The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1877-03-08

luton through which it has passed, ano
1t now needs and deserves considerable,
care from the rational government,
within the just limits prescribed by the
constitution and wise public economy
But as the basis of all prosperity fol
that, as well as every. other part of the
country, Is the improvement Of the NOR
al and intellectual condition of the PEG
pie, universal suffrage should rest upor
universal education. To this end loer
al and permanent provisions should b,
made tor free schools by the state gov
ernment, and if need be, supplements
by legitimate aid from the national au
thorty. Let me assure my ccuntrymer
OF the southern states that it is my earn
est desire TO iegard and promote theil
lruest interests-the interest of the
white and Of the colored people bott
and equally, and 10 put forth my bes
efforts in behalf OF civil policy which
will forever wipe out in our political at
fairs the color line and the distinction
between north and south, and TO the end
that We may not have merely q uni,eo
south but united country.
l ask the attention of the public TO
the paramount necessity Of reform in
our evil servire-a reform not merely
AS to certain abuses and practices of the
so called official patronage which have
como TO have the sanction of usage in
the several departments OF our govern
ment; but a change OF the system of APP
pointments itself; reform that shall be
thorough, radical and complete; "a return
to the principles and practices OF the
founders of the government. They
never expected, nor desired, from public
officers, any partisan service. They
meant that public officers should owe
their whole service to The government
and to the people. They meant an of
ticer should be secure in his tenure as
long as his personal character remained
untarnished and the performance OF his
duties satisfactory. They held that the
appointments to office. were not to be
made or expected merely US rewards for
partisan service, nor merely on the nom
ination of members Of congress, as be-
ing emitted in any respect to the control
of such appointment. The fact that
both of the political parties of the coun
try, in declaring their principles, prior
to the election, gave a prominent place
to the object OF the reform of our civil
service, recognizing and strongly urging
its necessity in terms almost ldentlcal in
their specific import with those ]
have here employed, must be accepted
as conclusive argument in the bebal.
of those measures. 1t must be regarded
as an expression of the united voice and
will of the whole country upon this sub
ect, and both of the political parties are
virtually pledged to give it their unrc-
served support.
The President of the united States of
necessity owes his election to office to
the suffrage and jealous labors of Il po
ltical party, the membc IS of which cher
ish with ardor, and regard as of essential
Importance, the principles OF their party
But he should strive to
be always mindful of the fact, that he
serves his party best who serves his
best. In furtherarce of the re-
forms we seek, and in other respects, u
change of great Importance, | recon-
mend an amendment to the constitution,
prescribing the term OF six years for the
presidential Office and forbiding re-
election.
With respect to the financial condition
Of the country, snail not attempt an
extended history of the embarrassment
and prostration which We have suffered
during the past three years-the depres-
sion in all our varied commercial and
interests throughout The
which began in September,
1873. There are Indications ali around
)t coming change to prosperous times.
Upon the currency question, intimately
as it Is with this topic, 1 may
DC permitted to repeat here the state
nent made in my letter of acceptance,
hat in my judgement the feeling of I'M
certainty inscparable from an irredeem
Ible paper currency, with its fuclua-
ions OF value, Is one OF the greatest OBJ
taclcs OF Il return 10 prosperous times.
The ohly safe paper currency is one
which rests upon "a coin basis, and at all
INES and properly converted into coin.
advert 10 the views heretofore express
ID by me IN favor OF congressional leg
station in behalf of an early resumption
# specie payments, and All. satisfied
hat not only is this wise, but the inter
sls, as well us the public sentiment of
be country, imperatlvcly demands it.
Passing from these remarks upon the
of our own country, we are
emlnded by the international comph-
atoms abroad, threatening The peace of
Europe, that our traditional rule OF non
Interference in the affairs of foreign ma
ons bias proven OF great value in past
mes, and ought To be strictly observed.
he policy inaugurated by my honored
PREDECESSOR, President Grant, of sub
hitting TO arbitration grave questions \
! dispute between ourselves and foreign =
overs, points 10 new and incompaTably =
10 best Instrument allties tor the pres
rvation OF peace, and will, rs | believe,
etome \ beneticeDt example OF the
purse to be pursued in similar emergen-
es by other nations.
If The unhappy question of differences
,Ould at any time, during the period OF =
y administration, arise between the
nited States and any foreign govern l.
ent, it will certainly &c my disposition
I'd my hope 10 aid in their settlement
the same peaceful and honorable way,
Jus securing TO orr country the greatest