Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-03-08

| through which 1t has passed, ana
now needs and deserves the consider
ate care OF the national government,
within the just limits prescribed by
the constitution aud wise public
economy. But the basis Of al pros.
| pefity for that, as we'll as for every
other part of the country,is the intel.
lec,uel and moral condition Of the
people. Universal suffrage should
rest upon
UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.
TO this end, liberal and permanent
| pre- vision should be made for the
support Of free schools by the State
| governments, and if need be supple
mented by legitimate aid from the
national authority. Let me assure
my countrymen OF the Southern
States that it is my earnest desire to
regard and promote their trDest in
terests-thn interests Of the white
aud the colored people both, and
equally; and TO put forth my best eff
forts in behalf of civil policy which
will forever wipe out in our political
affairs the colpr line and the distinct
ton between North and South, to
the end that we may have not mere-
| IL united South but united coun-
try.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
| ask the attention of the public TO
the paramount necessity of reform in
our civil service; reform not mere.
ly as to certain abuses and practices
of the so called official patronage
| which have come to have the sane
ton of usage in the several depart
ments of our government, but q
change of the system Of appointment
itself; radical and complete; re-
turn to the principles and practices
of the founders OF the government.
They neither expected nor desired
from the public officers any partisan
service. They meant that public Of
fcers should give their whole service
to the government and to the Deo-
pie. They meant that en- officer
should be secure in his tenure as
long as his personal character re-
NAMED untarnished and the perform
ance of his duties satisfactory.
They held that appointments to of
fec were not TO be made nor expect
cd merely as rewards for partisan
service, Lor merely on the nomina.
ton of members of Congress as be-
ing 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 election gave II prominent
place to the subject of the reform of
our civil service, recognizing and
strongly urging it's Importance in
terms almost identical in their specific
import with those / have here em.
ployed, must be accepted as conclus-
i've argument in behalf OF 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 par
ties are virtually pledged to give it
their unreserved support. The Presi-
dent of the United States of necessi-
ty owes his election to office to the
suffrage and Jealous labors of po-
litical party, tho members Of which
cherish with ardor aud 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 bis party
best when be serves his country
best
URGES THE ONE-TERM AMENDMENT.
In furtheraooe of tho reform we
ask, and as in several other respects
a change OF great importance, | rec,
ommend ar amendment TO the con.
stitution prescribing a term of six
years for the Presidential office, and
forbdding a reelection.
FINANCIAL MATTERS.
With respect to the financial con-
dition of the country, | shall not at
tempt an extended history of the
en- barrassmnnt and prostration from
which we have suffered during the
past three years. The depression IN
all our varied commercial and man
ufacturing interests throughout the
country, which began in September,
1873, still continues. 1t is very
gratifying, however, to be able to
say there are indications all around
us of coming change to prosperous
times. Upon
THE CURRENCY QUESTION,
intimately associated as it is with
this topic, may be permitted to re-
peat the statement made in my let
ter of acceptance. La my Judgement
the feeling of uncertainty insepara>
BILE from the use of paper currency,
with it's fluctuations of value, is one
OF the greatest obstaclas in the way
OF a return to prosperous times. The
only safe paper currency is one
which rests upon a coin basis and is
at all times promptly convertible in
to con. / adhere TO the views here
tofore expressed by me in favor Of
congressional legislation in behalf OF
the early resumption of specie pay
ments, and | am satisfied not only
that this is wise, but that tho inter
ests, as well as the public sentiment,
of the country, imperatively demand
it.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Passing from remarks upon the
condition of our own country, to con-
slider our relations with other nations.
we are reminded by international
complications abroad, threatening the
peace of Europe, that our traditional
rule of non. interference in the affairs
of foreign nations has proved of great
value in past times, and ought to te
strictly observed, The policy in augu
rated by my honored predecessor,
President Grant, of submitting to ar
bitration gave questions in dispute be-
tween ourselves and foreign powers,
points to new and incomparably
best instrumentality for the preserva-
ton OF peace, and will, as | believe,
become a beneicient example of the
course to be pursued in similar emer-