The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-06

ureS as Will secure inc complete security OF
all its citizens in the free enjoyment of all
their constitutional rlghts, is now the one
subject in our public affaire, which all
thoughtful and patriotic citizens regard as
OF supreme importance. Many of the
caamitous effects of the tremendous revo-
luton which has passed over the southern
states still remain. The unreasonable bene-
FITS which will surely follow sooner
or later the hearty aud generous
acceptance of the legitimate results
of that revolution have not yet
been realized. Difficult and embarrassing
questions meet us at the threshold of this
subject. The people Of those states are
eill impoverished, and the inestimablc
blessing of wise, honest and peaceful local
seli-government is not fully enjoyed.
Whatever difference of opinion may exist
as to the cause for this condition of things,
the fact ia clear that 10 the progress of
events the time has come when such a gov
ernment is the imperative necessity re-
qured by all the varied interests, public
ard private, of these states. But 1t must
not be forgotten that only local govern
ment which recognizes and maintains in
violate the rights of all is a true self gov
eminent, with respect to the two distinct
races whose peculiar relations to each
complications and perplexities which exist
in those states. 1t must be government
which guards the interests of both races
carefully and equally, which submits loyal
y and heartily to the constitution and the
laws, the laws of the patton and of the
states themselves, accepting and obeying
faithfully the whole constitution as il Is,
Resting upon this sure and substantial
foundation, the superstructure of beneficent
local governments can be built up, and not
otherwise. In furtherance of such obedience
to the letter and the eprit of the consttu-
ton, and in behalf of all that its attainment
implies, all so-called party interests lose
their appart mt Importance, and party lines
may well be permitted to face into insig-
nifcauce.
The question we have to consider for the
immediate welfare OF those states is d ques-
ton Of government or no government Of
social order and all the peaceful industries
and the happiness that belong 10 it, OF re.
turn to barbarism 1t is q question in
which every citizen of the nation is deeply
interested, and with respect to which we
ought not to be in partisan sense, either
republicans or democrats, but fellow cit-
zens and fellow men to whom the inter
ests of common country and common hu-
mainly are dear. The sweeping revolution
of the entire labor system of a large por-
ton OF our country, and the advance Of
| four millions of people from condition of
servitude to that of citizenship, upon an
equal footing with their former masters,
| could not occur without presenting prob
| lens of the gravest moment to tie dealt
with by the emapcipated race, by their
| former masters, and the general govern
ment. The author of the act of emanci-
patton was Abraham Lincoln. That it was
wise, just and providential act, fraught
with good TO all concerned, is now general
| ly conceded throughout the country. That
| a moral obligation rests upon the national
| government to employ Its constitutional
power and Influence TO establish the rights
of the people it has emancipated, and to pro-
tect them in the enjoyment Of those rights
when they are infringed or asssiled, is also
generally admitted. The evils which af-
| flict the southern states can only be remov-
| ed or remedied by the united and harmonic
ous efforts of beth races, actuated by mo-
tives of mutual sympathy and regard, and
| while in duty bound and fully determined
| to protect the rights of all by every consti-
| tutional means at the disposal of my ad-
ministration, am sincerely anxious TO use
| every l. eitimate Influence in favor of hon.
| est aud Ell ,ient local self government, as
the true resource of those sta IS for the
| promotion of the contentment and prosper
ity of their citizens. In the effort l shall
make to accomplish this purpose, ask the
cordial cooperation of all who cherish an
interest in the welfare of the country,
trusting that party ties and the prejudice
| of race will be freely surrendered in behalf
Of the great purpose to be acc 1mplished in
the important work of restoration of the
south.
1t 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 rev.
olution through which it has passed, and
now needs and deserves the coDsiderate
care of the national government within the
just limits prescribed by the constitution
and wise public economy. But at the basis
of all pr sperity, for that as well as for
every other part of the country, lies the
Improvement of the intellectual and moral
condition of the country. Universal suf.
frage should rest upon universal education.
To this end, liberal and permanent provis-
ion should be made for the support of free
schools by the state governments, and, il
need be, supplemented by legitimate aid
from national authority. Let me assure
my countrymen of the southern states that
it is my earnest desire to regard and pro
mote their best interests, the interests OF
the white and colored people, both ap6
equally, and put forth my best efforts in be
half OF civil policy which will forever
wipe cut in our political affairs the color
line and the distinction between north snc
south to the end that we may have moi
merely united north or united south,
but united country.
ask the attention of the public to the
paramount necessity of reform in our civi
service, reform not merely as to certain
abuses and practices of so-called officia
patronage, which have come to have thu
sanction of usuage in several department.
of our government, but change in the sys
tenn of appointment itself-reform tina
shall be thorough, radical and complete, ,
return to the principles and practices o.
the founders of the government. They
neither expected or desired from public
officers any partisan service. They mean
tina. public officers should owe their whole
service to the government and to the PEG
pie they meant that the officer should b.
secure IN his tenure az long as his persona
Q character remained untsTnished, and tn
performance of his duties satisfactory
They held that appointments to Office wer
not to be made nor expected merely as re
4. wards for partisan services nor merely OF
the nomination Of members of congress O
being entitled in any respect to the contro
7 of such appointments. The fact that boil
: the great political parties of the country, il
q declaring their principles prior to the cleo
ton, gave prominent place to the subjeC
. of reform OF our civil service, recognizing
Z and strongly urging it's necessity in term
!. | almost identical in their specific impor
with those have here employed, must b
accepted as conclusive argument in bt
half of these measures. 1t must be regard
| al No tbo axpreos;op nf tho united voioa q NJ