The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-20

,s.,u,,.,c, 10 the Washington Post.l
M ynnr Ju,y ls.-Dear Sir,-l accept
Tho no. ,,ion assigned me by the great party
wndse action YOU announce. The accept
anco imnlies approyal Of the principles de-
a,.,od hv the Convention. but recent
,,..ees hermit me TO add some expression
- nv own views. The right and duty
% secure honesty and order In popu-
Iar eIac,ions is a matter so vital that
4, rust stand in front OF all others.
Tbe ,uthority OF the National Government
to nreserye from fraud aud force the elec-
lions ot which is own officers are chosen IL
n chief point on which the two parties are
plainly and intensely opposed: Inc aces OF
Congress for ten years nave w new IoIh
and elsewhere done much 10 curD Tue VIC,
Ience and wrong to which tue Da',o. ana
The count have been again ana again SUD-
jecied, sometimes despoilin9 great cilies'
Sometimes sitting the voice OF whole
State, often seating not on! IN ooheress'
I'M on the bench and in legislatures, num-
hers az men never chosen by the people.
The Democratic party, since gaining pos
session of the two houses OF Congress, has
made these Just laws the object OF bitter,
ceaseless assault: and. despite all resistance,
has hedged them with restrictions cunningly
coptriyed tn battle and parayze them. rms
aggressive majority boldly attempted to eX-
tort from the Executive his approval OF
various enactmenis destructive OF these
election laws by revolutionary threats. that
constitutional exercise Of the veto power
would be punished by Withholding the APP
propriaiions necessary TO carry on the Gov
eminent. aud these threats were actually
carried ont by refusing needed appfoprla-
! tons, aud BY forcing an extra session OF
Congress lasting for months, and resulting
in concessions to this usurping demand,
which are likely in many States to subject
the majority to the lawlcss VIII OF MI
nority. Ominous signs OF public DIS
approval alone suppressed this arro'
CANT power into sullen surrender
| for the time being OF part OF It's demands.
The Republican party has strongly APP
proved the stern refusal OF its representa-
lives 10 suffer the overthrow OF statutes be-
lieyed TO be saIutary and Just. Ii has always
insisted and now insists thit the Govern
ment OF tbe United States OF America is
empowered and in duty bound 10 eilectu-
ally project the elections denoted by the
Constitution as national. More than this,
the Republican party holds as cardinal
point in its creed that the Government
should by every means known TO the Con-
stituti on protect all American citizens
ever, where in the full enjoyment OF their
civil and political rights. A. great part OF
its work OF reconstruction, The Republican
party gave .he ballot 10 the emlDcipaied
slave as his right aud defence. A large in
crease in the number OF members Of
Congress. and OF the electoral college from
the former slsye.hodiug states, was the im-
mediate result. The history OF recent
years abounds in evidence that in many
ways and places, especially where their
number has been great enough 10 endanger
Democratic cOntroI, those by whose ele-
walton to citizenship this increase Of repre-
sentation was effected have been debarred
and robbed OF their voice and their yotc.
II is not true that any State statute or coa-
stituiOn in so many words denies or
abridges the exercise OF their political
rights, but the modes employed to bar
their way are no less ei1ectua. 1t Is 4
suggestive aud Startling thought that
the increased power derived from enfran-
chisement OF race now denied lis share
in governing the c)untry-wielded by
those who lately sought the overthrow
Of the GOVERNMENTS now The sole re-
lance to defeat the party which represented
the sovereignty and nationality OF the Ame-
rican people in the greatest crisis OF our
history. Republicans cherish none OF the
resentments which may have animated them
during the ac:ual conflict Of arms. They
long for a full and real reconciliation be-
tween the sections which were needessly
and lameniably ut strife. They sincerely
offer the hand Of good faith; they deeply
feel that the party whose career Is so
illustrous in great and patriotic achieve
ment will not fulfil its destiny until
peace and prosperity are established In all the |
land; nor until liberty OF thought, con- |
science, action, and equality OF oppor- |
tunity shall not be called fJrmaliteS OF
statutes, but living brtbrights, which the |
humble NAV confidently claim and the pow
erlu dare not deny. The resolution refer
ring TO the public service seems to NE desery.
ing OF approval Surely no man should he the
incumbent OF an office, the duties OF which
he l.. for any cause. unfit TO perform, who Is
lacking In the ability, fidelity, or intelligence
which proper administration OF such Office
demands. This sentiment would doubtless
meet with general acquiescence, but opinion
has been widely divided upon the wisdom
ard practicabiIsty OF the various reforma-
tory schemes which nave been suggested.
and OF certain proposed regulations GOV
erniDg appointments TO public office. The
OF such regulations has been dis
trusted mainly because they have seemed
to exalt mere educational and abstract
taste above general business capacity
aud even special fitness for the par
ticuar work in hand. 1t seems to me
that the rules which should be AZ
piled to the management OF the public
service may properly conform in the
main TO such as regulate the conduct
Of successful private business. Original APP
pointments should be based upon ascertain
ed fitness. The tenure OF Office should be
stable. Positions OF responsibility should,
20 far as practicable, be filed by the promo
ion of worthy and efficient officers. The
Investigation Of all complaints and the pun
shment of all official misconduct should be
prompt and thorough. These views, which
have long held, repeatedly declared, and |
applied when called upon to. |
ind embodied in the resolution which, OF
course. approve.
~ Will add that by the acceptance OF
public office, whether high or low, one
loes not, in my Judgment, escape any
II his responsibilities as citizen,
,r lose or impair any Of his rights
is citizen, and that he should enjoy abso-
ute liberty to think and speak and act in
political matters according TO his own will (
md conscience, provided only that he hon.
'rably, faithfully, and fully discharges all
lis official duties"
The resumption Of specie-paymenls, one
II the fruits Of Republican policy, has
brought the return Of abundant pros perity