Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-09

important work of the restoration of the
South. IL is not the political situation alone
that merits attention. The material devel-
opment OF that section of the country has
been arrested by the social and political
revolution through which 1t has passed,
and now needs and deserves tue consider
ate care of the national government with
in the just limits prescribed by the consti-
tuition and wise public economy.
But at the rasis of all prosperity for that,
as well as for every other part of the coun-
try, lies the improvement of the intellectual
and moral condition of the people. Uni.
versal suffrage should rest upon universal
education. To this end liberal aud perma-
ncut provision should be made for the sup
port of tree schools by the state govern
ments, and If need be, supplemented by
legitimate aid from national authority.
Let me assure my countrymen OF the
Southern States that ii is my earnest de-
sire to regard and promote their truest IN
tercsts, the interests of the white and OF the
colored people, both and equally, 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 dis
| iinction between North and South, to the
end that we may have not merely united
North or a united South, but united
country.
CIVIL SERNlCE kEfOkMs
ask the attention of the public to the
paramount necessity of reform in our civil
service, reform not merely as TO certain
abuses and practices, of so-called official
patronage, which have come TO have the
sanction of usage in the several depart
ments of our government, but change in
the system of appointment itself; reform
| that shall be thorough, radical and COM
| plete; a return TO the principles and
| practices of the founders Of the govern
ment. They neither expected nor de-
sired from public officers any partisan
service. They meant that public officers
| should owe their whole service 10 the gov
eminent and TO the people. They meant
that the officer should be secure in his ten
ure as long as his personal character re-
manned untarnished, and the performance
| of his duties satisfactory. They held that
appointments to Office were not to be made
| nor expected merely as rewards for parti-
san services, nor merely on the nomination
| of members of Congress as being entitled
in any respect to the control of such ap-
| pointments.
The fact that both the great political par
ties of the country, in declaring their prin-
cipes prior TO the election, gave a promi-
nent place to the subject of reform of our
| civil service, recognizing and strongly urg-
| ing its necessity in terms almost identical
| in their specific import with those l have
| here employed, must be accepted as a con-
elusive argument in behalf of these meas
ure5. 1t must be regarded as the express
sion OF the united voice and will of the
| whsle country upon this subject, and both
| political parties are virtually pledged tC
give it their unreserved support. The
President of the United 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 prin'
cples of their party organization. But ht
| should strive to be always mindful OF the
fact that he serves his party best who
serves his country best. In furtherance o
the reform we seek, and in other impor
tant respects change OF great importance
l recommend an amendment to the consti
tuition, prescribing term of six years fol
the presidential Office and forbidding re
| election.
THE FINANCES AND THE CURRENCY.
With respect to the financial condition o
the country, shall not attempt an extend
ed history of the embarrassment and pros
tration we have suffered during the pas
three years. The depression in all our va
ried commercial and manufacturing inter
ests throughout the country, which begar
in September, 1873, still continues. 1t j
| gratifying, however, 10 be able to say tina
there are indications all around us Of a com
ing change to prosperous times. Upon tn
currency question, intimately connected, a
it is, with this topic, may be permitted t
repeat here the statement made in my let
ter of acceptance, that in my judgment tn
feeling of uncertainty inseparable from al
irredeemable paper currency, with its fluc
tuations of values, is one of the greatest oh
stacles to a return to prosperous times. TIL
| only co ia tNnn 10 which rpgt
upon a coin basis, and is at all times an
promptly convertible into coin. ] adher
10 the views heretofore expressed by me j
favor of congressional legislation in behal
of an early resumption of specie payment
and am satisfied not only that it is wist
but that the interests, as well as the publ
sentiment of the country imperatlvely de
mand it.
OUR FOREIGN POLICY.