Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-07-28
Accepting the Nomination for
Vice-President.
A Very Plain and Sensible
Document.
Gen. Arthur's Acceptance.
Gen. Arthur has made public the fol-
lowing letter of acceptance:

NEW IL Rk, JulY 10, lSSU.
DEAR SIR:-I accept the position assigned me
by the great party whose action you announce.
This acceptance implies the approval OF the prin-
ciples declared by the convention, but recent
usage permits me to add some expr ession of my
own views. The right and duty to secure hon.
esty and order in popular elections lts a matter
authority of the national government to preserve
from fraud and farce the elections at which Its
own officers are chosen is a chief point on which
tn two parties are plainly and intensely opposed
TIE acts Of Congress for ten years have In New
York and elsewhere done much to curb the vto-
lence and wrong to which the ballot and count
have been again and again subjected, sometimes
despoiling great cities, sometimes shltCng the
voice of the whole State. After stating not only
numbers OF members chosen by the people, the
Democratic party since gaining possession or the
two houses of Congress has made these laws
the object OF bitter, ceaseless assault, and de-
spite all resistance has hedged them with restric-
tons cuuningly contrived to battle and
paralyze them. This aggressive majority
tive his approval of various enactments
destructive of these election laws, by
REVOLUTIONARY THREATS
that constitutional exercise of the veto power
would be punished by Withholding the aproprla-
lions necessary to carry on the Government, and
these threats were actually carried out by refus-
ing needed appropriations and by forcing an extra
session of Congress lasting for months and re,
sulting in concessions TO this usurp1ng demand
which are likely in many states, to subject the
majority to the lawless will of minority. Omin-
Gus signs of public disapproval a.one suodued
this arrogant power into sullen surrender for
the time being of part OF Its demands. The Re-
publican party has strongly approved the stern
refusal OF its representatives to suffer the over
throw of statutes believed to be sautary and
just. 1t has always insisted, and now insists,
that the Government OF the United States OF
America is empowered and In duty bound to
effectualy protect the elections denoted by the
constitution as national. More than this. the Re
publican party holds as the cardinal point In Its
creed that the Government should by every means
known to the Constitution, protect all American
citizens everywhere in the full enjoyment of their
civil and political rights As a great part OF its
the balloG to the emaLcIpated slave as his r ght
and defense A large increase in the number of
members of Congress snd Of the electoral college
from
FORMER SLAVE HOLDING STATES
was the Immediate result.
The history of recent years abounds In evidence
that in many ways and N many places, especially
danger Democratic control the very men by
whose elevation to citizenship this increase of
representation was effected have been debarred
and robbed of their voice and their votes. 1t is
trQe that State statute or constitution in so
many words denies or abridges thu exercise of
their political ri hts, but bodies employed to bar
Their way are no less effectusl It Is a suggestive
and startling thought that the increased power
derived from the enfranch1sement OF the race
now denies its share IN governing the country
welded by those who lately sought the overthrow
of the Government is now the sole reliance to de-
feat the party which represented the sovereignty
and nationality OF American people In a great
crisis OF history. The Republicans cherish
uone of the resentment which may have animated
Their during the actual conflict OF arms. They
long for full and real reconciliation between the
sections which were heedessly and iamentably
ST strife. They sincerely offer the hand of good
will, but they ask in return pledge o. good faith.
They deeply feel that the party whose career is
so illustrfous in great and patriotic achieve
nent will not fulfill It's destiny until peace and
prosperity are
ESTABLISHED IN ALL THE LAND;
nor until liberty of thought. conscience and &C
ton and equality of opportunity shall not be
merely cold formalites Of statute bnt living birth
rights which the humble may confidently claim
and the powerful dare not deny.
The resolution referring 20 the public service
seems TO me deserving OF approval. Surely no
man should be an incumbent of office the duties
of which he is for q cause unfit TO perform, who
is lacking in ability. fidelity or integrity, which
proper administration ypf such Office demands.
eral acquiescence. But opinion has been widely
divided upon the wisdom and practicabillty of
suggested snd OF certain proposed regulations
governing appointment TO public office. The eff
cheney OF such regulation has been distrusted
mainly because they have seemed to exalt mere
educational and abstract tests above general bus
mess capacity and even special
FITNESS FOR THE PARTICULAR WORK
In hand. It seems to me that rules should be ap.
piled to the management of the public service
that may be properly conformed to in the main
TO such regulate the conduct of successful pri-
vate business. Original appointments should be
naseQ upon dGCcrLalO6Q uLQeeS. Inc tenure OF
Office should be stable. Positions of responsible
ity should, so far practicable. be filled by pro-
motion OF worthy and efficient officers. The
investigation of all complaints and the punish
ment of all official misconduct should be prompt
and thorough.
These views, which have long held, repeat
eddy declared and uniformly applied when called
upon to act, find embodied in the resolutions.
which, of course. approve.
1 viii add that, by acceptance OF public Of
fee, whether high or low, one does not, in my
judgment, escape any of his responsibility
citizen, or lose or impair any OF mis- rights as
citizen, and tnat he should enjoy absolute liberty
to think and speak and act in political matters
according TO his own will and conscience: pro-
vided only that he honorab!y faithfully and fully
discharges all his official duties.
THE RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENT,
one of the fruits of the Republican policy. has
brought return Of abundant prosperity and the
settlement of many distracting questions The
restoration OF sound money. the large reduction
OF our public debt and the burden of interest the
hi IN advancement of public credit, all attest the
ability and courage of the Republican party to
deal with such financial problems as may nereaf
ter demand solution. Our paper currency is now
as good az gold, and silver Is performing its le-
gttimase function for the purpose of change
The principles which should govern the relations
of these elements OF currency are simple and
clear. There must be no deteriorated coin, n o
deprecated paper, and every dollar, whether of
metal paper. should stand the test of the
worlds fixed standard.
THE VALUE OF POPULAR LOCATION
car hardly be oyerstated. Although it's interests
must OF necessity be chiefly confded to the vol
untary effort and individual action of the several
States they should be encouraged SO far as the
constitution permits by the generous co-opera-
ton OF the National government. TIE interests
OF the whole country demand that advantages of
our common echool system should be brought
within the reach of every CITIZEN and that no
revenues of States ehould be devoted to the sup.
port of sectarian schools.
Such changes should be made on the present
tariff and system OF taxation as will relieve any
ov-rburdened Industry or class, and enableFour
manufacturers and artisans TO compete success
fully with those OF other lands.
The government should aid works of internal
improvement, rational in their character, and
should promote the development OF our water
courses and harbors wherever the general interest
OF commerce requires.
Four years 400 as now the nation stood st the
threshold OF Presidential election, and the Re-
pub lean party in soliciting continuance OF its
ascendancy founded it's hope of success not upon
its promises, but upon It's history. Its subse-
auent course has been such as to strengthen the
claims which 1t then made to the confidence and
support of the country. On the other hand con-
siderations more urgent than have ever before ex-
listed forbid the accession of its opponents to
power Their success, if success attends them
Fwnr 4hn