Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-03-13

10 employ ltS constitutional power
and influence to establish the rights
of the people it has emancipated, and
to protect them in the enjoyment of
those rights when they are infringed or
assailed, is also generally admitted.
The evils which afflict the Southern
States can only be removed or remedied
| by the united and harmonious efforts of
| both races, actuated by motives of mu-
tual sympathy and regard. And while
in duty bound and fully determined to
protect the rights of all by all constitu-
tiOnal means at the disposal of my ad-
ministration, am sincerely anxious to
use every legitimate influence in favor
of honest and efficient local self govern
ment as the true recourse of those States
for the promotion of the contentment
and prosperity of their citizens. In the
effort shall make to accomplish this
purpose / ask the cordial cooperation of
all who cherish an interest in the well
fare of the country, trusting that party
ties and the prejudice of race will be
freely surrendered in behalf of the great
purpose to be accomplished.
In the important work of
RESTORING THE SOUTH,
it is not the political situation alone that
merits attention. The material develop
ment of that section of the country has
been arrested by the social and political
revolution through which it has passed,
and now needs and deserves the consid-
crate care Of the National Government
within the just limits prescribed by the
Constitution and wise public economy !;
but the basis of all prosperity for that
as well as for every other part of the
country lies in the improvement of the
| ipfo md nAifiAu Of hn
people. s1sC1
Universal suffrage should rest upon
universal education. To this end liberal
and permanent provision should be
made for the support of free schools by
| the State governments, and, if need be,
supplemented by legitimate aid from
national authority. sa,ti
Let me assure my countrymen of the
Southern States that it is my earnest
desire to regard and promote their truest
interests-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 distinction between North and
South, to the end that we may have not
merely united North and united
South, but united country.
|
the paramount necessity of reform in
oui civil service-a reform not merely
to ascertain abuses and practices of So
called official patronage which have
come to have the sanction of usage in
the several departments of our Govern
ment, but a change in the system Of ap-
pointment itself; reform that shall be
thorough, radical. and complete; re-
turn to the principles and practices of
the founders of the Government. They
neither expected nor desired that public
officers should owe their whole service
to the Government and to the people
They mean that the officer shall be Sc
cure in his office as long as his personal
character remains untarnished and the
performance of duties satisfactory
They held that appointments to office
were not to be made or held as
REWARDS FOR PARTISAN SERVICE,
nor merely on the nomination of MEM
bers of Congress as being entitled In
any respect to the control of such ap-
pointments.
The fact that both of the great political
parties of the country in declaring their
principles prior to the election gave a
prominent place to the subject of re-
form of our civil service, recognizing
and strongly urging its necessity in
terms almost identical in their specific
import with those have here employed,
must be accepted as conclusive argu :
ment 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 po-
litical parties are virtually pledged to
give 1t their unreserved support.
The President of the United States of
necessity owes his election to office to
the suffrage and jealous labors of po-
litical party, the members of which
cherish with ardor and regard as of es-
sential importance the principles of the
party organization. but he should strive
to be always mindful of the fact that he
serves his party best who serves his
country best.
In furtherance of the reform we seek,
and in other important respects change
of great importance, I recommended an
amendment to the Constitution prescrib-
ing term of six years for the presiden-
tial office, and forbidding re election.
With respect to the financial condition
of the country shall not attempt an
extended history of the embarrassment
and prostration which we have suffered
during the past three years.
| mercial and manufacturing interests
throughout the country which began in
| September, 1873, still continues. 1t is
very gratifying, however, to be able to
say that there are indications all around
us of q coming change to prosperous
times.
Upon the currency question, intimate
ly connected as it is with this topic,
may be permitted to repeat here the
statement made in my letter of accep-
tance that In my judgment the feeling
of uncertainty inseparable from an
| IRREDEEMABLE PAPER CURRENCY,
with its fluctuations with values, Is one
of the greatest obstacles to q return to
a prosperous time. The only safe paper
currency is one which rests upon coin
basis and is at all times and promptly
convertible into coin. l adhere to the
views heretofore expressed by me In IA
vor of congressional legislation in be-
half of an early resumption of specie
payment, and 1 am not only satisfied
that it is wise, but that the interests as
well as the public sentiment OF the
country imperatively demand it.
Passing from these remarks upon the
condition of our country to consider our
relations with other lands, we are re.
minded by the international complica..
tions abroad, threatening the peace OF
| Europe, that our traditional rule OF non
Interference in the affairs of foreign ma
tions has proved Of great value in past
times and ought to be strictly observed:
The policy inaugurated by my honored
predecessor, President Grant, OF submit