Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-01-16

redemption that people of limited means may if they
desire, invest their surplus earnings in government
securities It's impossible to overestimate the value
OF system which shall furnish to all citizens con-
venlent opportunity to deposit small savings
with assurance OF absolute safety and increase
independent of the incidental advantages of dis
trlbutng further portion of our public indebted
less amoug our own people.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
During the year just closed republican institutions
and the permanency of government were sub
Jected to new and unexpected trials. For the first
time in our history, the question TO who was Ie
gay elected president left in great uncertainty
The political campaign had been one of unexampled
activity and enthusiasm and it should occasion
surprise that men form. opinions and were govern
ed more by prejudice than reason. The experiences
of other nations under somewhat similar crcum-
stances were well calculated to inspire grave
in the minds of all rejecting men. 1t therefore
not without reason that the action of congress in or
ganizng the electoral commission was hailed by the
great majority of the patriotic citizens beue-
cent dellverance from great peril They felt that it
was vastly important that settlement should be
had under the form of law, which all good citizens
could accept and recognize conclusive. decision
was rendered. audit became the duty oevery citizen
accept it anda abide thereby. Any attempt, there
fore, to throw discredt upon the decscon made
TO lmpugn the motives or Integrity of any of the
eminent gentlemen composing that tribunal tends to
weaken the public respect for law and should be ul-
! reservediy discountenanced.
No little uneasness is felt in regard to the posi-
bility of recurrence of circumstances similar to
those which necesstated the appointment of the
ELECTORAL ColIHllSSlOn ana DOUBT not you VIII
with me IL the expression of the opinion that it is
the imperative duty of congress to provide such
methods of procedure for conducting future pr, sde-
tial elections will allow the will of the people to
be hoth freely and fairly expressed at the bal box
and as thus expressed ascertained with tny and
without suspicion of fear, favor or hope Of re-
ward.
CONCLUSION.
/ should be doing myself injustice to close this
communication without expression of my earnest
conviction that the president of the United States
with the purest and highest motives, is striving o
execute the high trusts committed to him in the in
terests of the whole people, and that in the efforts
he has made for the pacification of the SOUTH the
correction of abuses in the civil SERVICE and return
to stable currency, he is peculiarly entitled to the
generous and discriminating confidence of his fellow
citizens. ....
Yielding to no man in devotion to the party of my
choice, nevertheless most heartily subscribe the
maxim that he serves his party best who serves his
celntry best. Guided by the spirit of this maxim,
which is only less applicable in state than in notional
| affairs, your labor here, legislators, canno be
otherwise than pleasant to yourselves aud salts
| to your constituents. Guided by it, my constant
purpose will be to cooperate with you to advance
and protect all the varied interests of Wisconsin and
her people WILLIAM Il. SMITH,
MADISON, January 10, 1878.