The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-12-13

which will keep both metals in circulation
in their appropriate spheres of common use.
An absolute equality of commercial value,
free from disturbing fluctuations, is hardly
attainable, and without ii an unlimited
legal-tender for private transactions, as
signed to both metals, would tend to drive
out of circulation the dearest coinage,
and disappoint the principal object pro-
posed by the legislation in view.
/ apprehend, therefore, that the two con-
ditions Of near approach to an equality of
commercial value between gold and silver
coinage of the same denomination, and of a
limitation of amounts for which the silver
coinage is to be legal tender, are essential
to maintaining both in circulation.
If these conditions can be successfully OBJ
served the issue from the mint of silver dol
lars would afford material assistance to the
community in the transition to redeem
able paper money, and would facilitate the
resumption of specie payments and its per-
manent establishment. Without these con-
ditions 1 fear that only mischief and mis-
fortune would follow from a coinage of sill
yer dollars, with the quality of unlimited
legal tender. Even in private transactions
any expectation of temporary loss from an
issue of silver coinage, to pass as legal
tender at a rate materially above its COM
mercial valueis, am persuaded, a delusion.
Nor can 1 think that there is any SUBJ
stantial distinction between an original
| issue of silver dollars at nominal value,
material above their commercial value, and
the restoration of the silver dollar at rate
| which once was, but has ceased to be, its COM
mercial value. Certainly the issue of our
gold coinage, reduced in weight materially
below its legal tender value, would not be
any the less present debasement of the
coinage by reason of its equaling or even ex-
ceediug in weight a good coinage which at
some past time had been commercially
equal to the legal tender value assigned to
the new issue.
In recommending that the regulation of
any silver coinage which may be authorized
by Congress should observe these condi-
tions of commercial value and limited legal
tender, am governed by the feeling that
every possible increase should be given to
the value of metallic money which can be
kept in circulation, and thereby every pos
sible aid afforded to the people in the pro-
cess of resuming specie payments. 1t is be-
cause of my conviction that a disregard of
these conditions, would Illustrate the good
results which are desired from the proposed
coinage, and embarrass with new elements
of confusion and uncertainty the business
of the country, that urge your attention
to these considerations.
SILVER AND THE PUBLIC DEBT.
I respectfully recommend to Congress
that, in any legislation providing for a
silver coinage, and imparting to it the
quality of legal tender, there be impressed
on the measure firm provision exempting
the public debt, heretofore issued and now
outstanding, from payment, either of prin-
cipal or interest, in any coinage of less
value than the present gold coinage of the
| country.
THE CIVIL SERVICE
Upon the civil service question, the Presi-
| dent again states, in substance, the opinions
of his inaugural address. In consideration
of the fact that his views on the question
are generally known, he has evidently
thought it unnecessary to discuss the sub
| ject at length. No allusion is made directly
| to the differences which have existed be-
tween the Senate and the Executive with
respect to appointments, nor is there any
thing in the message which shows the dis
position on the part of the president to
quarrel with the Senate, or encroach in any
way upon the prerogatives of that body.
---=----- FOREIGN.
The President favors the acceptance of the
| invitation of France to attend the Exposi-
ton next year, believing that a well selected
exhibition of the product of American
industry on that occasion, will tend to
| stimulate international commerce and i'm
migration, as well as to promote the tradi-
tional friendship between the two countries
| He says the question of Extradition between
the United States and Great Britain has
| been happily settled. On the Mexican
question he says that the revolution, which
recently occurred in Mexico, was followed
by the accession of the successful party to
power and the installation of its Chief Cen
| eral, Porfrio Diaz, in the Presidential office.
1t has been the custom of the United States,
when such changes of Government have
heretofore occurred in Mexico, to recognize
aud enter into official relation with the de
fdcto Government as soon as it should ap-
pear to have the approval of the Mexican
people, and should manifest disposition
to adhere to the obligations of treaties and
international friendship. In the present
case such official recognition has been
deferred by the occurrences on the Rio
| Grande border, the records of which have
already been communicated to each House
of Congress, in answer to their respective
resolutions of inquiry. Assurances have
been received that the authorities at the
seat of the Mexican Government have both
the disposition and power to prevent and
punish such unlawful invasions and depre-
dations. 1t is earnestly to be hoped that
events may prove these assurances to be
well founded. The best interest of both
countries require the maintenance OF
peace on the borders, and the development
of commerce between the two Republics.
1t is gratifying to add that this temporary
interruption of official relations has not pre-
vented due attention by the representatives
of the United States in Mexico to the pro.
baton of American citizens as far as practi-
cable, nor has it interfered with the prompt
payment of the amounts due from Mexico
to the United States, under the treaty OF
July 4, 1868, and the awards of the Joint
Commission.
While l do not anticipate the interruption
of friendly relations with Mexico, yet can
not but look with solicitude upon a contin
uance of border disorders as exposing the
two countries to waves of popular feeling
and the mischances of action which are nat
urally unfayorable to complete amity.
Firmly determined that nothing shall bs
wanting on my part to promote good un
derstanding between the two nations, ye
, must ask the attention of Congress to tht
actual occurrences on the border, that tht
: lives and property of our citizens may bt
adequately protected and peace preserved.
CUBA AND THE INsURREcTIoN.
; Another year has passed without bringin,
: to a close the protracted contest betweeI
7 the Spanish Government and the insurrec
IlOu III lu6 lSlduu VI SuDd w HllC buC OHlbtt
: States have sedulously abstained from inter
, vention in this controversy, it is impossible
t not to feel that it is attended by incident
f affecting American citizens. Apart from tn
: effect of the hostilities upon trade betweel
: the United States and Cuba their progres
5 is inevitably accompanied by complaint
e having more or less foundation. Searches
S arrests, embargoes, and oppressive take
e upon the property of American resident
: and of unprovoked interference with Amer
3 lean vessels and commerce, 1t is due t.
f the Government of Spain to say, that durin
e the past year it has promptly disavowe
s and offered reparation for any unauthorize
y acts of unduly Jealous subordinates, when
s ever such acts have been brought to ii
e attention. Nevertheless such occurrence
n can not but tend to excite a feeling of al
/ noyance, suspicion and resentment, whic
It are greatly to be deprecated between tn
y respective subjects and citizens of tw
h friendly powers.
THE VENEZUELAN CLAIMS.
. Much delay, consequent upon the accus,
: tions of fraud in some of the awards, hs
n occurred in respect to the distribution {
f the limited amounts received from Vel
ezuela, under the treaty of April 25, 1856
applicable to the awards of the Joint con