The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-24
Gen. Arthur Accepts.

NEW YORK, July 1S,-Gen G. A.
Arthur, the Republican candidate
for the Vice Presidency. has written
letter to Hon. Geo. F. Hoar, &C
cepting the nomination. In it he
says: 1.-The authority of the nation
al government to preserve from fraud
elections at which it's own officers
are chosen, is a chief point on which
the two parties are plainly and in
tensely opposed. Acts of Congress
for ten years have in New York and
elsewhere done much to curb the
violence and wrong to which the bal
lot and the count have been again
and again subjected. some times des-
polling great cities, sometimes sti-
fling the voice of a whole State often
seating, not only in Congress, but on
the bench and in legislatures. num-
bers of men never chosen by the PEG.
pie. The Democratic party, since
gaining possession of the two houses
of Congress, has made these just laws
the object of bitter, ceascless assault,
and despite all resistance has hedged
them with restrictions cunningly
cuntrived to battle and paralyZe them.
The Republican party has strongly
approved the refusal of its represent
tatiyes to suffer the overthrow of
statutes believed to be salutary aud
Just. 1t has always insisted. and now
insists, that the government of the
United States of America is en-
powered and in duty bound to effect
ually protect the elections denoted
by the constitution as national.
1t is a suggestive and startling fact
that the increased power derived
from the Acknowledgement of the race
now denied its share in governing
the country-Wielded by those who
lately sought the overthrow of the
ance to defeat the party which rep
resented the sovereignty and nations
ality of the American people in the
greatest crisis of our history. Re-
publicans cherish none of the resent
ments which may have animated
them during the actual conflict OF
arms. They long for full and real
reconciliation between the sections
which were needlessly and lamenta
bly, at strife. They sincerely offer
the hand of goodwill; but they ask
in return pledge of good faith.
They deeply feel that the party
whose career is so illustriOus in great
and patriotic achievement will not
fulfil its destiny until peace and pros
perity are established in all the land;
nor until liberty of thouht, cons
science and action and equality of
opportunity shall be not merely cold
formalities of statutes, but living
birth-rights, which the humble may
confidently claim, and the powerful
dare not deny.
The resolution referring to the pub
lie service seems to me deserving of
approval. Surely no man should be
the incumbent OF an Office, the duties
of which he is, for any couse. unfit to
perform, w 10 is lacking IN the abili-
ty, fidelity and integrity which a
proper administration of such Office
demands. This sentiment would
doubtless meet with general acqui-
escence, but opinion has been widely
divided upon the wisdom and prac-
ticabiity of the various reformatory
schemes which have been suggested,
and of certain proposed regulations
covering appointments to public Of
flee. The efficiency of such regula>
tions has been distrusted mainly be-
cause they have seemed to exalt mere
educational and abstract tests above
general business capacity and even
special fitness for the particular work
in hand. 1t seems to me that the
rules which should be applied to the
management Of the public service
may properly conform in the main
to such as regulate the conduct of
successful private business. Original
appointments should be based upon
ascertained fitness. The tenure of
office should be stable. Positions of