Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-07-14

doubtful financial experiments. .t-
In reference TO our customs laws,
policy sholld be pursued which will
bring tbs revenues tC the treasury
and will enable the labor and capital
employed in our great industries to
compete fairly in our 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 it is our glory that the
American laborer ia more intelligent
and better paid than his foreign COM
petitor. Our country can not be inde-
pendent unless its people, with their
abundant natural resources, possess
the requisite skill at any time to
clothe, arm and equip themsel es for
war, and in time OF peace to produce
all the necessary implements OF labor.
It was the manif fest intention Of the
founders OF the government to provide
for the common defense, not by stands
ing armies alone but by raising among
the people greater army of artisans
whose intelligence and skill should
powerfully contribute TO the safety
and glory of the nation.
Fortunately for the interests of com
merce, there is no longer any formida-
bic opposition to appropriations for
improvements OF our harbors and
great nsvigable rivers, provided the
expenditures for that purpose are
strictly limited to the woi ks of nation.
al Importance.
The Mississippi river with its great
tributaries is of such vital importance
to so many millions of people that the
safety or its navigation requires excep-
tiOnal consideration. In order to Sc
cure TO the nation control Of all it's ws-
ters, President J Jefferson negotiated for
the purchase of the vast territory ex-
tending from the Gulf OF Mexico to
the Pacific ocean. The wisdom of con.
gress shonld be invoked to devise some
plan by which that great river shall
cease to be terror to those who dwell
upon its banks, and by which lis ship
ping may safely carry the industrial
products of twenty-five millions OF
people.
The interests of agriculture, which
Is the basis Of all our national pros
perity, and In which seven-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 watercourses.
The material interests of this coun-
try, the traditions of it's settlement,
and the sentiments of our people have
led the government to offer the widest
hospitality to emigrants, who seek our
shores for new and happy homes, will
ing to share the burdens as we'll as
the benefits Of our society; and intend
ing that their posterity shall become
an undistinguishable parG OF our pop
ulation. The recent movement of the
Chinese to our Pacific coast partakes
but little of the qualities of such emf
grafton, either in its purposes or it's
results. 1t Ia too much like importa
ton to be welcomed without restric
ton; too much like invasion to be
| looked upon without solicitude. We
| cannot consent to allow any form ol
servile labor to be Introduced among
us under the guise of immigration
Recognizing the gravity of this sub.
| iect, the present administration, sup
ported by congress-, has sent to Chins
q com mission of distinguished gentle
men for the purpose of securing such
modification of the existing treaty q!
will prevent the evils likely to arise
| from the present situation. 1t is con
fidently believed that these diplomatic
| negotiations will be successful withou
| the loss of commercial intercourse be.
| tween the two powers, which promises
a great increase of reciprocal trade anC
| the enlargement of our markets
Should these efforts fail, it will be tn,
| duty of congress to investigate tn,
evils already felt and prevent their in
crease by such restriction Rs, withou
violence or injustice, will place upol
q sure foundation the peace OF Gu
| communities and the freedom aud dig
nifty of labor. .y
The appointment of citizens to th,
various executive and judicial Office
| of the government is, perhaps, tn
most difficult of all duties which tn,
constitution imposes upon the execu
tive. The convention wisely demand
that congress shall cooperate with tn
executive department in placing tn
civil service on better basis. Expe
rience has proved that with our fre
1uent changes of administration n,
system OF reform can be effective AM
permanent without The aid Of legisla
ton. The appointments to the mill
tary and naval service are 30 regulated
by law and custom as to leave but Lit
tie ground of complaint.
It may not be " Use to make simils
regulations by law for the civil ser
vice, but without invading the author
ity or necessary discretion OF the ex
ecutive, congress should devise
method that viii determine the tenur
of Office and greatly reduce the uncer
tainty which makes that service 81
uncertain and unsatisfactory. With
out depriving any officer of his right
az q citizen the government should re
ouire him to discharge all his officia
duties with intelligence, efficiency an,
faithfulness. To select wisely from
our vast population those who are bes
fitted for the many offices to be file,
requires an Acquaintance far beyon,
the range of any one man. The ex
ecutiye should, therefore, seek and re
caive Information and assistance @
those whose knowledge of the com
munities in which the duties are to b
performed best qualities them to aid il
making the wisest choice. $40.
The doctrines raunOunced by TIA
Chicago convention are not Temporary,
devices Of party to attract votes an
carry an election. They are deiiberat
convictions, resulting from a careful
study Of the spirit OF our institutions
the events Of our history aud the bes
impulses of our people. In my judg
ment, these principles sh ould contro
Legislation and administration OF tn
government. In any event. they vii
guide my conduct until experience
points out better way. II elected
will be my purpose to enforce ssfie
obedience to the constitution and tn
laws and to promote. as best i may
, the interest and honoE OF the Who'll
oonnl,y roIyinp for sunr)orf uDor. tn