Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-03-09
the people. Universal suffrage
should rest upon
UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.

rest upon
UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.
TO this end, liberal and permanent
provisions should be made for the
support Of tree schools by the State
governments, and if need be supple
mented by legitimate aid from the
the national authority. Let me as
sure my countrymen of the Southern
States that it is my earnest desire to
regard and promote their huest in
terests-the interests of the white
and of the colored people both, and
equally; and to put forth my best ef-
forts in behalf Of a civil policy,
which will forever wipe out in our
political affairs the color line, and the
distinction between North and South
to the end that we may have not
merely Il united South but a united
country.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
l ask the attention of the public to
the paramount necessity of reform in
in our civil service; reform not
merely as to certain abuses and prac-
tees of the SO called official patron
age which have come to have the
sanction of usage in the several de-
partments of our government, but u
change OF the system of appoint
ment itself; a reform that shall be
thorough, radical aud complete; a
return to tho principles and prac-
tees of the founders of the govern
ment, They neither expected or de-
sired from the public officers any
partisan service. They meant that
public officers should give their
whole service to the government and
to the people. They meant that an
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
fee were not to be made nor expect
ed merely as rewards for partisan
service, nor merely on the nomina-
alton of members of Congress as be-
ing entitled in any respect to the con-
troll Of such appointments. The fact
that both political parties of the
country in declaring their principles
prior to election gave prominent
place to the subject OF the reform of
our civil service, recognizing its i'm
portance in terms almost identical In
their specific import with those !
have here employed, must be accept
ed as conclusive argument in behalf
or these measures. 1t must be re-
garded as the expression of the unit
ed voice and will of the whole coun
try upon this subject, and both po'
litical parties are virtually pledged
to give it tn ir unroserved support.
The President of the United States
of necessity owes his election to the
office to the suffrage and Jealous
labors of a political party, the mem.
bers Of which cherish with ardor and
regard rs of essential importance the
principles OF their party organization;
but he should strive to he always
mindful OF the fact that he serves
his party best who serves his coun'
try best.
THE ONE-TERM AMENDMENT.
In furtherance of the reform we
seek, and as in several other respects
a change of great Importance, l rec
ommend an amendment to the con
stitution prescribing . term of sia
years for the Presidential office, and
forbidding reelection.
FINANCIAL MATTERS.
With respect to the financial con-
dition OF the country, l shall not at
tempt an extended history of the EN-
barassment and prostration from
which we have suffered during the
past three years. The depression in
all orr varied commercial and manu-
featuring interests throughout the
country, which began in September
1873, still continues. 1t is very graf
flying, however, to be able to say
that there are indications all around
us of coming change to prosperous
times. Upon
THE CURRENCY QUESTION,
intimately associated rs it is with
this topic, l may be permitted to re-
peat the statement made in my let
ter of acceptance. In my judgment
the feeling OF uncertainty insepara
BILE from the use of paper currency
with Its fluctuations Of value, is one
of the greatest obstacles in the way
Of return to prosperous times. The
only safe paper currency is one
which rests upon coin basis, and is
at all times promptly convertible In
to coin. I adhere to the views here
tofore exp, essed 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 the inter
ests, as well as the public sentiment
of the country, imperatively demand
it.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Passing from remarks UPON tbs
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 ira
ditional rule of non-i4terferepce 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 hon
ored predecessor, President Grant, Of
submitting to arbitration grave ques-
tons in dispute between ourselves
and foreign powers, points to Q new
and incomparably best instrumental
ty for the preservation Vt peace, and
will, as believe, become beneficent
example of the course to be pursued
in similar emergencies by other na.
tons. If, unhappily, questions of diff
ference should arise at any time dur.
ing the period of my administration,
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 profitable way, thus as.
Sur,nu tn our country the great bless.