The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-03-15

ments to Office were not to be made nor expect
ed merely as rewards for partisan services, nor
merely on the nomination of members OF Con-
gress as being entitled in any respect to the
control Of such appointments. The fact that
both the great political parties of the country,
in declaring their principles prior to the cleo
ton gave a prominent place to the subject OF
reform of our civil service, recognizing and
strongly urging its necessity in terms almost
identical in their specific import with those /
have employed must be accepted as conclu-
sive argument 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 political parties are vir-
tually pledged to give it their unreserved sup
port. ------
The President of the United States of neces-
sity owes his election to the Office to the suf
frage and Jealous labors of political party.
the members of which cherish with ardor and
regard as of essential importance the principles
of their party organization. But he should
strive to be always mindful Of the fact that he
serves his party best who serves the country
best. ..
In furtherance Of the reform we seek and in
other important respects change of great i'm
poitance, recommend an amendment to the
Constitution prescribing a term of six years for
the Presidential Office and forbidding a re-elec-
ton. nd.
..F THE FINANCES.
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. The
depression in all our varied commercial and
manufacturing interests throughout the country
which began in September, 1878, still continues.
1t is very gratifying, however, to be able to say
that there are indications all around us of
coming change to prosperous times.
Upon the currency question, intimately con-
nected as it is with this topic, may be per-
taI 10 atofa II,
my letter of acceptance, that in my judgment
the feeling of uncertainty inseparable from an
irredeemable paper currency with its tluctua-
tiops of value is one Of the greatest obstacles
to a return to prosperous times The only safe
paper currency is one which rests upon q coin
basis and is at all times and promptly converti-
bic into coin. | adhere to the views heretofore
expressed by me in favor of Congressional leg
islation in behalf of an early resumption of
specie payment, and am satisfied not only that
this is wise but that the interests well as the
public sentiment of the country imperatiyely
demand it.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Passing from these remarks upon the condi-
ton of our own country to consider our rela-
tions with other lands, we are reminded by
the international complications abroad threat
ening the peace of Europe that our traditional
rule of non-interference in the affairs of foreign
nations has proved of great value in past times
inaugurated by my honored predecessor, Pres-
dent Grant, of submitting to arbitration grave
questions in dispute between ourselves and for
eign powers points to new, and incomparably
the best, instrumentahty for the preservation
of peace, and will. as believe. become bene-
ficient example of the course to be pursued in
similar emergencies by other nations. If. un-
happily, questions of difference should, at
any time during the period of my administra-
ton, arise between the United States and any
foreign government it will certainly be my dis
position 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 oil the
nations of the world.
THE SETTLEMENT or THE PRESIDENTIAL CUES
Fellow-citizens We have reached the close
of political contest marked by the excitement
which usually attends the contests between
great political parties whose members espouse
and advocate with earnest faith their respective
creeds. The circumstances were, perhaps, in
no respect extraordinary, save in the closeness
and consequent uncertainty 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 in dispute with reference to the
counting of the electoral votes should be re-
ferred to the decision of tribunal appointed
for this purpose That tribunal established
by law for this sole purpose, its members all of
them men OF long established reputation for
integrity and intelligence, and with the excep-
tion of those who are also members of the
supreme judiciary chosen equally from both
political parties its deliberation enlightened by
the research and the arguments of able coun-
sci, was entitled to the fullest confidence of the
American people. Its decisions have been
patiently waited for and accepted as legally
conclusive by the general judgment of the pub
lal
to the wisdom of the several conclusions an
nounced by that tribunal. This is to be antici-
pated in every instance where matters of dis
pute are made the subject of arbitration under
the forms of law. Human Judgment is never
nnerring, and is rarely regarded as otherwise
than wrong by the unsuccessful party in the
contest. The fact that two great political parties
have in this way settled a dispute in regard to
which good men differ as to the facts and law,
no less than as to the proper course to be pur-
sued in solving the question in controversy is
an occasion for general rejoicing.
Upon one point there is entire unanimity in
public sentiment, that conflicting claims to the
Presidency must be amcable and peaceably ad-
justed, and that when SO adjusted the general
acquiescence of he nation ought surelyto follow.
1t had been reserved for government of people
where the right of suffrage j. universal to give
to the world the first example in history of a
great nation in the midst of struggle of oppos-
ing parties for power hushing its party tumults
to yield the issue of the contest TO adjust
ment according TO the forms of law.
Looking for the guidance of that Divine hand
by which the destinies of nations and individuals
are shaped, l call upon you, senators, represen-
tatiyes, judges, fellow-citizens, here and every
where, to unite with me in an earnest effort to
secure to our country the blessing not only of
material prosperity, but of justice, peace and
union-a union depending not upon the con-
straint of force, but upon the loving devotion
of free people "and that all things may be
SO ordered and settled upon the best and surest
foundations that peace and happiness, truth
and justice, religion and piety may be estab
lished among us for all generations"