Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-03-05

as we'll as for overg other part of the country,
lies the Improvement of the intellectual aud
moral condition of the people, Universal sui
trage should rest upon universal education. 10
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. --.,..---.---.----..
Let me assure my cuuntrymer OF the South
ern States that it is my earnest desire to regard
and promote their truest interests, the inter.
csis of the white and Of the colored people
both and equally, and to put forth my best e.
forts in behalf of a civil policy which will for
ever wipe out in our political affairs the colcr
line, and the distinction between North aud
South, to the end that We may have not mere
" united North or united South, but
united country.
amount necessity Of reform in our civil SER
vice. a reform not merely as to certain abuses
and practices Of 30 called official patronage,
which have come to have the sanction OF
| usage IN the several departments Of our gov
| ernmont, but change in the system OF al-
pointment itself; reform that shall be thor
ough, radical, and complete; a return to the
principles aud practices of the fuuudcIs Of the
government. They neither expected nor de-
sired from public officers any partlsan service.
They meant that public officers should owe their
whole service TO the government and to the pen-
plc They meant that he officer should be scculc
10 his tenure as long az his personal character re-
| NAMED untarnishcd, and the performance OF
| his duties Satisfactory. They held that ap'
pointmeuts TO Office were not to be made nor
expected merely as rewards for partisan serVl-
| ces nor merely on the nomination Of mem bcrS
Of Congress, 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 election, gave prominent place to
the subject of reform of our civil service, recog
nizng and strongly urging its necessity, in terms
almost identical in their specific import with
those have here employed, must be accepted
as conclusive argument 10 behalf OF these
measures. 1t must be regarded as the ex-
preston of the united voice and will OF the
whole country upon this subject. and both po-
litical parties are virtually pledged to give il
their uureserved support.
The President of the United States of necessity
owes his election to Office to the suffrage and jealous
labors of political party, the members of which
| cherish with ardor and regard of essential i'm
porance, the principles of their party organization
But he should strive to be always mindful of the fact
that he his party best who serves the country
| best.
In furtherance of the reform SEEK and in other
| important respects change of great importance,
| recommend an amendment to the constitution pre-
scribng term of six years for the presidential Of
| fee, and forbdding reelection.
With respect to the financial condition of the coun
| try, shall not attempt an extended history OF the
| embarrassment and prostraton which we have suf-
| fered during the past three years. The depression
in sll varied commercial and manufacturing in
throughout the country, which began in Sep
tember 1873, still continues. 1t is very gratifying,
however, to be able to say that there indications
all around US of coming change to prosperous
| times.
| Upon the currency question, intimately connected
it is with this topic may be permitted to repeat
here the statement made in my letor of accepta nce
that in my Judgment the feeling of uncertainty in
separable from an irredeemable paper currency with
it's fluctuations of values Is one Of the greatest oh
| staces to return Of prosperous times. The only
safe paper currency is which rests upon q coin
basis, and is at all times and promptly convertible
| into coin.
I adhere to the views heretofore expressed by me
in favor of Congressional legislation in behalf of
early resumption of specie payment, and am salts
fed not only that this is wise but that the interests
as well as the public sentiment Of the country i'm
| peratvely demand it.
Passing from these remarks upon the condition Of
our country to consider relations with other
lands remird ed, by the interLato la compli
cations abroad threatening the peace of Europe That
traditional rule Of noninterference in the affairs
of foreign nations has proved of great value in past
1 times, and ought to be strictly observed.
| The policy inaugurated by my hOnored predecessor
President Grant, of submitting to arbitration of grave
questions in dispute between ourselves and foreign
| powers, points to a and incomparably the best
insrumentaity for the preservation of peace, and
will, as believe, become a benefccnt example Of the
course to be pursued in similar emergencies by other
| nations
IT. unhappily questions of difference should at any
time during the period of my administration arise
| between the United States and any foreign govern
ment, it will certainly by my disposition and my hope
to aid in their settlement in the Same peaceful and
honorable way, thus securing to 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 4
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 circum-
stances we're, perhaps in no respect extraordinary,
in the closeness and the consequent uncertainty
| Of the result.
For the first time iu the history of the country, it
has been deemed BEST in view Of the peculiar crcum-
stances of the case that the objections and questions
in dispute with reference to the counting of the Elec-
tora votes should be referred to the decision of t-
| bunal appointed for this purpose.
| That tribunal established by law for this colo
purpose, its members, all Of Thorn, of long-es-
abliohed reputation for integrity and intelligence
and, with the exception of those who are also mem
bers of the Supreme Judiciary, chosen equally from
both political parties its deliberations enlightened by
the research aud the arguments of able cOunsel-was
entitled to the fullest confidence Of the American
people, Its decisions have been patiently waited for,
| aud accepted as legally conclusive by the general
judgment of the public. For the present, opinion
will widely vary to the wisdom of the several con.
| illusions announced by that tribunal. This is to be
anticipated in every instance where of dis
pute made the subject of arbitration under the
| forms of law. Human judgment is never unerring,
| and is rarely regarded otherwise than wrong by
the unsuccessful party in the contest.
The fact that two great political parties have in
this way settled dispute, in regard to which good
differ to the facts and the law no ess than as
the proper course to be pursued in solving the ques
ton in controversy, is occasion for general re-
joicing
Upon one point there is entire uuanimity in public
sentiment that conflicting claims to the presidency
must be amicably and peaceaby adjusted, and that
when 80 adjusted the general acquescence of the
ton ought surely to follow.
n hna we'd for Of