The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-03-08

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our Government, bata change in the sys-
| TEN of appointment itself; "a reform that
shall be thorough, radical, and complete; 4
return to the principles aud practices OF the
founders Of the Government, They neither
| expected nor desired that public officers
should 0we their whole service to the Gov
eminent and to the people. They mean
that the officer shall be secure in his Office as
long as his personal character remains I'M
| furnished and the performance of duties sat
isfactory. They held that appointments to
office were not to be made nor held as re-
wards for partisan service. Eor merely on
the nomination Of members of Congress as
being entitled in any respect to the control
OF such appointments.
The fact that both OF the great political
parties OF the country in declaring their
principles prior to the election gave a promi-
| nent place to the subject OF reform of our
civil service, recognizing and strangely urs-
| ing its necessity in terms almost identical in
| their specific import with those have here
| employed. must be accepted as Il conclusive
argument in behalf of these measures. Ii
| must be regarded as the expression of the
united voice and will OF the whole country
upon this subject, and both political parties
are virtually pledged to give in their unre-
served support.
| The President Of the United States, of ne
cessity, owes his election to Office to the spf-
frage and jealous labors OF political party
the members OF which cherish the ardor and
regard as of essential Importance the princi-
pies OF the party organization; but he should
| strive to be always mindful OF the fact that
he serves lis party best who serves his coln.
| try best.
! In furthcrancc OF the reform wc seek, aud
in other important respects change OF
! great Importance. recommend an amend
ment to-tiie Constitution prescribing term
| OF six years for the presidential office, and
| forbdlling 4 re election.
With respect to the financial condition of
| the country, l shall not attempt an extend.
| ed history OF the embarrassment and pros
tration which We have suffered during the
past three years.
The depression in all our varied CONNER
! cial 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 in
dicationS all around liz OF coming change
to prosperous time.
Upon The currency question, intimately
connected as it is with this topic, may be
permitted 10 repeat here the statement made
IN my letter OF acceptance that in my judy
ment the feeling Of uncertainty inseparable
IRON an lrredecmable paper currency, with
Its fluctuations with values, is one Of the
Creates obstacles to return to Il prosper
Gus time. The only safe paper currency is
one winch rests upon 4 coin basis and is ut
all times and promptly convertible into coin.
adhere 10 the views heretofore expressed
by me in favor OF congressional legislation
III behalf OF an early resumption OF specie
payment, anu am not only satisfied that
this is wise, bnt thar the interests as we'll as
the public sentiment Of the country impera-
lively demand it. .
RAISING from these remarks upon the con-
oilion OF our country to consider our rela- |
ions with other lands, we are reminded BY
tne International complications abroad, |
threatening the peace OF Europe. that our
traditional rule of n0n.interference in the |
affairs OF foreign nations has proved of great |
value in past tunes and ought to be strictly |
observed. The policy inaugurated by my |
hohorcd predecessor, President Grant, OF |
submitting to arbitration grave questions OF |
dispute between ourselves and foreign pow
ers, points to new and iucomparably the !
best instrumentsiity for the preservation of |
peace, and will as believe become a be- |
nefcent example Of the course to be pur-
sued IN similar emergencies by other ma
lions.
If, unllappily, questions Of difference
should at any time during the period of nv |
administration arise 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 honorable way. thus securing to our
country the great blessings OF peace and |
mutual good offices with all the nations of
the world.
Fellow citizens, We have reached the close
OF a political contest marked by 1.-The excite
tneht which usually attends the contests be-
tween great political parties whose members I
espoase and advocate with earnestfaitL their
respective ereeds. The circumstances were
perhaps In no respect extraordinary save in
the close aess and the consequent uncertain
ty of the result.
For the first time in the history of the
country it has been deemed best. in view of
the peculiar circumstances of the case, that
the objections and questions iE dispute with
reference to the counting Of the electoral
votes should be referred to the decision of a
tribunal appointed for that purpose, that
Tribunal. established by law for this sole
purpose. with its members, all Of them, Of
reputation for integrity and
and, with the exception OF those
who are also members of the supreme judici-
airy, chosen equally from both political par
lies, its deliberations enlightened by the re-
search and the arguments of able counsel.
was entitled to the fullest confidence of the
American people.
Its decisions have been patiently waited
tor and accepted as legally conclusive by tho
general Judgment Of the public For the
present. opinion Will widely vary as to the
wisdom OF the several conclusions announced
ay that tribunal. This is to be anticipated
n every instance where matters of dispute
ire made the subject of arbitration under
ie forms OF law. Human judgment i. new
IF unerring, and especially regarded as 9th
.rwise than wrong by the unsuccessful partv
II the contest. The fact that two great polit-
cal parties haye in this way settled DISPUTE E
n regard to which good men differ as TO the +
acts ana as to the proper course to be pur- .
ued in solving the question in controversy
an occasion for general rejoicing. Upon t
me point there is entire unanimty in pub q
&c sentlment-that conflicting claims to the
presidency must be amicably adjusted, and
hat when so adjusted the general acquies-
ence OF the nation ought surely to follow.
IL mas been reserved for Il government of | a
he people where the right Of suffrage is uni !
elsa to give to the world the first example
n history OF a great nation, in the midst OF I
struggle Of opposing parties for power,
uShng Its party t'lmults to yield to the is v
lie OF the contest to adjustment accor}ino U
0 the forms of law.
Looking fer the guidance of that Divine
and by which the destinies of nations and
Individuals are shaped, call upon you. sem
tors, representatives, judges, fellow-citi- J
ems, here and everywhere, to unite with {
le IN an earnest effort 70 secure to our coun- i
~ the blessings not only OF material pros O
Gritty, bat OF justice, peace, and union, a :
Mon depending not upon the constraint OF
'rce, but upon the loving devotion OF free
eople, anf that all things may be so order c
q and settled upon the best and surest I
,undatlons that peace aud happiness, truth +
nd Justice, religion and piety, may be cs- :,
ab'is'1ed among US for all generations.
Senator Morton Speaks. =