Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-07-20
NUMBER ,'7I.Il L %.

own markets with the labor and capital
of foreign producers. We legislate for
the people Of the United States, not for
the whole world, and il is our glory that
the American laborer is more intelligent
and better paid than his foreign compet-
itors. Our country. cannot be independ.
ant unless its people, with their abund-
ant natural resources, possess the requisite
skill at any time to clothe, arm and equip
themselves for war, and in time of peace
to produce all the necessary implements
of labor. II was the manifest Intention
of the founders Of the government to pro-
vide for the common defence not by
standing armies alone, but by raising
greater number of artisans whose intelli-
gence and skill should powerfully con-
tribute to safety and glory Of the nation.
Fortunately for the interests of com-
merce there is no longer any formidable
opposition to the appropriations for the
improvement of our harbors and great
nayigable rivers, provided that expendi-
lures for that purpose are strictly limited
to works of national Importance. The
Mississippi river, with its great tribu-
taries, is of such vital Importance to so
many millions Of people that the safety of
its navigation requires exceptional con-
sideration. In order to secure to national
control all its waters President Jefferson
negotiated the purchase ofa vast territory
extending from the Gulf Of Mexico to the
Pacific ocean. The wisdom of Congress
should be invoked to devise some plan by
which that great river shall cease to be a
terror to those who dwell upon its banks
and by which its shipping may safely
carry the industrial products of 25,OO0,-
900 Of people. The interests OF agricul-
ture, which is the basis Of all our materi-
al prosperity, and in which seyen-twelfths
of our population are engaged, as well as
the interests Of manufactures and com.
merce, demand that facilities for cheap
transportation shall be increased by the
use of our great water courses.
The material interests Of the country,
the traditions of its settlement and the
sentiment of our people have led the gov
ernment to offer the widest hospitality to
emigrants who seek our shores for new
and happier homes, willing to share the
burdens as well as the benefits OF our So
ciety and intending that their posterity
shall become an undistinguishable part OF
our population. The recent movement OF
Chinese to our Pacific coase partakes but
little of the qualities Of such an emigra-
ton, either in its purposes or its results.
1t is too much like an importation to be
welcomed without restrictions; too much
like an invasion to be looked upon with
out solicitude. We cannot consent to
allow any form of service labor to be in
troduced among US as under the guise OF
emigr-tion. Recognizing the gravity OF
this subject the present administration
supported by Congress has sent to China
a commission of distinguished citizens for
the purpose of sucuring such modifica-
ton 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 sue
cessful without loss of commercial inter-
course between the two powers, which
promises q great increase of reciprocal
trade and enlargement of our markets.
Should these efforts fail it will be the
duty of Congress to mitigate the evils
already felt and prevent their increase by
such restrictions as without violence or In
justice will place upon sure foundation
the peace of our communities and the
freedom and dignity of labor.
The appointment OF citizens to various
executive and judicial offices of the gov
ernment is perhaps the most difficult of
all the duties which the constitution has
imposed upon the Executive. The con-
vention wisely demands that Congress
shall cooperate with the Executive de-
partment in placing our civil service on a
better basis. Experience has proved that
without frequent changes Of administra-
ton no system of reform can be made
effective and permanent without the aid
oflegislation. Appointments to the mill
tary and naval service are so regulated by
law and custom as to leave but little
grounds for complaint. 1t may not be
wise to make similar regulations by law for
the civil service, but without invading the
authority or necessary discretion of the
executive, Congress should devise
method that will derermine the tenure of
Office and greatly reduce the uncertainty
which makes that service so uncertain and
unsatisfactory. Without depriving any
officer of his rights as citizen, the gov
ernment should require him to discharge
all his official duties with intelligence.
efficiency and faithfulness. To select
wisely from our vast population those
who are best fitted for the many Offices to
be filled requires an acquaintance far be-
yond the range Of any one man. The ex-
ecutive should therefore seek and receive
information and assistance Of those whose
knowledge Of the communities in which
the duties are to be performed, best quail
fly them to aid in making the wisest
choice.
The doctrines announced by the
Chicago convention are not the temporary
devices of party to attract votes and carry
an election; they are the deliberate con-
victions resulting from careful study of
the spirit Of our institutions, the events
of our history and the best impulses of
our people. In my judgment these prin-
l. I'LL .o.s->l Al l. IL