Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-06

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| Dut az the basis of all prosperity for that as
wen as Tor every other part Of the country, lies
the promotion of the intellectual and moral condi-
ton of the people. Universal suffrage should
rest upon universal education. To this end liber-
| al and permanent provision should be made for
the support of free schools by the state govern.
ments, and, If need be, supplemented by legiti-
mate aid from national authority.
Let me assure my countrymen of the southern
states, that it is my earnest desire to regard and
promote their truest interests the interests of the
white and of the colored people, both and to put
forth my best efforts in behalf of civil policy
which will forever wipe out in our political affairs
the color line and the distinction between north
and south, that we may have not merely united
north or united south, but united country.
l ask the attention of the public 10 the para
mount necessity of reform in our civil service-a
reform not merely as to certain abuses and practi
ces OF so called official patronage, which have
come to have the sanction of usage in the several
departments of our government, but change in
the system OF appointment tself-a reform that
snail 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 should owe their whole
service to the government and to the people.
They meant that the officer should be secure in
tenure as long as his personal character remained
untarnlshed and the performance of his duties
was satisfactory. They held that appointments to
Office were not to be expected merely as rewards
Tor partizan services; nor merely on the nomina-
any respect to the control of such appointments.
The fact that both the great political parties Of
the country, IN declaring their principles prior to
the election, gave prominent place to the SUBJ
Ject OF reform OF the civil service, recognizing and
strongly urging its necessity in terms almost iden
tcal IN their specific import with those | have
here employed, must be accepted as conclusive
argument in behalf of these measures. 1t must
be regarded as the expression Of the united voice
and viii of the whole country upon this subject
and both political parties are virually pledged to
give 1t their unreseIvcd support.
The President of the United States of necessity
owes his election to office to the support and zeal
GUS labors of political party, the members of
which cherish with ardor and regard as Of essen
tial importance the principles of their party or.
ganlzatlon, but he should strive to be always
mindful Of the fact that he served his party best
who served the country best. In furtherance of
the reform we seek, and in other respects a
change of great importance, l recommend an
amendment to the constitution providing a term
of six years for the Presidential Office and forbid
ding 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
depression in all our varied commercial and man
uiacturng interests throughout the country, which
began in September, 1873, still continues 1t is
very gratifying, however, to be able to say that
there are indcatio 3 all around us of q coming
change to prosperous times.
Upon the currency question intimately connect
cd as It is with this topic, may be permitted to
repeat here the statement made in my letter of ac-
ceptance, that in my judgment the feeling of I'M
certainty inseparable from irredecmable paper
currency with its fluctuations of values is one of
the greatest obstacles to a return to prosperous
times. The only safe paper currency is one which
rests upon coin basis and is at all times prompt
ly convertible into COIN | adhere to the views
heretofore expressed by me in favor of congress
sonal legislation in behalf of an early
resumption of specie payment, and l am sat
sfed not only that this is wise, but that the inter-
ests as well US the public sentiment of the country
imperatively demand it.
Passing from these remarks upon the condition
OF our own country to consider our relations with
other lands we are reminded by the international
complications abroad threatening the peace of Eu-
rope, that our traditional rule of Interference
IN the affairs OF foreign nations has proved of
great value in past times, and ought to be strictly
observed The policy inaugurated by my honored
predecessor, President Grant, of submitting to ar
bitraion grave questions in dispute between
ourselves and foreign powers points to a new and
incomparably the best nstrumentality for the
preservation of peace and will, as believe, be-
come benefcent example OF the course TO be pur-
sued in similar emergencies by other nations.
If unhappy questions of difference should at
any time during the period of my administration
arise between the United States and any foreign
government, it will certainly be my disposition
and my hope to aid in their settlement in the same
peaceful and honorable way, thus securing to our
country the great blessings Of peace and mutual
good offices with all the nations of the world.
Fellow citizens, we have reached the close of
political contest marked by the excitement which
usually attends the contests between great politi-
cal parties whose members espouse and advocate
with warmest faith their respective creed. The
circumstances were, perhaps, in some respects ex-
raordinary, arising from the closeness of the vote
and the consequent uncertainty of the results
For the first time in the history of the country
it has been deemed best in view of the peculiar
circumstances of the case, that the objections and
questions in dispute with reference to the counting
of the electoral votes, should be referred to the de-
cision of a tribunal appointed for this purpose.
That tribunal, established by law for this sole pur-
pose, has as its members. all of them men of long
established reputation for integrity and intei.
gence, and with the exception of those Of the SUI
preme Judiciary, chosen equally from both poti-
cal parties.
Its deliberations were enlightened BY resources
and the arguments of able counsel and was emit
tied to the fullest confidence of the American peo-
pie. Its decisions have been patiently waited for
and accepted as legally conclusive by the general
Judgment Of the public.
For the present. opinion will widely vary as to
the wisdom of the several conclusions announced
by that tribunal. This is to be anticipated in every
instance where matters of dispute are made the
subject Of arbitration under the forms of law. HUI
man judgment is never unening, and is rarely re-
garded as otherwise than wrong by the unsuccess-
ful party in the contest.
The fact that two great political parties have in
this way settled dispute in regard to which good
men differ as to the facts and the law no less than
as to the proper course to be pursued in solving
the question in controversy, occasion for gen
eral rejoicing. Upon one point there is entire
unanmty in public sentiment-that conflict
ing claims TO the presidency must be amicably
aud peaceably adjusted, and that when so adjusted
the general acquesence of the nation. ought surely
to follow.
1t has been reserved for government of the
people where the light OF suffrage is universal, to
give to the world the first example in the history
OF great nation in the midst of a struggle of OPP
posing parties for power, trusting its party tumuts
TO yield the issue Of the contest TO smcabe sd-
justment.
Looking for the guidance Of that Divine hand
by which the destinies of nations and individuals
were shaped, call upon you, Senators, Replesen-
tatiyes, Judges, fellow citizens here and every
where, to unite with me in earnest effort to Sc
cure to our country the blessing not only of mate
rial prosperity, but of justice, peace and union--a
union depending not upon the constituency of
force, but upon the loving devotion of free peo-
pie, tkat all things may be ordered and settled
upon the best and surest foundations that peace
and happiness, truth and Justice, religion and pi-