however, to be able to say that there indi
ations all around US Of a coming change to pros
,erous times.
The currency question is intimately connected
With this topic, and may be permitted to repeat
ere the statement made in my letter of accept
hANs
ainty, inseparable from an irredeemable paper
urrency with its fluctuations OF value Is one of
he greatest obstacles to return to prosperous
lines. The only safe paper currency is one which
ests upon coin basis and is at all times con-
ertible into coin. adhere to the views hereto
ore expressed by me in favor OF Congressional
'gislation in behalf OF the early resumption OF
pecie payment, and l am satisfied not only that
his is wise but that the interests M we'll az the
ublic sentiment Of the country imperatiyely de-
land ii.
Passing from these remarks upon the condition
our own country to consider our relations with
ther lands, We are reminded by the international
Implications abroad, threatening the peace OF
EUROPE, that our traditional rule OF non-interfer-
nee in the affairs OF foreign nations has proved Of
reat value in past times, and ought to be strictly
bseFYed The policy inAugurated by my honOred
redecessOr-Prestdent Grant-Of submitting TO
grave questions in dispute between
urselves and foreign powers, points to new and
the best instrumentality for the
reservation Of peace, and will, IA believe, be-
ome benencent example Of the course TO be
ursued in similar emergencies by other nations.
hould there at any time during my adminlstra-
ION any difficulties arise between the United
'tates and any foreign Government shall aid in
heir settlement in the same peaceful and honor
BILE way, thus securing TO our country the great
blessings of peace and mutual gOOd-fellowship with
II the nations of the world.
FellOw-Citizens, we have reached the close OF a
OlitiCal contest marked by the excitement which
sually attends the contests between great pOlih-
al parties whose members espouse and advocate
With earnest faith their respective creeds. The
were perhaps in no respect exLraor-
mary save in the closeness and consequent
ncertanty OF the result. For the first time in
be history Of the country it has been deemed
est, In view Of the peculiar circumstances OF the
ase, that the objections and questions in dispute
nth reference TO the counting OF the electoral
Otes should be referred to the decision Of tribu-
al appointed for this purpose, That tribunal,
by law for this sole purpose, its mem
ers, all OF them men of long-es tablished reputa
On for integrity and intelligence, and with the
reception OF those who also members OF
ne Supreme judiciary chosen equally from
9th political parties, its deiberatiOn en-
ghtened by the research and arguments Of able
Ounsel, was entitled TO the fullest confidence OF
he American people. Its decisions have been
Atiently waited for aud accepted M conclusive
y the general judgment Of the pubkc. For the
resent opinion will widely vary as TO the wisdom
I the several conclusions announced by that tri-
unal This Is to be anticipated in every instance
here matters OF dispute are made the subject OF
under the forms Of law. Human judg-
lent is never unerring, and is rarely regarded as
q the contest. The fact that tive great parties
ave In this way settled dispute in regard 10
lhich good men differ as to the law, no less than
5 to the proper course TO be pursued in solving
be question In controversy, Is an occasion for gem
raj rejoicing
Upon one point there Is entire unanimity IN
ublic sentiment: that the conflicting claims 70
be Presidency must be amicahly and peaceably
djnsted, and that when so adjusted the general
cquieseence OF the nation ought surely to follow.