River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-07-29
Artliur,s Letter.

the ballot and count have been again and again
subjected, sometimes despoiling great cities,
sometimes sitting the voice Of a
whole state, often. seating not only in congress
but on tho bench and in legislatures numbers of
men never chosen by the people The democratic
party since gaining possession of the two houses
of congress has made these laws the object Of
bitter ceaseess assault, and despite all resistance
has hedged them with restrictions cunningY con-
trived to battle and paralize them. This aggrcs-
sive majority boldly attempted to extort from the
executive his approval of various enactments de-
structive Of these election laws, by
REVOLUTIONARY THREATS
that constitutional exercise of the veto power
would be punished by Withholding appropriations
necessary to carry on the government, and those
threats were actually carried out by refusing
needed appropriations aud forcing an extra SEES
sion 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 lawess will of minority. 0mlnous signs OF
public dsapproval alone subdued this arrogant
power into a su,len surrender for the time being
Of part of its demands. The republican party
has strongly approved the stern refusal of its rep
resentatves to suffer the overthrow of statutes be-
lieved to be salutary and just. 1t has always in
sisted and now insists that the government OF the
United States of America is empowered and IN
duty bound to etfectualy protect the elections de
noted by the constitution us national. More than
this the republican 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 en-
joyment Of their civil and political rights As a
great part of it, work of reconstruction the re-
publican party gave the ballot to the emancipated
slave as his right and defense. large increase
in the number Of members Of congress and VI the
electoral college from
FORMER SLAVE HOLDING STATES
was the immediate result.
The history of recent years abound III evidence
that in many ways and in many places, especially
where their number has been great enough to en-
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 vote. 1t is
true that no state statute or constitution in so
many words denies or abrdges the exercise OF
their political rights but bodies employed to bar
their way no less effeetual. IL is a suggestive
and startling thought that the increased power
derived from the Acknowledgement of 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 defeat the
party which represented the sovereignty and ma
tOnality OF the American people IN the great crisis
of our history. The republicans cherish none Of the
resentments which may have animated them dur
ing the actual conflict of arms. They long Tor .
full and real Cancellation between the sections
which were necdlessly and lamentably at strife.
They sincerely offer the hand OF good will, but
they ask in return pledge of good faith. They
deeply feel that the party whose career is so illus
trous in the great and patrioric achievement will
not fulfil its destiny until peace and prosperity are
ESTABLISHED IN ALL THE LAND
nor until liberty of thought, conscience and nc
ton and equality eff opportunity shall not be
merely cold formaliies Of statute but living birth
rights which the humble may confidently claim
and the powerful dare not deny.
The resolution referring to the public service
seems to me deserving of approval. Surely nc
should be the incumbent OF an office, the duties
Of which he is for cause unfit to perform who Is
lacking in ability, fidelity or integrity which a
proper administration OF such office demands
This sentiment would doubtless meet with general
aquiescence. But opinion has been widely divided
upon the wisdom and praeticability OF various re-
fornatory schemes which have been suggested
and of certain proposed regulations governing ar
ointments to public Office. The efficiency of suct
regulation has been distrusted mainly because they
have seemed to exalt more educational and abb
stract tests above general business capacity ano
even special
FITNEss FOR THE PARTICULAR WORK
in hand 1t seems to me ;ha: rules should be ap
piled to the management OF tae public service tina
may be properly cOnforrned to in the main to suci
regulate the conduct Of successful private busi
ness. Original appointments should be based up01
ascertained fitness. The tenure os Office SHOULD
be stable. Positions of responsibility should 81
far as practicable be filled by promotion of worthy
and efficient officers. The Investigation of all com
plants and the punishment of all official miscon
duct should be prompt and thorough.
These views. which have loug held repeatedly
declared and uniformly applied when called upon
to act find embodied in the resolutions. which
5 course, | approve.
l viii add that by the acceptance of public
Office. whether high or low, one does not, in my
Judgment escape any of his responsibility as
cit or inn Of pi.rHt 3
citizen and that he should enjoy absolute libortJ
to think and speak and act in political matters
according to his own will and conscience; pro
vded only that he honorably, faithfully and fully
discharges all his official duties.
THE RESUMPTION or SPECIE PAYMENTS,
one of the fruits of tho republican policy, ha:
brought the return of abundant prosperity and the
settlement of many dstractng questions. The
restoration of sound money, the large reduction
of our public debt and the burden of interest, the
high advancement of public credit, all attest the
ability and courage of the republican party tC
deal with sucn financial problems as may hereafter
demand solution. Our paper currency is now as
good as gold, and silver is performing its legti-
mate 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, depreciated
paper, and every dollar, whether of metal or pa
per, should stand the test of the worlds fixed
standard.
THE vALUEoF POPULAR EDUCATION
can hardly be oyerstated. Although its Interest.
must of necessity be chiefly c0ntided to the volun
tary effort and individual action Of the several
states, they should be encouraged so far the
constitution permits by the generous cooperation
of the national government. The interests of the
whole county demand that the advantages of oul
common school system should be brought within
the reach of every citizen and that no revenues
of the nation of states should be devoted to tho
support of sectarian schools.
Such changes should be made in the present
tariff and system of taxation will relieve any
overbundened industry class, and enable our
manufacturers and artisans to compete successful
ly with those of other lands.
The government should aid works of internal
improvement, national in their character, and
should promote the development of water
courses and harbors wherever the general interest
of commerce requires.
Four years ago as now the nation stood at the
Threshold of presidential election, and the re-
publican party in soliciting a continuance of its
ascendency founded its hope of sneeess not upon
its promises but upon its history. Its subsequent
course has been such as to strengthen the claims
which il then made to the confidence and support
of the country. On the other hand, considerations
more urgent than have ever before existed forbid
the accession of its opponents to power. Thor
success if success attends them must chiefly come
from the united support Of that section which
sought
FoRCIgLE DISRUPTION OF THE UNION,
and which according to all teachings Of past
history viii demand ascendency in tho councils OF
the party to whose triumph it will haye made by
far the largest contribution.
There is tho greatest reason for apprehension
that exOrbitant claims upon the public treasury
BY no means limited to the hundreds of millions
already covered with bills introduced in congress
within the past four years, would DO successfully
urged it the democratic party should succeed IN
experimenting its present control OF the nation
al legislature by electing the executive also. There
is danger in entrusting the sontrol of the whole
law making power of the government to a party
which has in almost every southern state repudiat-
ell obligations quite as sacred as those to which
the faith of the nation now stands pledged.
do not doubt that success awaits the republic
can party and that its triumph will assure just,
economical and patriotic administration. ! am.
respectfully,
Your Obedient servant,
G. A. ARTHUR.
To Hon Geo. F. IToar president Of the nation
oil republican convention.
Railroad Movements in iakota.
Sou4 City journal.
News, believed to be reliable, was re-