Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1880-07-22

peace, to produce sill the necessary I'm
plements Of labor.
It was the manifest intention Of tn,
founders Of the Government to proyid.
fof the common defense not by standing
armies alone, but by raising among tht
people great army CT srtisans, 1hoss
fntelligence and skill should powerfully
contribute 20 the safety and glory Of
| the Nation.
Fortunately for the interests of com.
merce, there is no longer sny formidable
| opposition to appropriations for the I'm
proyement Of our harbors and grea!
nayigable rivers, provided that the ex.
penditnres for that purpose are strictly
limited to works of national import
ance.
The Mississippi River, with its great
tributaries, Is Of such vital importance
to so many millions of people that the
safety of its navigation requires ex-
ceptional consideration. In order to
| secure to the Nation the control Of sll
Its waters, President Jefferson Eegoti-
ated che pm chase of vast territory
extending from the Gulf of Mexico to
the Pacific Ocean. The wisdom of Con-
gress should he invoked to devise some
plan by which that great river shall
cease to be 4 terror to those who dwell
upon its banks, and by which its ship
ping may safely carry the industrial
products Of twenty-five millions Of
people. The interests Of egr!caltur e,
which Is the basis of all our material
prosperity and in which seven-twelfths
of our population are engaged, as we'll
as the interests Of manufacturer and
commerce, demand that the facilities tor
cheap transportation shall be Increased
by the use OF all our great water
courses.
The material interests of this country,
the traditions Of its settlement, and the
sentiments Of our people have led the
Government TO offer the widest hospital
ity to emigrsEts who seek our shores
for new and happier homes, willing to
share the burdens as well as the benefits
of our society, and Intending that their
posterity shall become an undistin-
guishable part of our population. The
recent movement of the Chinese to our
Pacific coast partakes but little of the
qualities Of such an emigration, either
In Its purpose or its results. It Is too
much like an Importation 10 be well
coined without restriction; too much
like an Invasion to be looked upon with
out solIcitude. We cannot consent to
allow any form Of servile labor to be
introduced among us under the guise of
Immigration Recognizing the gravity
of this subject the present Administers
ton, supported by Congress, has sent
TO China commission of distinguished
citizens for the purpose of securing
such modification of the existing
treaty as will prevent the evils likely
to arise from the present situation. 1t
is confidently believed that these
diplomatic negotiations will be success
full, without the loss of commercial In
tercourse between the two Powers,
which promises a great increase OF
reciprocal trade and the enlargement of
our markets. Should these efforts fail,
It will he the duty of Congress to
mitigate the evils already felt, and pre-
vent their Increase by such restrictions
as, without violence or injustice, will
place upon sure foundation the peace
OF our communities and the freedom
and dignity OF labor.
The appointment Of citizens to the
various executive and judicial offices
of the Government ls perhaps the most
difficult of all the duties which the
Constitution has imposed upon the
Executive. The Convention wisely de-
mands that Congress shall cooperate
with the Executive Departments IN
placing the civil service on better
basis. Experience has proved that,
with our frequent changes of Admins
tration, no system of reform can be
made effective and permanent without
the aid Of legislation. Appointments
to the military and naval service are so
regulated by law and custom as leave
but little ground Of complaint. IL
may not be wise to make similar regula-
tions by law for the civil service. But,
without invading tho authority or
necessary discretion of the Executive,
Congress should devise method that
will determine the tenure Of Office and
greatly reduce the uncertainty which
makes that service 30 uncertain and un-
satisfactory. without depriving any
officer of his rights as a citizen, the
Government should require him to dis
charge all his official duties with intel
ligence, efficiency and fsithfulness.
To select from our vast population
those who are best fitted for the many
offices to be filled requires an acquaint-
ance far beyond the range Of any one
man. The Executive should, therefore,
seek and receive the informstion and
assistance OF those whose knowledge of
the communities In which the duties
are to be performed best qualities them
to aid in making the wisest choice.
The doctrines announced by the
Chicago Convention are not the tenn
porary devices of party tn attract
votes and carry an election. They are
deliberate convictions resulting from
careful study of the spirit of our insti-
tutions, the events of our history, and
the best impulses of our people. In my
judgment these principles should con-
troll the legislation and administration
Of the Government. In any event they
will guide my conduct until experience
points out better way. If elected, 1t
will be my purpose to enforce strict
obedience to the Constitution and laws,
and TO promote, as best may, the IN
terest and honor of the whole country,
relying for support upon the wisdom of
Congress, the intelligence and patriOt-
ism Of the people and the favor Of God.
With great respect, am very truly
yours, j. A. GARFIELD. .
ro Hon. (1eoroe 4. Hoar. Chairman of