The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-12-10
STATE or THE COUNTRY.
The Presidents Annual Message

congratulate YOU on the continued and In
creasing prosperity of our country. BY the
favor OF Divine Providence we have been blessed,
during the past year, with health. with abund-
ant harvests, with profitable employment for all
our people, and with contentment at home, and
with peace and friendship with other nations.
The occurrence of the twenty-fourth election
of Chief Magistrate has afforded another OPP
portunity to the people OF the United States
to exhibit TO the world significant example
of the peaceful and safe transmission OF the
power and authority of Government from the
public servants whose terms OF Office are
about to expire, 10 their newly chosen success
ors. This example cannot fail TO impress pro-
foundly thoughtful people of other countries
with the advantages which republican lnstltu-
tions afford The immediate, general and
cheerful acquiescence Of all good citizens In the
result of the election gives gratifying assurance
to our country and to its friends throughout
the world that Government based on the Tree
consent of an intelligent and patrlotlc people
possesses elements of strength, stablnty ana
permanency not found In any other form OF
Government.
Continued opposition TO the full and free en-
joyment Of the rights OF citizenship, conferred
upon the coiored people by the recent amend
ments to the constitution, still prevails III sew
eral of the late slave-holdng States. IL has,
perhaps not been manifested i'll the recent
election to any large extent in acts OF violence
or intimidation. 1t has, however, by fraudu-
lent practices in connection with the ballots,
with the regulations as to the place and manner
of voting, and with counting, returning, and
canvassing the votes cast, been successful in de-
feating the exercise Of the right preservatiye OF
all rights, the right of suffrage, which the con-
stituton expressly confers upon our enfran-
chised citizens.
1t is the desire of the good people of the
whole country that sectionalsm as a factor in
.af,.
that no sec ion OF the country should be united
In solid opposition to any other section. The
disposition to refuse prompt and hearty ODE
dience TO the equal-rghts amendmt nts TO the
constitution Il all that now stands in the way
of a complete obliteraton of sectional lines in
our political contests. AS long AZ either of
these amendments is hagranty vio-
lated or disregarded, it is safe to assume
that the people who placed them in
the constitution, as emb0dying the le-
gitimate results of the war for the
Union, and who believe them to
be wise and nece ssary, will continue to act to-
gether, and to insist that they shall be obeyed
The paramount question still is as to the en-
joyment of the right by every American citizen
who has the requisite qut LITIGATION to freely cast
his vot and to have it honestly counted. With
this question rightly settled. the country will
be relieved OF the contentious Of the past /; by
cones will indeed he bvgones, and political and
cheney OF administration, internal improve
ments, the tariff, domestic taxation, educa-
ton, finance and other important subjects
will then receive their full shass~of atten-
ton but resistance to and nl,.Ltication of
the results of the war will unite together i'm res
olute purpose for their support all who main
tain the authority OF the Government and the
perpetuty OF the Union, and who ad quately
appreciate the value Of the victory achieved.
This determination proceeds from no hostile
sentiment or feeling TO any part OF the people
of our country o. to any of their interests
The involabilty Of the amendments rests upon
the fundamental principles Of our Government.
They are the solemn expression Of the will of
the people Of the United States.
The sentiment that the constitutional rights
of all our citizens must be maintained does not
grow weaker. 1t will continue to control the
Government of the country. Happily, the his
tory of the late election shows that in many
parts of the country where opposition to the
Fifteenth amendment has heretofore prevailed
1t il diminishing, and is likely to cease al
together, if firm and wel-considered &C
ton is taken by Congress. l trust the House
Of Representatives and the Senate. which
have the right 10 judge OF the elections. re-
turns and qualifications of their own members,
will see to 1t that every case of violation OF the
letter or spirit OF the Fifteenth amendment ID
thoroughly investigated. and that no 'enciit
from such violation shall accrue to any person
or party. IL will he the duty of the ExecuIi G.
with -ufiicient appropriations for the purpose
to prosecute unsparn- ly all who have been en-
gagged in depriNing citizens of the rights guar
anteed them by the constitution.
IT il not. however. to be forgotten that the
best and surcst guarantees OF the primary
rights Of citizenship IL to be found III that ca
pacity for self-protC ction which can hclOng ouly
TO n people whose right to universal suffrage Il
supported 10y uniNers, ducation. The meant
tea are, III many cases, wholly inadequate t.
furnish free instruction to all who need it
This il especially true where, before emancipa
ton. the education OF the people was neglect
cd or prevented, III the interest OF slavery
Firmly convinced that the SUBJECT o.
attention of the people Of the Who'll,
country, with view TO wise ant
comprehensive action by the Government o.
the United States. i respectfully recommend
that Congress- by suitable legislation and with
proper safeguards, supplement the local edu'
cational funds in the several States where the
grave duties and re- possibilities of citizenship
have been devolved on uneducaied people, 10y
devoting to the purpose grants of the pubic
lands, and, II nee, ssarv. by appropriations
from the treasury of the United States. What
ever Government can fairly do 20 promote free
popular education ought To be done Wherev'
general education il found, peace virtue and
liberty are secure.
In my former ANIMAL messages, have asked
the attention OF Congress to the urgent neces-
sty OF reformation OF the civil ser>i e sys-
tenn OF the Government. My views conc.raing
the dangers OF patronage, or appointments for
personal or partisan considerations, have been
strengthened by my observation and experi-
ence IN the Executive eff and believe these
dangers threaten the stability OF the Govern
.neDt. Abuses so serous!n their nature can.
not be permanently tolerated. They tend "a
become more al rmiDg with he enlargement OF
administrative service, as the growth of tn,
country in population increases tho number OF
officers and plicemen employed.
The reasons are imperative for the adoption
of fixed rules { r the regulation OF appoint
ments, promotions and removals, establishing
uniform method, having exclusively in view
in every instance, the attainment of the hes,
qualifications for tho position in question
such method a'one rs consistent with the
equal rights of all ciiz' ms. and the most eco
nOmical and efficient administration of the pub
lie business
Competitive exnmnotions. in aid OF impartia
appointments and promotions, have been con-
ducted for some years past in several OF the
Executive Departments, and by nv direction
this svs EN- has b, en- adopted in the Gus on
Houses and Postoffc"s of the larger titles OF
the country. In thu CITY Of New York oyei